Silver: Timeless Elegance
By James Monahan
Silver ranks up in the top metal list, right next to gold. For those who
value simplicity and elegance, and have more practical matters to
consider, silver is a popular choice. And this is not even just for
those who love jewelry.
Silver, through the years, has been fashioned into countless items that
have proven to be indispensable to man. From utensils, accessories,
gadgets, frames, and structures, silver is considered reliable because
it is malleable and is even a good conductor.
If you're considering buying items made of silver, it’s best to first
acquaint yourself with its types:
The first type is fine silver, which is silver's natural state. Its
purity is at a ratio of 99/100. At this state, silver becomes too
malleable, and items tend to be too soft.
Silver has to be mixed, or alloyed, with other metallic components first
to make it hard enough. At that state, it would be durable to be
fashioned into desired products.
The second type is the more popular one, sterling silver. This is a
result of a mixture of 92.5% fine silver with other metal components.
Buyers who wish to purchase products made of sterling silver must look
for the engraved "925" as proof. Sterling silver is meant to be durable
and shiny. Anything less would be fakes.
The third type is silver-plated. This happens when a base metal is
layered with fine silver. It is also has its own sheen and durability,
but buyers have often found that the items have to be coated with silver
periodically, as the silver on the base metal tends to come off with
wear and tear.
The fourth type has more to do with silver jewelry, called vermeil. This
is sterling silver jewelry mixed with a minimum of 100 millionths of an
inch of karat gold through electroplating. This gives the piece an
exquisite look and a slightly different sheen.
History tells that silver has been widely used, even during centuries
past. From battle weapons, flatmore, armors and jewelry, silver has been
considered second only to gold by different races.
Various empires have fashioned this metal into the most intricate
jewelry designs, utensils, treasures, and even foundations. Being a good
conductor, it has also been a major part of scientific and technological
evolutions.
There are currently many mines that produce silver. This is partially
due to its popularity, and partially to its presence all over the world.
Among metals, it is also the most reflective, and this means that
polishing it frequently adds to its sheen.
This is not possible with other metals. Buyers only have to take proper
care of their silver items, as silver is prone to scratches and
tarnishing as the years go by. But its maintenance is inexpensive, and
taking care of it is hardly tedious at all.
Take care of your silver by making sure that it is kept in a cool, dry
storage. Divide it into separate containers to avoid contact with other
environmental elements. If your silver becomes tarnished, have it
polished using dry cloth and a polishing solution. Treat your silver as
you would your other pieces of treasured items.
Silver, when preserved properly, can be as much an heirloom and legacy
to the next generation as items made out of gold. Whatever the occasion,
whether gifting others or yourself, silver is a top choice when it comes
to durability and aesthetics.
James Monahan is the owner and Senior Editor of
TopSilverSites.com and writes expert
articles about silver.
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