How to buy silver jewelry? The question may baffle you. You already have several jewelry items (of several metal settings) in your jewelry box. Some are yellow while others are white. You bought them because they made a perfect match with the gemstones or the colors resonate with your personality or lifestyle—without ever attaching any deeper meaning or significance to the metal they were set in.
Well, this article is going to open things up a bit for you. The “yellow” and their various shades are, of course, made of gold. The “white” and their different shades are an interesting mix of white gold, silver, platinum (such as the one in this Mappin Webb review), and, in rare cases, titanium (like the one in this Lazy Jewel review). And next to white gold, silver is the most common metal for jewelry making (see chart).
This article shall focus on silver. So read on to know why.
How to Buy Silver Jewelry
Silver is classic. It is timeless, valuable, and long-lasting. And its history as a jewelry item goes as far back to ancient Greeks (or even further). Silver mining is thought to have started more than 5,000 years ago, and Greece was a significant silver production hub as early as 1200 B.C.
All You Need To Know About Silver
As ancient as it is, silver jewelry didn’t explode until the 19th century. Cultures around the globe started crafting stunning silver jewelry items—from indigenous Americans to top European designers.
Since then the demand for silver has sky-rocketed and it remains strong today. It is a hot commodity among jewelers and collectors.
The science of silver
Silver is a naturally-occurring metal that is mined to bring it to the surface. Today’s major silver mines are in Mexico, Bolivia, Poland, Australia, Turkey, and Peru.
Once on the surface, as ores, it is crushed into smaller pieces and then mixed with lime, sodium cyanide, and cement-mixing material to form heaps.
Then fine zinc dust is added to the heap to precipitate the solid silver metal, which is then pressed into silver bullion bars.
Silver is a white metal, very similar to tin, zinc, cadmium lead, bismuth, and antimony. As a pure silver metal, it is soft, hence, it has to be alloyed with other metals to make it tougher and stronger.
Jewelers find silver an ideal metal for jewelry because it doesn’t corrode and cannot be damaged by water. It is also resistant to harmful acids, alkali, and other types of moisture. When heated to high temperatures, it becomes soft and malleable, making it perfect for intricate jewelry designs.
Metaphysical properties of silver
Other than its elegant beauty, wearing silver jewelry is also vaunted to help balance the mood and increase energy levels. It has inherent properties that help improve circulation, maintain general body temperature, and cancel out electrical disturbances in the environment.
On top of the above, wearing silver jewelry is known to be good for your health in various ways, such as:
Anti-bacterial agent
Some studies show that silver has both antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It can destroy bacteria, fungi, and certain viruses.
Its antibacterial property is due to its positively charged silver ions, (Ag+), 21 and 22. These silver ions use certain mechanisms to attack bacteria. Though unclear how silver kills cells, experiments show that it does.
Silver is known to have a long history of helping fight infection, and helps in the prevention of cold and flu. It helps heal wounds and is even helpful in the treatment of arthritis and some forms of cancer.
The metal is also used in wound dressing, lotions, and medical equipment as it is believed to prevent infection. External wounds may be patched up with dressings containing silver sulfadiazine or silver nanoparticles. In fact, there are companies selling an entire line of silver-based health products.
Helps in internal heat circulation
People and mammals are warm-blooded. Meaning they are built to keep their body temperature within a tight range, around 37 degrees centigrade. If a person’s body temperature strays too far from this value, one can develop hyperthermia (abnormally high body temperature), or the opposite, hypothermia. Either way, it can be fatal if not attended to immediately.
Fortunately, wearing silver jewelry is known to help regulate the body’s internal heat. Research shows that silver jewelry helps in balancing moods, and increases energy levels. Silver’s inherent properties are believed responsible for this. It improves body heat circulation and cancels out electrical disturbances in the environment.
Sterilization agent
Silver is often used as an alternate sterilization agent to chlorine, which is corrosive or can lead to the production of hazardous by-products. As a sterilization agent, silver fends off viruses, resulting in the avoidance of some medical issues.
Silver has been used as an antibacterial agent for thousands of years. And because of its antimicrobial properties, it has been re-introduced into many applications in recent years such as water treatment, as well as nutritional supplements, and other medical applications.
Immune system booster
Your body’s antibodies, white blood cells, and other chemical elements and proteins all work together to protect you from any pathogen by recognizing them as threats to your body’s general health. Silver is one of those elements that supercharges your body’s immune system, helping you to remain healthy.
All human beings and animals have a certain amount of silver inside their system. Though not a vital element, people with low silver levels in their bodies are susceptible to common illnesses like the common cold and flu, among others. Many scientists believe that silver deficiency is one of the primary causes of immune system problems.
Silver ions activate mast cells (white blood cells found in the connective tissues of the body, especially under the skin), which are vital components of the immune system. They are responsible for the body’s generation of allergic responses, infection resistance, and wound healing.
Indicates acidity
Silver is a metal and just like any other metal, it reacts by changing its color when in contact with toxic substances. For example, if, after long use, your silver jewelry turns bluish, it means your body’s salt level is high.
Sweat contains sulfur and amino acids, which may react to your silver jewelry. So, if your silver jewelry loses its silvery color, it’s probably a good time to limit your intake of acidic foods or carbonated drinks.
Most Commonly Used Silver for Jewelry
There are several types of silver used in jewelry—some are more pricey than others. But the most common are:
.999 Silver (99.9% Pure!)
This is the purest form of silver used in jewelry. This is the closest you can get to pure silver jewelry. It is called in the trade by .99 because it is technically 99.90% silver.
This is the highest quality silver you can buy. And if you compare this to other types of silver of lower concentration, you can easily see the difference in shine and luster.
The downside is that it is quite soft. And because of this, it is vulnerable to scratches and damage. It may be the shiniest, but not the best in terms of long-term use.
Silver-Filled Jewelry
This is the newest type of silver for jewelry use. It is made up of an outside plating of sterling silver around a core of brass. To make the composition tough, the plating is fused over and around the brass with pressurized heating.
Silver-filled jewelry is the latest type of silver to hit the market, especially when silver prices soar. It is ideal for affordable jewelry items such as silver rings, necklaces, and bracelets.
Sterling Silver Jewelry
No doubt, you must have heard of sterling jewelry. It’s because this is the silver type commonly used in jewelry.
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver and copper to make the resulting metal more durable and less soft. The alloy usually has a purity of 92.5%, meaning that 7.5% is made up of copper or another metal (usually nickel or zinc).
This silver alloy is technically the standard used in global silver markets, including jewelry and finance. Have you ever heard of the Pound Sterling?
Quality silver jewelry and accessories are usually stamped “.925 quality” on the inner surfaces to signify that they are real sterling silver jewelry. Sterling silver is the silver of choice for designers and jewelry-makers—and customers as well.
And if you are wondering what is the best silver to buy for jewelry? Sterling silver is the obvious answer.
Non-Tarnish Silver
Argentium silver is the new kid on the block where silver jewelry is concerned. It is a brand of modern tarnish-resistant silver alloys containing either 935% or 96% silver, which eliminate the need to prevent the metal from tarnishing. However, whereas sterling silver has copper as the main alloying element, Argentium silver has additional contents of germanium, zinc, and boron.
Argentium silver is made from 92.5% silver, and the rest is a mix of copper and germanium. Since silver is so naturally soft, germanium is added to harden the metal. This hardening helps protect against tarnishing.
This metal alloy came out of the need for a really tarnish-free silver. And it’s becoming popular among silver jewelry aficionados. It is giving sterling silver stiff competition except for one thing – it is more expensive. Although they are both stamped .925, germanium is a rate metal, making Argentium more pricey.
Tips on Buying Silver Jewelry
Before venturing out to buy silver jewelry, you must first settle the question, “how can you tell good silver?”
The jewelry market—all types—is rife with products that are real and fake. In fact, it is within the realm of the that the latter is more the rule than the exception. But this does not mean you can’t find a really good deal.
Now to answer the question, make sure to scrutinize the pieces for any hallmarks indicating fine silver. Stay away from those which are deceptively inexpensive. Price is a good indicator of how good a jewelry item is.
Check its authenticity or, better still, perform some simple physical tests. If that is not possible, consult an appraiser. Only buy it from reputable silver jewelry stores.
Silver jewelry is exquisite. And buying one with fine quality and price can be difficult with so many dealers around—online or off. But it is not impossible if you follow these simple steps:
Be sure of the quality
Check for stamps on the inner surfaces. If pure silver, it should be stamped 999 or 925 if silver sterling. Anything with less silver content will not keep its original color for long.
If they are not stamped, then go somewhere else, unless you have complete trust and confidence in the jeweler.
Before buying the item, take the time to look for imperfections. Check the strength of the clasps, links, and earring posts. In a sense, these last-minute checks are covered by the question, “what should I look for when buying a sterling silver chain?”
Should I buy silver or sterling silver?
It depends on your lifestyle and budget. Silver is more expensive than sterling silver as it contains a higher amount of silver. Sterling silver, on the other hand, is an alloy of inexpensive metals.
Silver is more lustrous and shiny. But it is soft and susceptible to scratches and damage. Meanwhile, sterling silver is tougher and can stand more abuse in daily wear.
One thing to keep in mind though, jewelry is best worn if matched with the right kind of attire. If your closet is full of evening gowns and other party dresses, silver jewelry is more appropriate. But if you are on the casual side, sterling jewelry will be just as great.
Mind your budget
“Variety’s the very spice of life. That gives it all its flavor.” – William Cowper
And this is never more true than when buying silver jewelry—especially if you are on a budget. For example, you don’t have to buy multiple silver necklaces. Instead, buy one or a couple but pair them with multiple and different pendants. Or you can buy stackable rings (like the one in this Slate Tell review), which you can either wear as a single ring or a stack of different rings. And a bracelet with open links can be worn with detachable, and different, charms.
These combinations not only give you a wide array of variety in your fashion wear but will also save you money.
Where to buy them
Silver jewelry can be bought in jewelry stores, booths, department stores, and from independent jewelry designers. You can even purchase them online. Be sure, however, that they are reputable and reliable, and have good return policies.
Now, that you have a better idea of how to buy silver jewelry, you may want to know more about sterling silver. Check out our article, “Seeing Silver: 7 Reasons to Start Buying Sterling Silver Jewelry.”
