Sterling Silver Jewelry

Sterling Silver Ring

Millions of people love the look of sterling silver jewelry, and fortunately, it's easy to keep this popular metal in top condition. The Internet is also a great place to buy silver jewelry.

Silver Facts

Silver is a highly desirable metal, valued for its brilliant shine when polished. Its beauty and malleability make it a favorite material with jewelry makers everywhere. However, silver's softness also presents a problem, since it's far less durable than other jewelry-making metals, such as titanium and surgical stainless steel. To strengthen the material, silver must be mixed with another metal to form a stronger alloy.

Sterling silver is most commonly formulated by combining silver and copper. To be labeled "silver" in any form, the silver content of a piece must be no less than 92.5 percent. In this instance, copper makes up the remaining 7.5 percent of the sterling silver alloy.

Although the addition of copper strengthens the silver, it also throws a variable into the mix. Copper tends to tarnish, which is why sterling silver is prone to develop a dark, dull patina as the metal reacts with your body chemistry and other atmospheric elements.

In many instances, this patina actually enhances the design of a particular piece, collecting in the crevices and looking as though it was intended as part of the original design.

Sterling is extremely versatile, and artisans can easily mold or hammer it to create all sorts of patterns and designs, which makes it a great choice for finely detailed pieces like Celtic and Native American jewelry.

Finding Sterling Silver Jewelry

Most jewelry stores carry only a limited amount of sterling silver, but there are plenty of online retailers that have a wide range of selections:

  • SilverMessages carries story beads, men's jewelry, and wedding bands, all in sterling silver.
  • SportsFanFare features sterling silver pendants and bracelets with your favorite sports team logo, like this Philadelphia Phillies pendant.
  • Overstock.com is another good choice. One of the best features of this site, besides the great variety in their 500+ silver rings, is that shipping only costs $2.95.
  • Morning Jewelry has a huge line of sterling silver jewelry, including brooches, ankle bracelets, children's jewelry, and unique charms.

Cleaning Your Sterling Silver

You can clean your sterling jewelry if you feel it's necessary, but many people enjoy the way their rings and bracelets look as they age. Here are a few ways to clean your pieces without damaging them.

  • Polishing cloths: Silver polishing cloths are very soft and allow you to buff away tarnish without scratching the metal or any gem stones that may be incorporated into the piece.
  • Dips: Tarnish dips will easily remove build up, but remember to always use fresh dipping solution straight from the bottle and to discard any leftovers. Make sure not to use dips on porous gem stones, such as turquoise, since the stone can be damaged.
  • Pastes and creams: Although effective, pastes and creams are difficult to remove from small crevices you'll find in most jewelry detail. Gems may also be damaged by pastes and creams if they absorb any of the cleaner.
  • Alternative household cleaners: You should never use harsh household cleaners on jewelry. However, some people do get good results from soaking their jewelry in mild dishwashing detergent. Be sure to thoroughly rinse and dry your pieces when you're finished.
  • Toothpaste: Sometimes used as an inexpensive jewelry cleaner, it's not recommended since the abrasive material in toothpaste can scratch your jewelry. Your best bet is to spend a few dollars for a professional jewelry cleaning solution, available at your local jewelry store.

Silver's Versatility

Many people realize that sterling silver jewelry is a great value and is often the best way to express the intricacies of unique designs. It can look casual or formal, depending on the style, and is a great addition to any jewelry collection.