Sterling Silver is very easy to test. Silver-plated brass, nickel silver or low quality silver alloys will turn green when a drop of nitric acid is applied because of the high copper content. Sterling will turn a creamy color. When testing suspect goods, a small file can be used to cut through any plating or lacquer in a discreet area on the item. However, if a quality mark is used, the mark must be accompanied by a manufacturer's hallmark that is a registered trademark or the name of the manufacturer.
If there is ever a question about the content of a piece of jewelry, the manufacturer can be traced using the hallmark stamped on the piece. This accountability is particularly important in gold jewelry. A devious manufacturer could mark a piece 18kt when, in fact, it was 10kt and worth one-third less on gold content alone. For many reasons, not all silver jewelry is marked.
Makers may choose to not spend so much money for a formal hallmark. Small-time artists and Native American silversmiths rarely trademark their work. Furthermore, the sizes or designs of some pieces do not lend themselves to quality markings. Findings and components, for example are often not quality stamped.
Users of finished jewelry, however, can choose to attach a mark to the finished piece for example on a chain tab. The purity of silver lands on a numeric scale, or rating system, based on 1, Pure silver gets a rating. In order for a silver to be classified as sterling silver, it must meet at least a So, as you can see: silver is sterling silver. Conversely, metals that contain less than Remember how sterling silver and silver are the same thing?
One of the best things about sterling silver is that it can be styled with anything. From casual dinners to formal occasions, sterling silver adds that classy touch of shine that elevates style without overpowering it.
Here are some popular types of sterling silver jewelry:. Pendants: Jewelers and designers use sterling silver as an elegant and reliable metal casing for pendants to hold jewels and stones. Necklaces: Sterling silver is often used for necklace chains and pendants. Earrings: Often, earrings are made with cheaper metals which cause irritation and can lead to bleeding and infection.
Bracelets: Add a touch of shine with the flick of a wrist with a gorgeous sterling silver bracelet. In fact, this word is popularly used as a label, when in fact silver should always be clearly identified with a hallmark representing its standard grade and quality. With that information in mind, always look for the hallmark as jewelers and artisans are legally obligated to stamp their pieces for potential buyers.
Inexpensive metals like nickel or brass can cause infections, especially with earrings. Browse our sterling silver jewelry collection to find the perfect new piece to add to your jewelry box. Words nearby sterling silver sterlet , sterling , sterling area , sterling bloc , Sterling Heights , sterling silver , Sterlitamak , stern , sternal , sternal angle , sternalgia.
How to use sterling silver in a sentence Clad in a blue, striped button-down, a silver watch adorning his left wrist, Huckabee beams on the cover. Think About It. God and my Neighbour Robert Blatchford. An alloy that contains at least All rights reserved.
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