The Rise of Silver
The value of sterling silver is rising. Although it is currently
hovering around $8-$9 per ounce and once was as low as $4 per
ounce in 2001, silver has shown the ability to earn as it once
topped $49 per ounce back in 1980. There is a resurgence in the
interest in silver jewelry especially as more manufacturer's
such as Tiffany $ Co. focus more attention on their silver
product lines. The quality of silver when coated with rhodium, a
precious metal, can rival white gold in shine and sharpness.
Silver has been used for thousands of years in dining utensils,
ornaments and as coinage in numerous monetary systems. In fact,
the word "silver" can be translated in 14 different languages as
"money". Silver has the
highest electrical conductivity of all metals including copper.
Its use is not widespread in all things electrical, however, due
to its costliness and tendency to tarnish, although because of
its high conductivity it is commonly found in computer parts.
Silver has always played second fiddle to gold generally but
there are a few societies in history such as ancient Egypt and
the middle ages in Europe, where silver was considered more
valuable than gold. Today's state of silver is, however, a
matter of popularity and not necessarily value.
In modern times silver is used most in the area of photography
in the form of silver nitrate which is a corrosive light
sensitive ingredient used in film. Silver is also used to
produce the highly reflective surfaces of mirrors through a
process called silvering. The practical nature and application
of silver is apparent not only to industrial types but to the
average consumer. Silver jewelry, given its beauty, quality and
inexpensiveness has become a highly sought after commodity.
Silver jewelry is
usually produced with 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper as 100%
silver would simply be too soft to use in usable jewelry.
The only drawback to silver is its tendency to tarnish. Tarnish
is basically a layer of corrosion that naturally develops over
silver as it is exposed to oxygen. Scientists have tried to
prevent tarnish by adding different alloys which have helped
decrease tarnishability. There are some new developments in this
regard as scientists at Sheffield Hallam University have been
attempting to produce a new type of silver alloy which will be
more resistant to tarnish, called Carrs Lustre Silver. There are
ways to prevent tarnish from occurring in caring for silver
jewelry, including the use of low abrasive phosphate free
detergent cleaner or chemically treated jewelry cleaning cloths.
Some even use toothpaste although they may be left with
perceivably dull scratches.
Silver jewelry is gaining popularity with a consumer public
which is interested in affordability, style and quality. When
polished, silver shines as gloriously as white gold. Retailers
find that consumers are buying silver engagement rings for daily
use as they store their diamond and gold rings for special
occasions. Young people who want to express themselves with
jewelry are turning to silver as a suitable alternative to
expensive gold jewelry. Online retailers like
jewelrypayless.com, bluenile.com and tiffany.com are expanding
their silver product lines in anticipation of more demand as the
rise of the silver jewelry industry continues.