Silver: Timeless Elegance
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.