Silver & Sterling Silver Jewelry

     Silver jewelry is bought most often by people under the age of 30. It is much more affordable than gold or platinum. As well, there is a far greater selection of unique silver jewelry. Silver is so much cheaper than other types of metal that designers have more freedom in trying out new designs. Silver in its natural form is very soft and would not make good jewelry.

     Sterling silver is used for jewelry and silverware and in made up of 92.5 % silver. The silver is mixed with metal alloys that make it stronger. When purchasing silver jewelry it is important to make sure that it is marked with "925" somewhere on it.

     The finishing and polishing of silver jewelry is usually done by hand, which is a labour consuming process. Out of all of the semi-precious metals, silver is has the highest reflectivity. An expert jeweler can polish silver jewelry to a high sheen - almost like a mirror. Therefore, when some silver looks different than others - it is due to the amount of polishing the silver has received.

     There is one inconvenience to owning silver - it tarnishes over time (gold and platinum will not). It will turn greenish-black if left unpolished at months at a time. Therefore, when owning silver, you should be prepared to polish it every few months with a polishing cloth and solution.

     Pretty much any type of jewelry that exists can be found in silver. Here is a list of some common things you will find:
- Bracelets, Earrings, Key Rings, Zipper Pulls, Pendants, Barrettes, Rings, Pony tail holders, Charm bracelets, Body jewelry - toe rings, belly button rings, Belt Buckles, Shoe charms, Broaches, Cuff Links

Price Range:
     The price you will pay for silver varies mostly depending on where you purchase it from. For example, from a small kiosk - you may pay only $10 for a ring, but from a higher end jewelry store you could pay 10 times as much. The prices do not really vary for a reason - there is no such thing as better quality silver. The only main difference is that the sheen may be better on the silver in a jewelry store.