Monday, March 28, 2011

Purchasing Silver.Ag Silver Jewelry

By Jan Pavlik


Many women are tired of gold jewelry or pieces made from other precious metals. Others want great looking pieces that are more affordable than those made from other metals. Silver jewelry is a great option for anyone who wants reasonable pricing without sacrificing style or craftsmanship.

Pure silver has a few characteristics that do not make it good for making jewelry or other items. It is harder than gold but in its pure form is still very soft and malleable. This may mean that pure silver will not hold up well to daily wear.

Another issue that many people have with their pieces is that they can tarnish. This is a process by which the surface will darken. Tarnishing occurs as the surface of the metal reacts to the oxygen in the air. Copper turns blue green and silver turns a deep gray that is almost black.

Instead of unalloyed metal, you may want to look for pieces where the base metal has been combined with other metals in order to give it more desirable properties. Sterling silver, a mixture of silver and copper, is much better for use in jewelry and other items that may need to take a bit of wear and tear. This is because it is much harder and more durable than pure metals would be.

Once you know that you are looking at sterling pieces you will often be pleased to find that you can purchase many different pieces. Anything that can be made from gold can also be made from sterling or pure metal. Often, pieces such as earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces will be made from this metal. Some pieces may use precious or semi-precious stones to embellish the designs and others will simply use wire work or carved shapes in order to give a piece a beautiful look.

Look for pieces at stands, markets and jewelry stores. Make sure that they are made out of sterling rather than pure metal and you will have a better chance of finding durable pieces. Also look for items that fit your personal style as you are more likely to wear them. You may also be able to find items online and these websites can help you get great pieces with ethnic styling that may not be available anywhere else.




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