| Silver has been used for jewelry since 3500 BC | | | | "European" silver can irritate your skin-some |
| when the Egyptians created ornaments out of | | | | European silver is .800 or 80% silver and 20% |
| silver. The word "sterling" is short for "Easterlings" | | | | copper. the silver does not tarnish-the copper in |
| a form of money used in 12th century England. | | | | the alloyed metal does. |
| The demand for silver jewelry continues to grow. | | | | CARE OF STERLING SILVER- |
| It can be elegant yet trendy. There are many | | | | Silver tarnish build-up, a dulling that naturally occurs |
| unique designs that can reveal each one of our | | | | when silver reacts with sulfur or hydrogen sulfide |
| unique personalities. Silver is a wonderful neutral | | | | in the air, can be prevented by using polishes |
| color trend today. | | | | formulated specifically to remove tarnish. Rinse |
| Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% | | | | with clear water. |
| copper. The copper is necessary for durability and | | | | Wearing your silver jewelry often is the best way |
| strength since 100% pure silver is too soft to hold | | | | to prevent tarnish build-up. Regular cleanings with |
| up on its own. Any metal can make up the 7.5% | | | | a soft 100% cotton polishing cloth will keep your |
| but copper has proved to be its best companion | | | | silver jewelry bright and shinning and prevent |
| which has improved the metals' hardness and | | | | tarnish. To minimize scratches and other damage |
| durability without affecting its beautiful color. The | | | | store your silver jewelry in a cloth pouch or in a |
| small amount of copper added to sterling has | | | | separate compartment in your jewelry box. |
| very little affect on the metals value. Instead the | | | | Avoid exposing your sterling silver jewelry to |
| price of the silver item is affected by the labor | | | | household chemicals when cleaning with bleach or |
| involved in making the item, the skill of the | | | | ammonia, swimming in chlorinated water such as |
| craftsperson and the intricacy of the design. | | | | pools or hot tubes. Avoid using toothpaste or |
| Sterling silver is generally used in the United | | | | other abrasives to clean your silver jewelry. This |
| States, and that is what most people think of | | | | is not an accepted practice by fine jewelers. |
| when they see silver. Lower percentage silver like | | | | |