| This guide will help you learn to identify quality in | | | | for jewelry and household accessories because of |
| silver jewelry and accessories. | | | | its combination of beauty and durability. |
| Sterling Silver | | | | Acceptable quality marks for sterling silver |
| Pure Silver, also called fine silver, is relatively soft, | | | | include:v Sterlingv Sterling Silverv .925 |
| very malleable, and easily scratched so it is | | | | Care |
| commonly combined with other metals to | | | | With proper care, your fine quality silver will last a |
| produce a more resilient product. The most | | | | lifetime. To minimize scratches and other damage, |
| popular of these alloys is sterling silver, which | | | | store your silver jewelry either in a cloth pouch or |
| consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. | | | | in a separate compartment in your jewelry box. |
| Although any metal can make up the 7.5% | | | | Avoid exposing your silver to household chemicals |
| non-silver portion of sterling, centuries of | | | | when cleaning with bleach or ammonia, or when |
| experimentation have shown copper to best | | | | swimming in chlorinated water, as these chemicals |
| improve the metal's hardness and durability | | | | can damage silver. |
| without affecting its beautiful color. | | | | Clean your Silver REGULARLY!!! |
| The small amount of copper added to sterling has | | | | Care should also be taken to prevent silver tarnish |
| little effect on the metal's value. Instead the price | | | | build-up a dulling that naturally occurs when silver |
| of the silver item is affected by the labor involved | | | | reacts with sulfur or hydrogen sulfide in the |
| in making the item, the skill of the craftsperson, | | | | surrounding air. To clean your silver, use specific |
| and the intricacy of the design. | | | | formulas to remove tarnish. You can find fine |
| Identifying Quality Sterling Silver | | | | silver polishes, solutions, or cloths designed to |
| All high quality silver items are stamped with a | | | | remove tarnish. These are available at most |
| "Sterling Silver" or "925" mark. This mark identifies | | | | hardware stores or specialty craft stores. Tarnish |
| the precious metal content of the jewelry. | | | | is most easily removed when it first becomes |
| Silver Alloys | | | | visible! So keep an eye out for it! Although |
| Because pure silver is so soft, it should only be | | | | wearing your silver often is the best way to |
| used when malleability is required, such as in | | | | prevent tarnish from building up, regular cleanings |
| handcrafted jewelry featuring weaving and other | | | | of all your silver items will prevent tarnish and |
| intricate designs. Sterling Silver is most often used | | | | keep your silver bright, sparkling, and beautiful. |