Jewellery Made From Several Types Of Silver.

Throughout the long term, we have been asked a lot of questions about the different types of silver used in the cutting-edge, vintage, and antique jewelry we sell. So read on for a helpful list of answers to the most asked questions on silver jewelry.

1)What is Sterling Silver?

Silver is a soft white malleable metal known for having the best electrical and thermal conductivity, and the highest reflectivity of any metal. It is one of the first five metals ever to be discovered along with gold, tin, lead, and iron. Silver items have been tracked down dating back to 4000 BC. When silver is extracted from the beginning is generally blended in with other ores like galena and argentite. It is then expected to go through a course of refining to extract the silver. The extent of the refining system determines the purity and value of the silver that is created.

A decimal numbering system called “millesimal fineness” is used to determine the purity of the silver delivered for example .900 silver is made of 90% silver and 10% other metals.

Sterling silver jewelry or “925 silver” is essentially an alloy made of 92.5 % silver and 7.5 % copper.

As silver in its original form is quite soft and fluid it is blended in with other metals usually copper, zinc, or nickel to increase its hardness and durability. This allows it to be used in jewelry, coins, photography, electronics, and other items.

Sterling silver is popular for jewelry making as it is soft and malleable. The cost of silver is also much lower than the cost of gold, making it more affordable for the larger population.

The 7.5% copper element in sterling silver means that it can tarnish, however, it can easily be cleaned to bring back its bright shiny silver look. The majority of silver jewelry today will be sterling silver. Sterling silver is not suggested though for fine jewelry with costly gemstone settings because of its soft nature. Platinum or gold are often used instead as the harder nature of these materials means that the gemstone settings are more secure and less prone to damage.

2 )What is Fine Silver?

 Fine silver is defined by its purity and it is 99.9% unadulterated silver. It is cleaner than sterling silver (92.5 % silver). Its soft nature means that it can be worked into extremely fine wires or beaten into sheets that are adequately thin to see through.

Fine silver (sometimes also called coin silver) was used for making silver coins until around 1837. Fine silver is generally too soft for commercial or jewelry utilization other than for bezel wire, as its softness means it can be easily shaped around stones.

It is commonly used in electrical wiring and also for investment items, for example, silver bullion bars, adjusts, and coins.

3 )What is 830 Silver?

830 silver is a type of silver often found in silver jewelry from Scandinavian countries. It is real silver with a reasonably high purity level. The 830 number means that the jewelry is 83% silver and 17% alloy.

Although less unadulterated than 925 sterling silver or fine silver, one advantage of 830 silver is that it is somewhat more durable. The jewelry marking of “830” or “830S” should be visible on the piece

4 )What is 800 Silver?

800 Silver is similar to 830 silver but is slightly less unadulterated. It comprises 80% silver and 20% alloy. It is commonly found in jewelry from Italy and Germany.

5 )What is European Silver?

 European Silver, also commonly alluded to as “Continental silver“, is a wide definition that generally alludes to all jewelry and silverware created in the European Continent.

This “European” or Continental description is generally intended as in opposition to “English silver” and applies to silver items that don’t have proof of recognizable British or American silver marks. It is a wide category that comprises silver from many countries including Italy, Germany, Portugal, Austria, and Spain.

6 )What is 900 Silver?

 900 silver is made of 90% silver and 10% alloy and therefore has a relatively high purity level. Sometimes called “coin silver” it was commonly used in more established American coins. The majority of coins delivered before 1965 in America were made of 90% silver and 10% copper. 900 silver is also found in silver jewelry and other items from Germany, China, and Latin American countries.

7 )What is Mexico Silver?

Mexico has a long history of silversmithing and is one of the worlds leading makers of silver.

In the 1700s rich deposits of silver were found in Taxco, Mexico. Taxco became known as a vital place for the production of fine silver jewelry and silver objects.

Most silver in Mexico is a least .925 silver, with purity ranging from 925 silver up to .999 fine silver.

8 )What is Britannia Silver?

 Brittania silver is an alloy comprising 95.8 % silver with the remainder usually of copper. It is softer than sterling silver.

It was introduced in Britain in 1697 as the legal standard for “wrought plate” to replace sterling silver to work on the coinage of the time. After complaints from the trade that it was too soft and difficult to work with sterling silver were reintroduced as the standard for wrought plate in 1720. Britannia silver remained an optional standard for silversmiths until 1999. Since then, it is denoted by the hallmark number 958 with the Britannia image being optional. The silver bullion coins of the Royal Mint in London known as “Britannia” were made in Britannia standard silver until 2012, when they began using 999 unadulterated silver.

9 )What is Nickel Silver?

Nickel silver is a term for a metal alloy of copper with nickel at times combined with other metals, for example, zinc tin lead, and cadmium.

The reason for its name is its silvery appearance, however, it contains no actual silver except if it is plated. Nickel silver first became commonly used as a base metal for silverware and silver-plated cutlery. It is used in costume jewelry, zippers, keys, and coins amongst other items. Another term for Nickel silver is German silver.

10 )What is Silver Plated Jewelry?

 Silver-plated jewelry is when a thin coating of unadulterated silver is applied over other base metals – often brass is the base metal used. The technique was first evolved in the 1830s and went on to become broadly used. It gives benefits like the prevention of corrosion, and further developed conductivity.

It was also helpful for the decoration of jewelry and marked down the cost of jewelry compared to strong silver items.

Silver-plated jewelry is usually seen in inexpensive costume jewelry. The drawback of silver plate jewelry is that as the silver coating is thin it can tarnish, and wear. or easily be damaged showing the base metal below.

Additionally, on the off chance that nickel is present in the base metal, certain individuals can experience a dermatitis-type allergic reaction.

11 )What is Gold Vermeil?

Gold vermeil (also known as silver gilt) is gold-plated sterling silver and is viewed as a more affordable option than strong gold jewelry. The gold layer that is applied to the sterling silver is extra thick (around five times thicker than gold plating), and this gives the piece a hard-wearing quality gold finish.

12 )What is the difference between silver and vintage silver jewelry?

Silver items classed as jewelry are those pieces that are at least 20 years old. Antique silver jewelry pieces are those which are at least 100 years old.

Silver hallmarks on jewelry can give information on the type of silver, 900, 925, or 830, etc, the place of origin and the year the item was made.