How To Buy Silver Jewelry

Silver is an extremely popular modern jewelry due to its understated appearance and simple elegance. Before investing in any type of jewelry, it is important to understand the basics of the product at which you are looking.

The pros and cons

The most popular reason for investing in silver jewelry is that it is ordinarily less expensive than gold or platinum settings. The white-grey color is often less flashy than other metals, making silver accessories easier to match with different types of clothing. Silver also has the benefit of being easier to wear for people with sensitive skin. However, silver is also softer than gold or platinum, making it less suitable for everyday wear. While silver is a popular metal for earrings or bracelets, silver is not an optimal metal for wedding rings or other pieces you intend to wear every day. Silver is prone to oxidation, meaning that frequent wear can result in the jewelry turning a black, tarnished color.

The different types of silver

Before investing in silver jewelry, it is important to understand the different types of silver that are used to make silver. The best type of silver is usually sterling silver. True sterling silver is a composition of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. Another hallmark type of silver is what is known as Brittania silver, which has a composition of 95.8 percent silver. You may also see silver designated as Mexican silver, which is 95 percent silver. Quality silvers will have one of these hallmarks, usually imprinted on the jewelry. If the jewelry you are shopping for is a silver plate, it is costume jewelry and not true silver. Another term used by sellers is Alpaca silver, a fake silver made of different metals. You may also see the term "silvertone" used, meaning that the jewelry is made from a silver colored metal and not true silver. If you are looking for quality jewelry, avoid purchasing costume type jewelry.

There are a number of different types of silver jewelry on the market of various qualities. The color and quality of true silver is quite elegant and an excellent material for many pieces of jewelry. Be certain to know the advantages and benefits of silver jewelry and make certain that you know the quality of the materials you purchase.

The best type of silver is usually sterling silver