Fine Silver

Different Types of Surface Effects with Silver Jewellery

Silver jewellery remains very popular, silver is a cool-toned metal and is seen as sharper and more modern and designers like it for its minimalistic approach as well as its vintage feel on more traditional designs.  It also is quite affordable when compared with gold and other metals which are increasingly more costly.  

However there is more to silver than one would imagine, as there is a choice of finishes and different colours that silver can be treated to which give different effects, i.e. bright, naturally tarnished, controlled oxidisation and vermeil.

Unfortunately when exposed to the air, sterling silver will tarnish and it is up to you whether you polish it to keep it bright and shiny or let it tarnish naturally (and usually unevenly).  Sterling silver tarnishes because of the 7.5% copper part of the alloy, which also strengthens it as ‘all’ silver (fine silver) is softer.  Fine silver takes longer to tarnish and might be something to look out for if you prefer less cleaning work as long as it is treated gently it will be fine for necklaces and earrings but not heavy duty jewellery such as rings and bracelets.  

The new argentium silver is clever as it is heavily tarnish resistant – it might need a polish on occasion but generally speaking the addition of germanium into the alloy means that the germanium gives it a tarnish resistant quality.  So argentium silver is extremely useful to place next to items which cannot be cleaned easily as they may be too small, or get damaged with a silver dip – i.e. pearls and porous gemstones like turquoise etc and for anyone who leads a busy lifestyle this new type of silver is going to be very popular. 

Sterling silver can be deliberately oxidised to darken – this can range from a darker pewter coloured silver to a deep matt black colour and this sort of effect is a nice change from the bight shiny silver.  This effect happens in the presence of an oxidising agent and the longer the item is left in the chemical bath the darker it becomes.  These items should not be rubbed. Many items these days are mixing bright and oxidised silver together and also with gold to make mixed metal jewellery which is totally stunning.

Ah so what if you like the colour of gold as much as silver? Well look for vermeil jewellery.  This has a 22 or 24 carat gold plated on to sterling silver. This is electro-plated but a thicker coating than ordinary gold plating.  Vermeil is a very useful addition to your jewellery wardrobe in terms of price.  Do not rub vermeil hard though, like any plating it can rub off but it is fine to spruce up vermeil in a silver dip from time to time.

About the Author

The author loves all types of handmade jewellery. For additional information, please visit http://blog.kyrenedesigns.com.

JUNK SILVER OR .999 FINE SILVER? – DAVID MORGAN

Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinders $120.00 Conical steel burrs precision-made within 1/250 of an inch produce maximum aroma and full-bodied flavor from every bean. Multiple gear-reduction motor is engineered to produce the slowest grinding action resulting in the highest precision grind for ultra-smooth taste. With a choice of 16 grind settings, from espresso fine to percolator coarse, the accurate and exact computer-controlled process ope…

Omega VRT350 Heavy Duty Dual-Stage Vertical Single Auger Low Speed Juicer $378.95 The Omega Model VRT350 VERT Juicer is a revolutionary product that features the high efficiency of a masticating style juicer in a vertical design. The VERT is designed to be compact, contemporary and productive. A processing speed of 80 rotations per minute prevents the oxidation and degradation of freshly juice product and an oversized spout serves up drinks with style and efficiency….

OXO Good Grips Salt and Pepper Grinder Set $39.95 Don’t be limited in the coarseness of the grind with your salt and pepper mills; start using OXO’s Good Grips grinders. Pre-filled with delicious sea salt and black peppercorns, the grinders use superior ceramic grinders that do not absorb odors and flavors, and are constructed of clear acrylic with stylish stainless steel accenting. Simply rotate the large tabs to select your grind size, from fin…

Naked States [VHS] $19.95 Art, publicity, and “the politics of nudity” go under the cultural microscope in this award-winning documentary. Photographer Spencer Tunick specializes in nudes–large groups of them, usually in public places. Naked States follows Tunick from one of his many arrests in New York through a national tour in a quest to get a nude photo in each state and a gallery showing at the end of it. Naked State…

900 Fine: Story of Carson City Silver Dollar [VHS] $12.98 …

Sharpie Metallic Fine Point Permanent Markers, 2 Silver Markers (39108PP) $1.45 Perfect for marking dark surfaces and feature a quick drying ink that is permanent on most hard to mark surfacesFade and water resistantNontoxic ink Opaque metallic ink…

Household Essentials 80-Pocket Hanging Jewelry and Accessories Organizer, Natural Canvas $16.50 Jewerly Org. 80 Pkt.Aluminum Hanger80 pocket organizer offers double sided storage. Takes up less than 2′ of closet space. Clear pockets allow you to see pocket contents! Aluminum hanger included. Folds easily and fits into luggage for traveling. Patent protected…

20pc MICRO-DRILL BITS INDEX 61-80 w/ Plastic Case $4.80 20pc MICRO-DRILL INDEX 61-80 – METAL – WOOD – PLASTIC – HSS…

The Dick Van Dyke Show – The Complete Series $83.44 Before The Dick Van Dyke Show, suburbia was never portrayed on television as a haven of sophistication. We never followed Ozzie Nelson to work. And we never, ever fantasized what Ward and June Cleaver did behind closed doors. But Your Show of Shows veteran Carl Reiner’s groundbreaking series broke the staid, sitcom mold. Just consider Mary Tyler Moore’s Laura Petrie, the ravishing wife of Dick Van…

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World $2.99 …