Silver is an inexpensive but high-quality metal that is perfect as a gift for a small holiday, as well as for a declaration of love. The most attractive thing about it is the value for money. Products from this precious metal:

• look great;

• have a pleasant and soft shade;

• brightly shiny, if not specially oxidized to create a matte antique finish;

• match with formal and leisure outfits;

• suitable for all skin tones.

About what samples silver has, we will discuss in this article.

What are silver samples?

Pure silver is very soft and easily damaged. Therefore, it is often mixed with other metals that improve its properties, especially hardness. Copper is usually added to the white-gray precious metal. Then its purity is determined based on the ratio of silver to copper. Then a brand is applied to the jewelry, which numerically expresses the quality of the silver.

In addition to the most common sterling silver 925 and 999, there are also 900, which was previously used for the manufacture of jewelry, 800, used for the manufacture of cutlery, commemorative coins, ingots and medals.

What are the samples of silver?

Sterling silver (sample 925) is a metal alloy containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% impurities. Most often, the added copper creates a slight haze, sometimes a red or purple patina. Corrosion of silver is caused by hydrogen sulfide in the air, so jewelry should always be safely stored in a jewelry box or jewelry box. Sterling silver is used in jewelry to make rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Sample 925 is very well known all over the world. All jewelry that you will find in our catalog are made of this silver.

German silver, or German silver, is an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc. Released without trial.

Niello is an alloy of silver, copper and lead that is used to enamel jewelry.

Electrum is an alloy of silver and gold with other naturally occurring elements. It was very popular in jewelry making in ancient Egypt.

There are also brass alloys, which are coated with a thin layer of pure silver, which peels off over time.

Rhodium-plated silver plated with a thin layer of rhodium, a precious metal of the platinum group. It was discovered at the beginning of the 19th century and takes its name from the pink compounds it forms (rhodon = Greek roses). In nature, it is usually found in its pure form and together with other precious metals such as platinum (Urals) or gold (South America).

Rhodium is a completely white metal that is used to coat silver or gold jewelry to improve its properties. It increases the hardness and durability of jewelry and protects it from corrosion. Jewelery covered with this precious metal:

• have a bright luster;

• more wear resistant;

• hypoallergenic.

Rhodium treatment protects products from darkening and damage. It gives the products a characteristic slightly matte glow. Their appearance is reminiscent of much more expensive white gold. At first glance, rhodium-plated silver and gold jewelry is indistinguishable from those not modified in this way. The difference is noticeable only after a few months of wearing. Rhodium-plated jewelry should be checked regularly every 2-3 years and re-plated with a thin layer of metal.

Oxidized or oxidized silver is reminiscent of old classic pieces. In some places it is covered with a layer of oxides, due to which it turns black and acquires its original appearance. Oxidized silver jewelry is sure to please all lovers of vintage, slightly dark style and antique jewelry.

In addition to the above types, gilded silver jewelry is produced. They have a decorative surface that better resists corrosion and weather conditions. Gold-plated yellow or pink jewelry is cheaper than natural jewelry. They are hypoallergenic and more resistant to corrosion. The most common method is gilding, in which an object is suspended in a gold-making bath, and the passage of a current allows a layer of gold of any thickness to be deposited on it.

What kind of silver is there?

Regardless of which type of silver you choose, remember to always check its fineness.

Purity is indicated by the manufacturer in the hallmarking or spectral analysis department. The sample shows how much pure silver is contained in a particular metal. The most common is 925 sterling silver, and in this form the precious metal is used by jewelers in the manufacture of jewelry. The number shown means that anything labeled with trial number 925 is 92.5% pure.

The purity of silver is indicated in thousands or ppm, for example 0.925, Ag925 or 925/1000. The weight of silver is recorded and controlled in hundredths of a gram, for example 236.58 g. In practice, however, whole grams are counted.

What are the signs of silver samples?

Stamping informs the buyer about the authenticity and purity of the jewelry or component. Finished jewelry products are marked with special marks, which are called «brand». Marking is done by embossing or laser.

By the type of brand, you can track the manufacturer of jewelry. Most often it is 2-3 letters or a specific number with a number. The shape of the stamp shows what metal and what purity the product weighing more than 3.49 grams is made of. The exception is small parts, the marking of which with the mark of cleanliness is impossible for technological reasons.

Samples for silver are as follows:

What is the best silver sample? Many consider 925 sterling silver to be the highest quality. However, on the market you can also find beautiful jewelry made of silver of the lowest standard, the advantage of which is a lower price.

In addition, what is the sample of the silver item, pay attention to the shape of the hallmark. It means the precious metal from which the jewel is made:

• knight — gold jewelry;

• woman — silver;

• horse — platinum;

• dog — palladium.

If it is not clear what kind of sample the silver items you like have, it is likely that these are its cheap substitutes. Only a professional can distinguish a fake by appearance. However, after a few days the difference will become apparent. High-quality silver stays shiny and shiny for a long time, while silver substitutes will quickly lose their luster, warp and scratch.

The only exception is silver jewelry weighing up to 3 grams. According to the legislation of many countries and states of the world, they are not branded. But they must have a mark of purity and a mark of the manufacturer.

Knowing what samples of silver products are, you can distinguish real jewelry from fake ones. Buy goods only in trusted stores, and not from hands and at shady auctions. The low price should definitely raise doubts. Real silver will always be more expensive than fake silver. Also pay attention to the marking applied to the product. If instead of silver it has the word MET on it, it means that you are dealing only with silver-plated goods. An interesting method of identifying silver is to apply a magnet to it. If the jewelry is attracted, then it is made of base metal.

SILVER JEWELRY SHOP SILVERS