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Origins of Silver
The area of Anatolia (modern Turkey) is considered the first major
source of mined silver, having provided the resource to craftsman
throughout Asia Minor. Silver from the Anatolian region largely served
as the source of silver for the Western cultures flourishing in the Near
East, Crete, and Greece. Silver craftsmanship was centered largely in
Asia Minor and Greek Islands, along with areas of mainland Greece
dominated by the Mycenaean culture. Asia Minor provided most of the
supply for the flourishing silver market.
Origins of Sterling Silver
Sterling silver may have been known first as "Easterling Silver". The
term "Easterling Silver" was used to refer to the grade of silver that
had originally been used as the local currency in an area of Germany,
known as "The Easterling". This "Easterling" consisted of five towns in
the eastern part of Germany which banded together in the 12th century
under the name of the Hanseatic League. The Hanseatic League proceeded
to engage in considerable commerce with England. In payment for English
cattle and grain, the League used their local currency. This currency
was in the form of 92.5% silver coins. England soon learned that these
coins, which they referred to as "the coins of the Easterlings", were of
a reliably high quality and hardness.
The Chinese were reluctant to disturb the Earth's spirits by mining and
removing precious metals but used silver and gold when they were
available through trade with the West. This occurred during the Tang
dynasty and continuously from about 1600. The Chinese used silver for
cups, bowls and dishes.
A Very Popular and Ancient Precious White Metal
This white metal has had an illustrious history, at times being more
highly valued than gold. Long used as a medium of exchange, its name is
synonymous with money. Today, silver has found many new uses including
photography, batteries, auto glass defogger, magnetic strips, etc. Its
most outstanding feature is its luster. Silver will take a higher polish
than any other metal. It has the singular drawback that it tarnishes.
Metal smiths often use this feature to highlight certain design
elements. Modern chemicals easily remove tarnish, but the fact remains
that silver needs more care than the other precious metals.
Silver is more abundant and much less expensive than
gold or platinum. This has a lot to do with its
popularity. Some jewelry styles, like the Native
American, rely strictly on silver. Silver is more
difficult to work than gold, because it conducts heat so
well. Beginners often learn soldering on this less
expensive metal. When they graduate to gold, they find
it easier to control the heat.
What is Sterling
Silver?
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5%
pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The
sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal
fineness of 925. Because pure silver is so soft, it
should only be used when malleability is required, such
as in handcrafted jewelry featuring weaving and other
intricate designs. High-end Silver jewelry is often...
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History of Silver
Silver has always been held in high esteem and displayed
as a status symbol since it was mined approx. 4,000 BC
in Asia Minor. In the earliest Egyptian records, it was
considered more precious than gold. Interestingly, with
all of silver's magical power...
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Silver in Medicine
Silver has been used in the
health field since, well, for as long as there has been
a health field. It was used in times of antiquity for
fighting germs and healing tissue, and those uses have
continued to this day. It has been undergoing a rapid
resurgence in use...
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How to Care for Your
Silver Jewelry
As in any jewelry including
gold, platinum jewelry studded with diamonds or precious
colored stones, we recommend that you check your jewelry
every 6 months Prongs can wear thin and let stones fall
out. Chains and Pearl Strands weaken with wear...
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Back to 'All About Silver' Summary
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5%
pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. Sterling silver is
the standard for charming beautiful white cool luster of silver and is
the standard for high quality silver jewelry. The beautiful white metal
of silver has had an illustrious history, at times being more highly
valued than gold. Long used as a medium of exchange, its name is
synonymous with money...
Read more...
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