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What is Sterling
Silver?
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5%
pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The
terms "sterling" and "pound sterling", seem to have
acquired their meaning over a period of time, and from
several convergent sources. The first mention is that of
"sterilensis" in 1078, and by the 13th century the term
sterling had appeared. "Sterling" is believed to come
from the Old Norman French esterlin (meaning little
star) and Old English stiere (strong, firm, immovable).
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
finished with rhodium giving it the appearance of
platinum and is generally regarded as tarnish resistant.
Fine silver (99.9% pure) is generally too soft for
producing large functional objects; therefore, the
silver is usually alloyed with copper to give it
strength, while at the same time preserving the
ductility and beauty of the precious metal. Other metals
can replace the copper, usually with the intent to
improve various properties of the basic sterling alloy
such as reducing casting porosity, eliminating firescale,
and increasing resistance to tarnish. These replacement
metals include germanium, zinc and platinum, as well as
a variety of other additives, including silicon and
boron.
Acceptable Quality Marks for Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is the standard for charming beautiful
white cool luster of silver and is the standard for high
quality silver jewelry. It is long lasting as opposed to
silver (or gold) plating which can wear down. Silver
when properly maintained, will yield generations of
enjoyment.
Most high quality silver items are stamped with a
"fineness" or "quality" mark. This mark designates the
precious metal content of the jewelry, and under federal
law, must be accompanied by a maker's mark or registered
trademark. Acceptable quality marks for sterling silver
include the following. Look for the fineness mark and
the maker's mark on the underside of the silver item you
are considering to ensure the quality.
Sterling | Sterling Silver
| Ster | 0.925
Other Silver Types
Sometimes you will hear
other types of silver used in coins and even in jewelry.
Here is what it means:
Nickel Silver or German Silver
A mixture of nickel, copper and zinc that resembles
silver and was used beginning in the 1700s in
Silver-plated items.
Silver 800
An alloy of 80% Silver and 20% alloy used in casting
because of its increased strength.
Vermeil
Gold plated Silver used in the eighteenth century.
Why Alloy Silver with
Other Metals?
Silver is usually alloyed with copper to enhance its
durability and prevent damage to the metal. It is
relatively soft, very malleable, and easily damaged so
it is commonly combined with other metals to produce a
more durable product. The most popular of these alloys
is sterling silver, which consists of 92.5 percent
silver and 7.5 percent copper. Although any metal can...
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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...
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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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Price of Silver
Silver, like other precious metals, may be used as an
investment. For more than four thousand years, silver
has been regarded as a form of money and store of value.
However, since the end of the silver standard, silver
has lost its role as legal tender in the United
States...
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The Healing Power of
Silver
In general, Silver is believed to benefit circulation,
help lungs and throat, and detoxify the blood, to aid in
the treatment of degenerative brain diseases, balancing
of hormones and chemicals and improvement of nerve
impulse transmission. They also use it...
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Myths about Silver
The
information provided here by Pippin Bass Jewelry is not
intended to provide spiritual advice or spiritual
guidance.
Legends of Jewels, Quartz
Mythology, Myths about crystals and myths about jewelry;
Some of those ancient myths and legends have come down
intact through the centuries. Others have evolved and
mutated as result of the input of other cultures...
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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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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...
Read more...
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