Sterling silver jewelry has earned itself a reputation of being versatile, reliable, and affordable over the last couple of decades because what you see is exactly what you get. Irrespective of where you reside or what your individual preferences are, silver is a common thread that binds jewelry makers and shoppers around the world together.
Take a deeper dive into what makes sterling silver such a hot favorite in the world of jewelry.
Understanding Sterling Silver
Contrary to popular belief, all silver jewelry that you see online or in stores is not pure silver. There are several reasons why jewelers do not use pure or fine silver to manufacture jewelry items and accessories. For starters, it is too soft and prone to damages, meaning a piece made from fine silver won’t last long. To address this, jewelers prefer using silver alloys to craft their products.
Sterling silver is one such silver alloy that is among the most popular materials used by jewelers around the globe. By definition, sterling silver is expected to have a composition of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of other metals like copper. Sterling silver gets its other name from these percentages or portions – yes, it is also called .925 silver.
Top Qualities and Properties of Sterling Silver
So, what is it that makes sterling silver the ideal material for jewelry making? Let us explore the salient features and key properties of sterling silver.
- Hardness
As mentioned above, fine silver is susceptible to losing its shape and getting damaged and that is the primary reason why jewelers prefer working with silver alloys like sterling silver. Sterling silver is harder and more durable in nature, making it perfect for crafting jewelry pieces.
- Versatility
The alloy is easy to shape and this makes it simpler for jewelry makers to craft intricate designs. There is a wide variety of jewelry items that can be made using sterling silver, including several types of earrings, rings, bangles, necklaces, and bracelets. For the buyers, this means endless options to choose from.
- Affordability
While sterling silver qualifies as a precious metal, it is way cheaper than other precious metals like gold or platinum. This aspect makes jewelry made from sterling silver extremely affordable, giving you a great solution for your casual everyday jewelry needs.
- Appearance
The fact that sterling silver looks exactly like pure silver means that as a buyer, you are getting silver jewelry for a fraction of the actual cost of silver. Sterling silver jewelry has a gorgeous sheen which tends to retain its shiny properties over long periods of time if you keep your jewelry in top shape.
- Maintenance
It is quite easy to keep your sterling silver jewelry clean and shiny. All you have to do is ensure that it stays away from humidity and moisture, maintain a regular (quarterly) jewelry cleaning schedule, and remove the sterling silver jewelry when you expose yourself to water. Read on to find handy sterling silver maintenance tips.
- Keep your sterling silver jewelry away from harsh chemicals that may be present in cosmetic products and cleaning agents.
- Jewelry must be kept away from things that contain sulfur, which includes onions, eggs, and wool.
- At home, you can use warm water, gentle soap, and a soft toothbrush to clean any grime or dirt that gets accumulated over a period of time. Always remember to wipe your jewelry clean and dry with a soft microfiber cloth.
- Get your sterling silver jewelry polished every year to retain its original look, shine, and sparkle.
- Keep your sterling silver jewelry in a cool, dry place. Use a quality jewelry box or ziplock bag if possible.
Shop for Sterling Silver Jewelry Online
At P&K Jewelry, we offer the best selection of dynamic sterling silver jewelry, including:
- Sterling Silver Bracelets
- Sterling Silver Necklaces
- Sterling Silver Rings
- Sterling Silver Bangles
- Sterling Silver Earrings
As one of the largest wholesale sources of sterling silver, we offer the latest designs and trending styles to our customers. Our belief that the world is an inspiration drives us to adapt our design processes to create the most exquisite designs that are based on the latest trends and styles.
Our jewelry is sourced from countries like India, China, Mexico, and Thailand. With the choicest of materials and industry-standard jewelry making processes, thousands of retail and wholesale customers in the United States trust P&K Jewelry for their needs. Since 1995, we have established ourselves as the leading source of sterling silver jewelry.