Fall 2024 may be ushering in a golden palette, but Sterling Silver will always have a place in fashion-friendly jewelry boxes.
Are you nervous about building your Sterling silver jewelry collection? Worry no more! Today, we explore and debunk the top 5 Sterling Silver Jewelry Myths.
Silver will break.
Jewelry is delicate, but Sterling silver is not significantly softer than gold. .925 Sterling silver is durable jewelry metal. The Mohs scale measures the softness or hardness of materials. Natural chalk is soft. It gets a 1 on the Mohs scale. Sterling silver gets a 2.5, and 24K gold gets 2.5 to 2.53. Stainless steel gets a 4 to 4.5, and diamonds get a 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.
It will lose its shine.
Sterling silver jewelry is a staple in jewelry boxes because of its luster. To keep that luster intact, keep your silver clean. It is not difficult to do (but more on that in a minute).
This myth persists because of silver-plated jewelry you can buy in clothing stores, big box stores, and fashion jewelry outlets.
Sterling silver jewelry is not the low-quality fashion jewelry from our favorite childhood jewelry store. Instead, Sterling Silver is a quality product built to last more than a season.
You can identify Sterling Silver by looking for the .925 stamp, usually on or near the necklace clasp or inside a ring. If it says .925P, walk away. P means plated.
In addition to .925 stamps, you may find vintage and antique pieces stamped .999. The .999 jewelry is Fine Silver, and it will not fade either.
Silver looks cheap.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. If this is an emotional belief, then facts will not change your mind. If you are open to the idea, consider the following questions.
Why do museums showcase stunning historical silver jewelry pieces? Why are Sterling silver jewelry necklaces and earrings all over the runways today? Why does silver jewelry shine up to us from glossy magazine pages? Why does silver jewelry outperform gold jewelry every Christmas?
The short answer to all these questions is that Silver jewelry is beautiful. It is a classy choice. It has historical staying power. It is easy to work with, making it a stunning metal for jewelers and jewelry collectors.
Silver jewelry is hard to care for.
Sterling silver is easy to care for. The butlers and grandmothers of one hundred years ago may have spent long hours polishing silver, but that was silverware, not Sterling Silver jewelry.
Store-bought silver polish is one way to clean your silver jewelry, but there are other, easier, DIY ways. Check out the Pendant and Ring article: How to clean Silver Jewelry, where you’ll find a DIY jewelry polish recipe.
Silver turns copper.
Silver cannot turn copper any more than lead can turn gold.
When jewelry looks silver (or gold) when you buy it and then changes color, it is because the plating has worn off. Some chemical reactions are caused by environmental chemicals, like exposure to salt or chlorine. Exposure can cause plating to wear off faster. Body chemistry, sweat, and product chemicals change how fast the plating wears away.
If you want your silver to retain its color and shine, get Sterling Silver or Fine Silver jewelry. Look for .925 stamps that indicate a jewelry item is Sterling Silver and .999 stamps that indicate Fine Silver.
To make the most of silver-plated jewelry, do not swim, shower, or sleep in it. Wipe it with a clean cloth after you take it off, and store it in an acid-free environment. Paper and plastic contain acids that can cause tarnish. Also, keep your jewelry items from touching each other to prevent the spread of environmental and product chemicals. A sectioned wooden jewelry box is a great way to prolong the life of silver-plated jewelry.
Silver Myths – busted.
With this knowledge, you can be confident about your next silver jewelry purchase. Fine Silver and Sterling Silver jewelry is more affordable than you might think. You won’t have to buy a new piece next month because Sterlin Silver won’t fade. Sterling Silver is versatile, lightweight, and hypoallergenic. Silver is a modern option to grow your jewelry collection, and it lasts.
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