Silver jewelry buying guide:
Shopping for jewelry can be fun and exciting, especially when you show off your new jewelry to the world. However, it can get a little overwhelming. With so many pieces of jewelry to choose from and so many different prices for what appears to be the same piece of jewelry, it's invaluable to do some reading before you go shopping. Of course, it's important to have a basic knowledge of precious stones, but silver deserves some of your attention as well. There are too many jewelers out there who will mislead you with false descriptions and take your hard earned money for something that turns your skin green!
Silver is actually one of the most used metals in the world. It is very soft in its purest state. It's as soft as gold actually. This is why silver is generally alloyed with another metal, usually copper. However, to be considered genuine (or sterling silver), jewelry must be made of 92.5% silver. There are two other smaller grades of silver available for purchase. Coin silver is made of 90% silver. Silver plated is simply a layer of silver bonded to a base metal (through a very thin layer on the outside).
Now that you know the terms, there are a few things you can do to help you have the best possible experience when shopping for silver jewelry. First of all, it is very important that you trust the store/jeweler you buy from. If your jeweler isn't willing to walk you through the jewelry buying process and help you understand the terminology, that's a good sign you should shop elsewhere.
When buying silver jewelry, make sure that there are no visible blemishes or defects on the jewelry. Check that the claws or other fasteners work and are secure.
Remember! When you do buy a piece of silver jewelry, always look for the mark 925, 0.925 or Sterling Silver, this is proof that the silver you buy is 92.5% pure, rather than with a lower percentage of silver, which is an imitation made with others alloys or that are plated with only a thin layer of silver. A lower silver content can cause your silver jewelry to darken or turn green. If the silver content is higher than 92.5%, the jewelry may be too soft and will not last for everyday wear.
Gemsheaven offers a design service where you can design your own piece of jewelery (gold or silver) at an incredibly favorable price.
Shopping for jewelry can be fun and exciting, especially when you show off your new jewelry to the world. However, it can get a little overwhelming. With so many pieces of jewelry to choose from and so many different prices for what appears to be the same piece of jewelry, it's invaluable to do some reading before you go shopping. Of course, it's important to have a basic knowledge of precious stones, but silver deserves some of your attention as well. There are too many jewelers out there who will mislead you with false descriptions and take your hard earned money for something that turns your skin green!
Silver is actually one of the most used metals in the world. It is very soft in its purest state. It's as soft as gold actually. This is why silver is generally alloyed with another metal, usually copper. However, to be considered genuine (or sterling silver), jewelry must be made of 92.5% silver. There are two other smaller grades of silver available for purchase. Coin silver is made of 90% silver. Silver plated is simply a layer of silver bonded to a base metal (through a very thin layer on the outside).
Now that you know the terms, there are a few things you can do to help you have the best possible experience when shopping for silver jewelry. First of all, it is very important that you trust the store/jeweler you buy from. If your jeweler isn't willing to walk you through the jewelry buying process and help you understand the terminology, that's a good sign you should shop elsewhere.
When buying silver jewelry, make sure that there are no visible blemishes or defects on the jewelry. Check that the claws or other fasteners work and are secure.
Remember! When you do buy a piece of silver jewelry, always look for the mark 925, 0.925 or Sterling Silver, this is proof that the silver you buy is 92.5% pure, rather than with a lower percentage of silver, which is an imitation made with others alloys or that are plated with only a thin layer of silver. A lower silver content can cause your silver jewelry to darken or turn green. If the silver content is higher than 92.5%, the jewelry may be too soft and will not last for everyday wear.
Gemsheaven offers a design service where you can design your own piece of jewelery (gold or silver) at an incredibly favorable price.