Silver

Silver is a metallic chemical element that is soft, white and lustrious. The silver symbol on the periodic table is Ag for silver "argentum". Jewelry made with silver and stamped 925 is called sterling silver. Sterling silver is harder than pure silver and is made of 92.5% pure fine silver and 7.5% cooper. In the United States, in order for jewelry to be called silver it has to use 92.5% pure fine silver to be marked 925.

Silver is produced as a by-product of cooper, gold, lead and zinc refining under a system called electrolytic. Most sterling silver jewelry generally is plated either with pure fine silver or rhodium to give a shiny finish on the jewelry pieces or silverware. Silver is less expensive than gold. Consumers can find a wide variety of sterling silver jewelry used with gemstones.

There is a new process for making sterling silver called Argentium sterling silver made with germanium. It is sterling silver with 92.5% pure fine silver and it replaces some of the 7.5% cooper with metalloid gemanium. Argentium sterling silver has a higher tarnish resistance.

Silver has been used for thousands and thousands of years as utensils and ornaments as well as coins and ways to prevent certain infections. The Anglo-Saxon word for silver is seolfor or silofor. During the Ancient Greek and Roman times, silver was used to prevent infection. The Middle Ages made way for silver to be used as a way to disinfect water and food during storage. It, also, was used to treat burns and wounds. By the 19th century, sailors and world travelers would use silver coins in barrels of water and wine to maintain the purity of the liquid. Silver has been mined for thousands of years and the discovery of silver in the Americas both South and Central America made way for more silver production. One of the largest mining of silver occurs in Peru and Mexico as of today.

Silver is durable, sturdy, and dependable and makes an ideal setting your gemstones in your jewelry. However, to get a lifetime of enjoyment from your silver jewelry be sure to keep it clean and safe. Silver does tarnish when exposed. The best way to keep silver clean is to use a silver cleaner or cloth.

Do not wear jewelry during rough work or when handling harsh chemicals. Store it in a box away from other pieces to preserve it from being scratched or tarnished.

Physical Properties of Silver

• Melting point: 1234.93 degrees K
• Symbol: Ag
• Crystal System: Face-centered cubic
• crystal Hardness: 2.5 Mohs'
• Cleavage: None
• Fracture: None
• Specific Gravity: 25
• Color: white
• Luster: bright, shiny, metallic

PrincessJewelry.com has a wide selection of silver jewelry.