Sterling Silver

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Silver Jewelry: A Classic Way to Add Elegance to your Look

Silver jewelry has been adorning people for some 4,000 years. That's what makes it a classic look for today and tomorrow.

Silver was first mined 4,000 years ago in what is now called Turkey. For a long

time, Turkey was the dominant supplier, but the mantle was later passed to Greece and then Spain. Today, the honor belongs to Peru and Mexico, which are said to mine 75 percent of today's silver.

But no matter where the silver for your jewelry is mined, you know you can trust this precious metal. Today's most popular silver is called sterling silver, which is actually just 92.5 percent silver. The silver is mixed with a small amount of copper, zinc or nickel for a good reason. This strengthens the naturally soft silver and makes it far more durable. You definitely want other metals in your silver to be sure your jewelry stands the test of time and wear.

Silver is used to make all types of jewelry – necklaces, bracelets, rings and charms. It comes in a highly lustrous finish, an oxidized finish or it can be coated in enamel. Silver works well with both precious and non-precious stones, sometimes giving the appearance of white gold at a far less expensive price. Silver can have a hammered finish, a texture or a smooth finish. Basically, silver is a very versatile material.

Here's a look at how silver serves as the foundation for some classic pieces of jewelry:

Bracelets

·        The classic Byzantine sterling silver chain is made even better by grouping four Byzantine chains in one 7½-inch bracelet. If one is good, four is fabulous. The link chains are made of polished sterling silver. You will enjoy using its magnetic clasp when putting it on and taking it off. The bracelet is made in Italy.

·        You'll see how versatile silver can be when it is molded into a unique shape, as was done with the Jade Bamboo Bangle bracelet. This set includes three bangles, each designed with a bamboo-motif. In the middle of the bangle is piece of green jade weighing about 14 ct. The bracelets, each 7½ inches, can be worn separately or stacked.

·        Another designer used sterling silver as a contrast to the Tiger Eye and cultured freshwater pearl used in an 8-inch bangle. The brown, tawny tiger eye bracelet is accented at both ends by a 9mm cultured freshwater pearl set in sterling silver. 

·        You can see how an enamel finish over sterling silver can create an eye-catching and durable hinged bracelet. In this case, the bracelet is made from an oxidized sterling silver and then coated with two shades of blue epoxy enamel. Set in the enamel are 108 faceted, round cut marcasite stones. The bracelet is 7 ¼ inches long and secured with a slide insert clasp.

Rings

·        Any jewelry collection should include a sterling silver Textured Dome Ring. It's not a simple silver band around your finger, but a round, chunky band that works well with any look. Unlike a simple polished finish, this dome ring has a lustrous and fine texture, which takes it a step above. It is crafted in Italy.

·        Want a beautiful fake diamond ring to wear when you travel – or until you can afford the real thing? If you do, then a sterling silver ring with a round cut simulated diamond is the answer. It has all the sparkle of the real thing, but at a fraction of the cost. The ring has one large 6.5mm "diamond" in the middle, surrounded by 10 small round cut simulated diamonds in prong settings. The total stone weight is approximately 1.20ct. Best of all, because the band is sterling silver, it is a beautiful piece of jewelry in its own right and will wear well. The stone may not be the real thing, but the band is.

Necklaces

·        Few things are as classical as a sterling silver necklace set with diamonds. Hanging from an 18-inch rolo chain is a 1-inch by 1½ -inch rectangular pendant, crafted in sterling silver with black rhodium plated accents. The frame of the pendant and the filigree design within the frame sparkle with 89 single, round cut diamonds in prong and pave settings. The total diamond weight is about 0.50ct.

·        Jewelry designer Lambert Cheng combined 24 karat gold and sterling silver for a new classic necklace that can be worn by men or women. Hanging from an 18-inch sterling silver chain is a small 24 karat gold ingot that bears the Chinese symbols of love and happiness on either side. The ingot, about an inch tall, is set in sterling silver.

So you see, sterling silver jewelry is not limited to a chain or a wrap bracelet. It can be used in so many ways to create a classic piece of jewelry you will love and wear for years to come.

About the Author

Jeffrey Tegan is a freelance writer who writes about fashion apparel such as silver jewelry

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IS ThiS WorTh the Cost!? HELP!!?

I need buy a very important gift for someone and i wonder if this is worth the money, need to know in one month (worried if its a ripp off etc....)
details: it is a 16 INCH SILVER STERLING necklace, with a butterfly made of out mother of pearl, about one and a half centimetre wide and one centimetre in height, but the back is made of sterling silver and it is not completely made out of mother of pearl...the TOTAL COST is 18 pounds 95 pence....ANY SUGGESTIONS? HELP!

Sounds like a good deal to me, especially if they mean a lot to you, but I hope the don't go on here otherwise you have just spoiled the suprise.

24 Inch Sterling Silver Ribbed Oval Beaded Necklace

Tags: inch, jewelry, locket, shopping, silver

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 6:03 am and is filed under sterling silver. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.