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Sterling Silver 101: The comprehensive guide to understanding and maintaining your jewelry and silver cutlery.

By: Stephen Krueger

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materially affecting the ductility and outward beauty of the precious metal. However, as the degree of purity of silver decreases , the problem of tarnishing arises, creating the importance of finding an efficient equilibrium balance between the percentage content of Silver and the cheaper metal (whether Aluminum, Copper, Steel or Brass) used in the alloy mix.

The optimal solution, as discovered by expert chemists, is sterling silver: an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by mass of silver and 7.5% by mass of other metals, usually Copper, Steel or Brass. The sterling silver standard has a minimum purity level of 925 (ie: 92.5% purity). Since the percentage purity of sterling silver is stringently maintained, sterling silver is the most suitable material for use in the manufacture of jewelry and high grade luxury cutlery used by royalty.

Chemically, silver is not very reactive--it does not react on a visible scale with oxygen or water at ordinary conditions of temperature, and so does not readily form the ugly silver oxide layer which appears as a dull, powdery white coating on the surface of pure silver. However, sterling silver is not a compound, and other metals in the alloy, usually copper, will react with atmospheric oxygen and appear as tarnish. The upside, however, is that tarnish is easily reversible by polishing: a process which removes the exterior coat of CuO obscuring the bright sheen of the alloy. The convenient removal of the tarnish layer has resulting in 925 sterling silver becoming the benchmark of consumer choice in jewelry craftsmanship.

Sterling Silver's beauty increases with use, which causes a patina layer to form. Plated silver is silver that has been plated through the process of electrolysis over another metal. Corrosion accelerates in damp and foggy weather, but is ultimately inevitable in any climate. Sterling silver should ideally be stored in treated paper or cloth, or plastic film.

How Silver is cleaned should be determined firstly by the value you have placed on it, whether monetary or sentimental, & secondly, the intricacy or depth of the pattern. Silver with deeply engraved patterns that are enhanced by an oxide or French gray finish should be hand polished with a specialized or recommended silver cream or polish.

Hand rubbing develops a patina layer which adds to its beauty. Ornamental silver pieces which have been lacquered must be washed in lukewarm water instead of hot water , as hot water could remove the lacquer. Polishing silver while wearing rubber gloves promotes tarnish. Don't do it! Instead, choose plastic or cotton gloves.

Silver has enemies. Rubber is one material which can cause severe corrosion to silver. The damage can become so serious that only a silversmith can repair the damage, albeit with a severe wasteful loss of silver mass. Raised designs are beyond help, and will be lost permanently. Storage chests with rubber seals, rubber floor coverings and rubber bands are strict no-nos.

Other deadly enemies of silver include table salt, olives, salad dressing, eggs, vinegar and fruit juices. Essentially anything which contains food acids. Serve these foods in china or glass containers rather than your precious silver tableware. Although flowers and fruit really do look lovely in silverware, the carbonic acids produced during the decay process can etch the containers and cause irreversible damage. When using silver containers, use paper liners.

Baking Soda and Toothpaste: Using toothpaste, coat the silver layer with toothpaste, then run it under warm water, rub until foam develops, then rinse it off. For stubborn stains and intricate grooves unreachable by hand, use an old soft-bristled toothbrush.

For Baking Soda, create a paste of baking soda and water. Rub, rinse off, and polish dry with a soft cloth preferably cotton. To remove rust from silverware, place some grains of baking soda on a wet cloth and rub it on the silverware until corrosion is removed. Rinse, then dry well.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

The author is a New York-based veteran jeweler with a full decade of craftsmanship experience and a legacy of strong customer satisfaction. He is an expert on jewelry craft and fashion critique. To learn more about sterling silver jewelry, replicas, inspired alternatives and other challenges facing mainstream labels, visit Gothic Silver Jewelry

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