!#5: Silver Rings 925 Compare Prices: January 2012

!±8± A Look at Silver, Silver Plated, and Sterling Silver Jewelry

Knowing the contrast in the middle of silver, silver plated, and sterling silver jewelry can make a essential contrast to the types of pieces you pick to purchase. Price is often a good indicator of an item's makeup, but it isn't always truthful. Tiffany knockoffs, for example, have a wide price range depending on the jeweler you are dealing with and the material it is made with. Even though they all sound the same, there is a essential contrast in the middle of a silver plated ring and a sterling silver ring.

Pure Silver Jewelry

Even in its purest form, which is 999/1000 parts pure, silver will always consist of trace amounts of other elements. Pure silver doesn't make a very high quality jewelry item either. On its own, silver is highly soft and malleable. This means that it doesn't mold properly in order to generate a usable product and anyone shape it did take would never survive. In other words, if a jeweler says his Tiffany knockoffs are 100% silver, he is whether lying or they are not worth buying as a wearable item. Instead, look for sterling silver jewelry.

Sterling Silver Jewelry

Unlike pure silver, sterling silver contains someone else metal mixed in with the silver to give it increased vigor and durability. Sterling silver is a combination of 7.5% alloy such as zinc, nickel, or copper, and 92.5% silver. This type of jewelry will usually be marked with 925, .925, or 92.5% lucidity somewhere on the piece. It does tarnish, but it has the added advantage of being shinier than silver jewelry. To keep this type of jewelry seeing its best, keep it from getting wet and store it in a small, sealed plastic bag when it isn't being worn.

Silver Plated Jewelry

Jewelry said to be 'silver plated' means that it is coated with a silver coating, however the material it is in fact made with can vary greatly. This formula is often used for cheap fashion jewelry that is made of steel or other poor quality metal. Jewelry made with this material often bends, stretches, breaks, and the finish can wear off quickly. If you happen to spot Tiffany knockoffs for example, take the price and the credit of the jeweler into notice to rule if they are a good deal.

Some jewelers will coat their sterling silver items with pure silver using an eletroplater to forestall tarnishing while maintaining the quality of their jewelry. The inexpressive to purchasing this style of jewelry is to look for the thickness of the coating. In general, the thicker the coating, the longer it will last so long as it is cared for properly.

Whether you are seeing at custom made jewelry or trendy Tiffany knockoffs, knowing the contrast in the middle of silver, silver plated, and sterling silver jewelry will make recognizing a good deal easier. If you are seeing for a fun every-day piece, fashion jewelry is fine. If you are seeing for quality, however, look for well-constructed sterling silver items and wear them proudly!