| We cherish our silver Jewellery - rings, earrings, | | | | Is there any way to buy silver Jewellery that won't |
| bracelets, and necklaces. Silver is bright, beautiful, and | | | | tarnish? Some silver Jewellery is finished with rhodium. |
| eye-catching. It's the perfect metal to set off the | | | | Rhodium is a metal found in the platinum family. It is |
| sparkle of a diamond or contrast with a colorful ruby. | | | | also used to finish white gold, and it does not tarnish. If |
| But how can we keep it from getting tarnished? What | | | | you buy a rhodium-finished piece, however, it will have |
| should we look for when buying it? What's the deal | | | | a bright white color to it-not a more silvery gray. Some |
| with plated Jewellery? And what is sterling silver, | | | | sterling silver has platinum as its alloy metal. This won't |
| anyway? | | | | tarnish either, although it will raise the price of the |
| If you've ever wondered about how to buy and care | | | | Jewellery. These are both good options if you like the |
| for silver Jewellery, here are a few things you need to | | | | bright white look of platinum, because it will be much |
| know. | | | | less expensive than solid platinum. |
| What is sterling silver? There are several grades of | | | | How should I store my silver? The metals in sterling |
| silver. Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver; it is generally too | | | | silver react with their environment by tarnishing. Even |
| soft to use for everyday function. All silver used in | | | | exposure to air, light, and water can hasten the |
| Jewellery is in fact an alloy: a mix of silver and another | | | | tarnishing process. While you may not be able to keep |
| metal. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% another | | | | sterling silver from ever tarnishing, you can slow the |
| metal. It is sometimes referred to as "925 silver." Most | | | | process down with proper storage. |
| sterling silver contains copper as the second metal. | | | | Store silver Jewellery in a tarnish-resistant cloth. This |
| What is "silver-plated"? Silver plating evolved in the | | | | cloth has been treated with materials that slow the |
| nineteenth century as a way to make otherwise | | | | tarnishing process. Never store silver Jewellery in a |
| expensive silver items available to the masses. Silver | | | | wooden box, as the acids in the wood can tarnish the |
| plating involves fusing a very thin layer of silver over a | | | | silver. Since silver Jewellery is so soft, it's best stored |
| layer of another metal. If a piece of Jewellery is silver | | | | away from other Jewellery. This way, it won't get |
| plated, it will not have a sterling mark. | | | | scratched during storage. Some jewelers advocate |
| Silver plated Jewellery is less expensive than sterling | | | | storing your silver in separate plastic bags to keep |
| silver. However, since silver is so soft, it can wear off | | | | them away from air and other Jewellery. |
| over time with polishing or simple wear and tear. In | | | | How can I remove the tarnish? It's never good to |
| general, it's better to buy sterling silver than silver plated | | | | polish silver too hard or too often. However, that's |
| Jewellery. | | | | exactly what you have to do in order to remove |
| What should I look for when buying silver? Look for | | | | tarnish. To get around this, use an extremely gentle |
| the stamp. Most sterling silver Jewellery will have a | | | | method of polishing. Avoid using toothpaste or baking |
| small stamp that certifies it is sterling. Sterling silver is | | | | soda, as these can scratch and wear down the metal. |
| marked in a variety of ways; the mark might be ".925," | | | | Most Jewellery stores sell polish that is specially |
| "ster," "sterling," or "sterling silver." This will tell you that | | | | formulated for silver. This can be applied gently with a |
| the metal is solid sterling silver and not plated. No | | | | soft cotton cloth. Be sure to read the label to ensure |
| matter what country you're in when you're shopping, | | | | it's safe for any gemstones in your Jewellery. There |
| look for a mark that indicates the piece is sterling. | | | | are also chemically treated cloths available that make |
| Why does silver tarnish? Most Sterling silver is | | | | polishing easier. |
| combined with copper. Since copper tarnishes over | | | | Silver is an attractive, affordable metal that's perfect |
| time, so does sterling silver. Silver Jewellery eventually | | | | for all types of Jewellery. Buy the right silver, store it |
| acquires a light gold cast; then it may bronze or turn | | | | properly, and buff it to avoid tarnish, and it will stay |
| black. This definitely dulls the look of your Jewellery, | | | | beautiful for years to come. |
| and it can also stain your hands. | | | | |