| The price of silver has grown steadily over time, | | | | with .925, indicating purity and authenticity. If not visible |
| creating greater value and demand. Like gold and | | | | in the picture, you can either call or email to confirm the |
| platinum, silver is a precious metal, giving it worth | | | | existence of a stamp or simply wait to inspect the |
| beyond its decorative purpose. As a definition, metals | | | | jewelry immediately upon receiving it. |
| are considered precious when they are deemed rare. | | | | OK, so you have a real piece of sterling silver, but |
| Historically, silver, like gold, has been used as currency. | | | | what about the finish? Silver jewelry is not naturally |
| Today, it is considered primarily for investments and | | | | shiny, but a rather dull grayish tone. Therefore, it |
| jewelry. Truly, the market value is an added incentive in | | | | requires some finishing work for public consumption. |
| buying silver jewelry. However, when shopping for | | | | The surface of any piece of silver jewelry can be |
| silver jewelry online, it is important to follow a few | | | | finished with several techniques. Rhodium coated silver |
| guidelines to ensure a worthwhile transaction. | | | | is the most costly of finishes. Here, a ring or pendant is |
| First, it is important to establish the credibility of any | | | | coated with Rhodium, the most expensive of precious |
| e-retailer site you should visit. Look for icons referring | | | | metals, used primarily to coat gold jewelry. The benefit |
| to established third party organizations that deal with | | | | is a great shine with added protection from tarnish for |
| consumer reviews and information security. Usually | | | | your silver jewelry. Some manufactures will polish the |
| you can look at a certificate or company information | | | | silver to a strong shine. This technique takes time as |
| on the third party sites giving you an objective view of | | | | buffing requires handcrafting and may be reflected in |
| the e-retailer in question. Check the dates on those | | | | the price of the jewelry. The benefit is a more perfect |
| certificates to make sure they are recent and not | | | | piece, featuring a smooth service without nicks and |
| expired. | | | | imperfections. |
| Next, check the warranty. There should be at least 30 | | | | Nickel plating and enamel coating is used primarily with |
| days offered for both refunds and exchanges. A | | | | Italian chains such as the Figaro, Curb and Marina |
| reputable retailer will always back their product with a | | | | designs. The benefit is protection against tarnishing. |
| strong warranty. Feel free to call you e-retailer to ask | | | | Silver jewelry in general begins to darken, or tarnish, |
| about the warranty. You can get a good idea about | | | | over time through a process called oxidation, a |
| the level of customer service by their response. Once | | | | chemical reaction between silver and oxygen. This |
| you have established the credibility of your chosen | | | | does not devalue the silver metal itself and may take |
| e-retailer and verified a strong warranty, it's time to | | | | years to show. It is important to note that in some |
| browse and find your jewelry! | | | | cases, silver jewelry that contains nickel may cause an |
| After settling on a desirable piece of silver jewelry, do | | | | allergic reaction, specifically, in the form of green skin. It |
| a quick inspection. Look in the description area to | | | | is not particularly dangerous and quite rare. Question |
| establish that the jewelry is in fact, .925 sterling silver. | | | | the e-retailer about hypoallergenic, nickel free silver |
| This means that the item is made with 92.5% silver, | | | | jewelry. |
| mixed with various alloys. This is the industry standard | | | | Follow these simple guideline and you're sure to walk |
| and is the highest level of silver used in the jewelry | | | | away with a safe, secure and satisfying experience |
| today. Silver is too soft, in its purest form, for | | | | with the breadth of silver jewelry available online. |
| decorative wear. Authentic silver jewelry is stamped | | | | |