Sterling Silver. Sterling silver. Story. Use of silver + Discussion

Online stores are full of offers for the sale of sterling silver jewelry. In photographs, the products look very attractive: the perfectly polished, shiny surfaces of the jewelry attract the eye like a magnet.

The price of the products is also quite attractive: it is significantly lower compared to jewelry made of blackened silver.

In this material, we will try to understand: what sterling silver is, how it differs from ordinary silver, how to care for jewelry made from this material, and also take an interest in reviews from customers who have already purchased sterling silver items in popular online stores.

What is 925 Sterling Silver? What are its features?

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Sterling is the name of an alloy of 925 silver. Silver alloys are used to make silverware, jewelry, coinage, and more. Pure silver, 999 standard, is not suitable for these purposes: it is too soft and fragile, quickly oxidizes and loses its appearance.

To give a silver product strength, ductility, noble color and other useful properties, alloys are used - admixtures of other metals. In silver marked 925, there are 7.5% of such impurities.

The following alloying metals can be used: copper, germanium, zinc, platinum, gold and titanium. Silicon and boron are added as auxiliary elements.

The alloy of silver with cadmium is one of the most expensive (much more expensive than gold). It is used in precision instrumentation and science because it has high electrical and thermal conductivity.

Silver alloyed with germanium does not turn black over time. And in combination with aluminum it becomes too porous.

The standard metal used to alloy 925 sterling silver is copper.

Manufacturing technologies

The alloy manufacturing technology takes place in three stages.

• The first stage is melting. To obtain the desired alloy, it is important to strictly observe the melting temperature. So, argentum is melted under the influence of a temperature of 810-940 ° C, then copper is added. High temperature allows copper not only to mix, but to dissolve in silver; it penetrates deep into its structure, thereby forming a solid solution.
• The second stage is firing. The metal is specially fired to improve the homogeneity of the alloy and increase its strength.
• The third stage is hardening. This is necessary to give the metal the necessary ductility. After this, the alloy must be aged at a temperature of 300 °C, this further increases the strength from 60 to 160 kgf/mm2.

At the end, the metal is bleached, all slag and plaque are removed, and as a result, the same brilliant white color that we are familiar with is obtained.

Story

According to encyclopedic data, the name of the alloy was first found in the 12th century. By decree of King Henry II of England, the monetary unit pound sterling was established. It was minted from 925 silver. Thus, 240 coins were made from one pound of silver (350 g).

There are other versions of the origin of the name of the alloy: according to the compilers of the Oxford Dictionary, sterling was the common name for a Scottish small coin.

You can come across a version according to which the use of 925 sterling silver for minting coins first began in northern Germany.

The area in which the mint was located was called "Easterling". In the 12th century, it actively traded with England. Payment was made with durable, high-quality silver coins.

Interestingly, in Russia they do not make jewelry from sterling silver; it is used exclusively for cutlery.

In Japan, 925 alloy is also not common: they prefer pure silver, even despite its low strength and other disadvantages. In France you will not find 925 silver alloy. Brooches, earrings, and necklaces are marked 800.

Option for dry external insulation of a private house

This type of insulation of the facade of a private house from the outside is called “wet” because one of the elements of the heat-insulating structure is plaster, which covers the layer of insulation located underneath it. It itself has excellent heat-saving properties, provides sound insulation and at the same time can serve as a façade cladding. Therefore, the wet type of insulation solves several problems at once. In addition, it is quite simple in technology and does not require large financial costs.

Thermal insulation in this case is a three-layer structure: an inner layer (reinforcing or adhesive), the heat-insulating layer itself and an outer protective layer made of a thin plaster mixture, which can also serve as the finishing of the building.

For the dry option of insulating walls in a private house, do it yourself using ready-made panels made of heat-insulating material.

These can be sandwich panels, polystyrene foam boards, polystyrene foam boards, fiberboard boards, mineral wool sheets, etc. The choice of materials is very diverse, and the range is increasing every year. At the moment, polystyrene foam, fiberboard and mineral boards are considered the most effective insulation materials.

One of the methods of dry insulation of the walls of a private house from the outside is a three-layer system, or the so-called well masonry. The principle of this type of thermal insulation is that the insulation is placed between two layers - outer and inner. The wall of the building itself acts as the inner layer.

The outer layer is the facing material. As a rule, brick is used for cladding in such a structure. Thus, insulation is attached to the wall using mechanical fasteners or a metal profile frame. And then the wall is covered with bricks over the entire area (the thickness of the masonry is usually one brick).

Alloy properties

Silver alloy is highly durable and wear-resistant. It was from this that silverware was made, which was passed down from generation to generation. The alloy is resistant to corrosion and many environmental factors.

The noble metal is still in demand in most countries of the world as a material for making jewelry, cutlery, candlesticks, figurines and coins.

Physical properties:

1. Metal reflects about 95% of visible light rays. Due to this property, the first mirrors were made of polished silver.
2. High thermal conductivity. This is why tableware is not made from silver.
3. In appearance, sterling silver resembles platinum.
4. Slowly oxidizes and cleans well.
5. Does not have magnetic properties.
6. High electrical conductivity.

Chemical properties:

1. Silver reacts with hydrogen sulfide to form sulfur sulfide.
2. When heated, the metal is able to adsorb oxygen and hydrogen.
3. Dissolves in mercury, nitric and sulfuric acid.
4. Reacts with iodine.
5. Insoluble in alcohol.

Try

To perfectly mix the silver and auxiliary metals, they are heated to a temperature of 800 °C.

The fineness of the alloy is determined by the percentage of silver, regardless of the alloy. But 925 sterling silver is precisely an alloy with copper in a percentage ratio of 92.5%/7.5%.

Real sterling silver can be easily distinguished from a fake if you put two pieces side by side: the real one will look snow-white. If the metal is cleaned of oxidation, it will shine brighter than white gold.

If the product acquires a reddish tint over time, it means that it contains much more copper than is stated by the sample.

Reviews

Natalia:

I ordered a bracelet from China. In general, I can’t say anything bad, but it’s getting darker faster than I expected, perhaps the standard isn’t high enough.

Elizabeth:

I brought a chain and pendant from Turkey as a gift to my mother, they are very elegant, my mother has been wearing them for several years without taking them off, she cleans them at home with toothpaste, but not whitening one - it has hard particles in it, she is afraid of scratching.

Olga:

I got massive silver earrings with blackened silver from my grandmother. The product has darkened over time, but I don’t risk cleaning it for fear of ruining it. And I don’t wear them myself, I keep them as a memory.

Marina:

I almost lost my pearl set when I decided to clean it with vinegar. It’s good that my mother saw this and stopped me, otherwise I would have been left without my favorite jewelry. It turns out that pearls dissolve in vinegar! It’s a pity that manufacturers of such jewelry do not warn about this.

How is sterling silver different from regular silver?

It is not customary to make jewelry from pure silver due to the insufficient strength of the metal and its rapid oxidation from contact with air. Under the influence of hydrogen sulfide contained in the surrounding atmosphere, pure silver quickly oxidizes and becomes covered with a sulfide film.

By alloying silver with copper, one achieves not only an increase in the strength of products, but also an improvement in their appearance. In an alloy with copper, silver is much less susceptible to sulfides, which means oxidation and darkening.

Sputtering of a metal called rhodium allows you to protect jewelry from mechanical damage.

Rhodium-plated silver is easily distinguished by its mirror-like shining surface. The specific, unnatural appearance of rhodium-plated silver jewelry repels some buyers. In comparison, sterling jewelry has a more natural shine.

Pure silver is also not used for decorating interior items, making cutlery, or works of art. Sterling silver, on the contrary, is suitable for work of any complexity, even for the most delicate and sophisticated products.

Question-answer section

What type of silver is the best and most expensive?

Expert opinion

Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich

Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop

It is necessary to take into account the purpose that is set during the assessment. If jewelry is considered, 925 products are the best; they are more durable and contain a significant proportion of silver. However, for investments, products with even higher content are being studied - 960 and 999, the latter of the options is not used for the production of jewelry, it is bank metal.

Table silver, how to understand the sample?

Expert opinion

Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich

Jeweler 6th category

The fineness of a silver product is indicated. If we are talking about cutlery that is made from other metals, but coated with a layer of Ag, then indicate the type of material: AL (aluminum), STAINLESS (steel), MN (nickel silver), etc.

How to determine the silver sample at home?

Expert opinion

Andrey Seleznev

Chemist-technologist, Volgograd

It is recommended to use special reagents. They are available for sale, you should ask in special stores and jewelry workshops. It is enough to apply such a substance to the product; the sample and alloy are determined by the color change. But there must be a scratch for the reagent to enter the structure of the material.

What is the highest grade of precious metal?

Expert opinion

Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich

Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop

The highest measure is 999. The metal is conventionally called pure, but it contains a small proportion of impurities: 0.01...0.1%. Theoretically, it is difficult to obtain silver without additives, which is why alloy 999 is called “highest sterling.”

Silver bars

What types of antique silver are there?

Expert opinion

Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich

Jeweler 6th category

In ancient times, there was no unified system for marking precious metals, so each master/manufacturer used his own mark:

How to Test a 925 Sterling Silver Item

1. Find the rectangle with the hallmark on the product and make sure that the numbers 925 are indicated on it.
2. Silver does not have magnetic properties. Test this statement by holding a magnet close to your jewelry.
3. Rub the product on a piece of chalk. The crayon has turned black, which means the silver is real.
4. Apply a small amount of sulfur ointment to the surface of the product. After a few hours, the fake will change color, and the silver jewelry will only tarnish.
5. Determine the authenticity of the item from a jeweler.

Sterling Silver Jewelry

Jewelers love to work with sterling silver for the following reasons: firstly, products made from this material are always relevant and in demand, and secondly, 925 sterling silver is a durable but malleable metal, which means it is easy to work with.

Metal makes jewelry that shines and lasts. Earrings, rings, chains are particularly sophisticated.

The alloy of silver and copper has a characteristic feature - it darkens when in contact with moisture and then the jewelry has to be cleaned frequently. If you choose a silver necklace, give preference to an alloy of silver with germanium or rhodium-plated silver.

Türkiye

Turkish silver is widely known for its quality products, variety of shapes, fine workmanship and intricacy. The jewelry craftsmanship of this country has rich traditions, and the craftsmen are able to make any product, be it a men's chain, a woman's silver ring or silver cutlery (teaspoons, Turks, trays).

The most commonly used metal in work is 925 grade metal. Less commonly, 960-grade metal, products from which will be much more expensive.

Local products can be purchased at relatively low prices. However, there is a risk of buying a fake in Turkey. Therefore, when making a transaction, it is recommended to ask sellers for quality certificates.

How to clean sterling silver jewelry?

If the decoration has darkened slightly, wipe it with a cloth made of natural material.

A significantly oxidized product should be washed in warm water with a small amount of dishwashing detergent. Ammonia or hydrogen peroxide are suitable for cleaning the surface. After chemical cleaning, be sure to wipe the jewelry with a dry natural cloth.

To return a necklace or earrings with stones to their original appearance, contact a jewelry maker who will treat the jewelry with a special compound that does not contain phosphates.

It is not recommended to use toothpowder and toothpaste to clean silver jewelry to avoid scratching the surface.

In jewelry stores you can find a special liquid for cleaning coins, with its help you can independently restore the snow-white shine to a tarnished large item.

In order for silver jewelry to retain its appearance for a long time, it should be stored correctly. Use a separate bag for each unit. Store bags in a cool, dry place.

Recommendations for care, cleaning and storage

As has already been said, silver needs to be looked after. Clean it systematically (we wrote about how to clean silver here and here) and store it properly.

Silver jewelry should be stored in a dark place, preferably separately from each other and away from cosmetics and household products. You can put it in a thick flannel bag or a box upholstered in soft fabric.

Sterling silver from China

Sterling silver from China

Extremely mixed reviews from buyers of 925 sterling silver jewelry, which is produced in China and distributed through online stores.

Today, China is the world's largest manufacturer of sterling silver jewelry. This is due to the low cost of labor compared to European countries.

The cost of Chinese jewelry is significantly lower than that of other manufacturing countries. But what can we say about the quality of the products?

The main complaint of Chinese sterling silver jewelry buyers is:

• oxidation;
• darkening and general loss of appearance of jewelry within a very short period of time from the date of purchase.

Everything points to cheap counterfeits of sterling silver, in which the required proportion of silver and copper is not maintained. If the copper content is significantly more than 7.5%, the product begins to oxidize, turn red, dull and deteriorate.

If the product instantly oxidizes under the influence of water, perfume or soap, you have a fake that contains too much copper alloy. Be extremely careful when buying Chinese jewelry and do not fall for the tricks of scammers.

Brand

Various silver samples - 925 and others - have their own mark, which allows you to estimate the percentage of impurities and identify the manufacturer. For example, a 925 ring will be stamped with the number 925 and the quality mark of the inspection organization that is engaged in official quality supervision. If there is no stamp or it does not contain a quality mark, and the seller cannot present a certificate, then most likely the product will be counterfeit.

Unfortunately, there is no single stamp sample. So, if you intend to buy a silver ring or something else made in a particular country, it is better to first familiarize yourself with the hallmarks and quality marks accepted there.

Sterling Silver Plated

When ordering jewelry through an online store, read the description very carefully. People who do not speak English, when they see the word “Sterling 925,” immediately assume that the supplier is offering a product made of sterling silver. But often, it is assumed that a product made of cheap metal or jewelry has only sterling coating.

Each such decoration comes with a list of prohibitive recommendations, upon seeing which you should be wary and understand that this is cheap. Products coated with sterling should not be slept in, washed with hands, or exposed to perfumes, soaps, detergents, etc.

The main sign by which a fake can be identified is its low cost.

Simulant metals

To reduce the cost of products, as well as to make them more similar to silver, materials were used containing durable components, but without precious metals:

• cupronickel (MN) - most often copper and nickel were used for production, less often zinc, manganese or iron were added, this material is more reminiscent of Ag than others, due to the color - also white, but cupronickel is harder;
• nickel silver (MNC) - the metal was called the new silver, contains copper, nickel and zinc, the result of this combination is the production of an alloy that does not differ in appearance and properties from cupronickel, but its production is cheaper;
• aluminum (AL) is a cast aluminum alloy containing various metals;
• stainless steel (STAINLESS) is another analogue of silver, but in appearance it is more different from the precious metal.