How to Identify, Care and Clean Your Vintage Sterling Silver Jewelry
by Sharon of YearsAfter.com
It’s easy to Fall in Love with Sterling Silver Jewelry
especially when it’s Vintage with a History! Sterling Silver Jewelry is a
durable precious metal, and has been around since ancient times. The metal alloy had originated in Europe and was used as early as the twelfth century. Sterling Silver will last
for centuries to come with proper care. It just won’t wear down. Its richness,
brilliance, durability, workability, and beautiful smooth lustrous texture makes it a desired choice in jewelry.
What does the 925 or STER stamp mean on jewelry?
Sterling Silver has a standard fineness of 92.5 percent
which is 925 parts per thousand silver. 925 marked on Sterling Jewelry represents the silver fineness. Sterling Jewelry can also be seen marked with the words Sterling, Sterling Silver or STER for short. These sterling marks, also called hallmarks, may be followed by assayer's marks, maker’s mark or a registered trademark of the manufacturer. Information on basic hallmarks can be found here: modern silver basic hallmark information
Pure
silver is too soft for daily use, therefore it needs to be combined with other
metals to make it a stronger alloy. Copper is one of the most commonly used
metals mixed with pure silver in order to strengthen it, and is also one of the
reasons why tarnish forms on Sterling Silver Jewelry.
Is all Sterling Jewelry marked?
Pure silver is too soft for daily use, therefore it needs to be combined with other metals to make it a stronger alloy. Copper is one of the most commonly used metals mixed with pure silver in order to strengthen it, and is also one of the reasons why tarnish forms on Sterling Silver Jewelry.
Much of antique and vintage jewelry such as Vintage Native American Jewelry is neither marked Sterling or 925. In the United States, marking jewelry is relatively modern, and only became a standard in the nineteenth century. There are several types of test kits available on the market to determine the fineness of the silver content of your item. When using acid testers, it is advisable to test in an inconspicuous place on the silver. Otherwise, the acid will ruin the finish of your jewelry if your jewelry turns out to be silver plated.
How to Care and Clean Sterling Silver Jewelry?
Many collectors prefer to preserve the aged appearance of tarnished
Vintage Sterling Silver Jewelry. Other collectors choose to keep the darkened
tarnish only in the intricate engraved areas of a necklace, ring, bracelet and
earrings. Wearing your jewelry is the best way to keep your jewelry
tarnish-free and looking beautiful all the time. If your Vintage Sterling
Silver Jewelry does get deeply tarnished then a light polishing to the surface with
a soft polishing cloth will bring out the striking contrast of your engraved piece.
Avoid harsh chemicals at all cost since it will ruin the silver. Always store
your Vintage Sterling Silver Jewelry separately from other precious metals.
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Visit YearsAfter.com for the best value and
finest selection of Vintage Sterling Silver Jewelry. We research all our items
to give you the most informative listings, and when available, the history of
each piece.
We at Years After are so very pleased to announce
that our Vintage Sterling Silver Jewelry is on the Cover of the newly published
book DEJA VU by D.J. Starling. Thank you D.J. Starling!
DÉJÀ VU by D.J. Starling
The Book Cover shows our Vintage Sterling Silver Mezuzah
Pendant Necklace
DÉJÀ VU by D.J. Starling
The book is available on Amazon, Facebook and other Fine
Retailers
http://www.amazon.com/D%C3%89J%C3%80-VU-D-J-STARLING/dp/147597843X
http://www.amazon.com/D%C3%89J%C3%80-VU-D-J-STARLING/dp/147597843X
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& All Vintage Plastic Jewelry, Fine 10K, 14K Gold Jewelry, Vintage
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