PLATINUM | GOLD | STERLING SILVER | TITANIUM | MIXED METALS

Metals - SILVER

Mineral Information: Silver
Chemical Composition: Ag

Unlike gold, which is mined for its own sake, about 80% of silver recovered is as a by-product of mining for other metals. This is one factor that helps keep the price of silver as low as it is in comparison to gold.

Silver reflects more light than any other metal, including gold. Newly polished silver will reflect 95% of all light that falls on it. Silver is one of the most famous ornamental metals, but its popularity in jewelry is decreasing because of its notorious tarnishing habit. Fresh silver has a bright-metallic-white color, but almost invariably turns yellowish to blackish upon exposure to air. This is caused by a chemical reaction of the silver to sulfur compounds present in the atmosphere. The only way to prevent this effect is to glaze the silver with an anti-tarnish coat. . Tarnished silver can be restored to its original color with one of the many tarnish-removing chemicals. Silver is alloyed with other metals, sometimes iron and zinc but mostly copper, to increase its toughness and durability.

Considered as a noble metal, silver is easily drawn out into wire as fine as gold can. Silver actually has greatest tensile strength than gold. It can be bent, stretched and shaped without cracking. Since it is so soft, scratches are easy to polish out. Silver is fashioned into rings, bracelets, earrings, and other jewelry figures. However, the bulk of silver goes towards use as ornamental utensils. Goblets, candelabras, cutlery, trays, and dishes are just some examples of what silver is made into. Silver has also been used in coinage since the earliest of times.

There are different types of silver based on the content of other metals mixed in to the silver:

• Sterling Silver – Silver at least 92.5% pure (Jewelry, flatware service pieces)
  
• Britannia Silver – Silver at least 95% pure (Coinage)
  

Silver Jewelry Care: Silver can be cleaned with solid polishes, which are slightly abrasive, or in liquid dip, after which pieces need to be dried and polished with a soft cloth. Foam polishes clean and polish at the same time. Some types of polishing cloths can be used to give silver pieces a quick brightening in the case.