What Is Sterling Silver:

Sterling silver is probably the most popular silver alloy in for jewelry. Sterling silver also called .925 silver is an alloy consisting of 92.5 percent fine silver and 7.5 percent other metals usually copper. Jewelry manufacturers use sterling silver because of its strength and durability .999 or fine silver alone is too soft and too easy to damage to be used as jewelry.

In the United States, an alloy must be at least 92.5 percent fine silver to be marketed as €silver€.

Sterling Silver Jewelry Finishes:

Different silver jewelry items can be finished in different ways. Some items, the .925 sterling silver design are plated with a thin layer of .999 or fine silver. This process is known as flashing, it gives the item a shiny finish. Some manufacturers will apply a plating of nickel or copper on the jewelry before applying the .999 silver plating. Though this flashing method gives the jewelry a brighter, longer shelf life it does require re-plating if sized. Other silver items are rhodium plated, which also results in a bright, shiny finish. Other jewelry items may be gold plated depending on the design. Gold vermeil, which is pronounced "vehr-MAY," is sterling silver plated with gold. The process started in France around the mid 1700's. Jewelry makers applied mercury and gold to the silver and exposed the metal to extreme heat. The heat caused the mercury to vaporize and the layer of gold to adhere to the silver. This process was known as fire gilding. A tragic side effect of this process was that the mercury vapors caused blindness in many artisans, so France made it illegal around the 1800s. Today's gold vermeil is created using an electrolytic process and is a much safer process than fire gilding but produces a similar result.

How Can I Keep My Sterling Silver Items Looking Great:

Sterling silver is prone to tarnish if not properly cared for. This is a natural reaction the metal has with chemicals in the air. Tarnish does not always result from the sole effects of oxygen in the air. For example, silver needs hydrogen sulfide to tarnish; it does not tarnish with only oxygen. It often appears as a dull, gray or black film or coating over metal. Tarnish is a surface phenomenon, which is self-limiting unlike rust. Only the top few layers of the metal react, and the layer of tarnish seals and protects the underlying layers from reacting.Thankfully, regular maintenance will help keep your sterling silver jewelry looking great. A light polishing with a rouge cloth designed for sterling silver will help minimize tarnish. Another method is to wash your jewelry periodically with mild dish soap and warm water, rinse well and dry completely.
You can minimize tarnish of items that are stored in a display case by using desiccated silica gel, granules that absorb the humidity in the air. Covering the jewelry in your cases with a Jeweler's Cloth will also help minimize tarnish. When storing silver jewelry, keeping items in sealed polyethylene bags will help reduce tarnish.
Tarnish can be easily removed when first noticed. However, if left untreated, the color of the tarnish will darken and will become more difficult to remove, requiring professional cleaning.
It is also important to avoid exposing sterling silver jewelry to harsh chemicals like chlorine, cosmetics, hair spray, and perfume, and to avoid extended exposure to direct sunlight.

Not Recommended Clean Methods:

Other types of cleaning methods exist. The most common is Chemical Dips and Electrochemical. Chemical dip contains acids and accelerates the tarnish removal. The corrosive nature of acid can damage and pit your silver. You should only use chemical dips for severely tarnish silver that won't clean up with polish. The aluminum plate used in electrochemical cleaning can also scratch and pit your silver. It can also cause your silver to tarnish quicker. Neither method is recommended.

Article was Researched and written by
S. Mason
http://www.jewelrybyloulou.com