Anyone who has sterling silver jewelry likely has pieces they would love to wear. They may want to wear them but the care and maintenance needed to keep them looking good are often too much to deal with. If you are someone who has experienced the irritation of having to polish their pieces before they can wear them, Argentium silver jewelry may be a great compromise. Here is what you need to know to get the best of both worlds.
There are several different types of silver. The first is the pure metal itself. It is actually quite soft and, while harder than gold, is still not hard enough to produce durable items. Sterling is an alloy. That is, it is a mixture of several metals. In the case of sterling, copper is traditionally added to the pure metal to harden it. It scratches less and can be worked into a variety of different items that will hold up to daily wear.
When someone is making Argentium, they still use mostly straight silver. However, instead of just adding copper to the alloy, a metalloid known as germanium is added. While this keeps the same look as traditional sterling, the addition of a metal other than copper gives the finished metal a few new qualities that make it very appealing to metal smiths.
One of the benefits of interest to consumers is the fact that it stays shiny and does not tarnish in the same way that regular sterling does. Regular sterling oxidizes. That is, it reacts to oxygen in the air and the surface becomes dark and discolored. It needs to be stored in a special container that can help slow down the reaction or it needs polishing before it shows the beautiful shine that so many people love. This new alloy does tarnish but it is light in color and does not have the same dark appearance that people do not like.
Tarnishing alone is not the only problem that some people have with traditional versions of this alloy. Some people may also be allergic to the copper that makes up the blend of metals. This can cause their skin to become red or to react in other ways. Many people choose not to wear this metal as a result. They may not be able to afford the high prices that may be charged for white gold or platinum. By choosing a version that is copper free, it may make it possible for them to wear silver again.
This metal is becoming much more widely available than it used to be. Many stores are choosing to stock items made from this metal. This is because they can still stay beautiful on display and need less care than other sterling items would. If you check in local stores and they do not have items made from this alloy, you will be able to find a wide selection of them on websites. Some only offer items made from this metal.
Once you have a few pieces that you love, you will want to keep them looking their best. While it takes less to care for them than with regular silver, there are still a few things that you can do to keep your items looking as beautiful as they day you got them. Although the metal will not become dark, oils from your skin and dirt can still build up. Wiping down your pieces with a soft cloth will clean them and keep them shiny and beautiful.
While sterling can be lovely to look at, and to wear, it can be annoying and time consuming to maintain. You may find you spend hours polishing and cleaning your pieces and this may make you not want to wear them as much. If you want the look of silver, consider this wonderful alternative to traditional sterling.
There are several different types of silver. The first is the pure metal itself. It is actually quite soft and, while harder than gold, is still not hard enough to produce durable items. Sterling is an alloy. That is, it is a mixture of several metals. In the case of sterling, copper is traditionally added to the pure metal to harden it. It scratches less and can be worked into a variety of different items that will hold up to daily wear.
When someone is making Argentium, they still use mostly straight silver. However, instead of just adding copper to the alloy, a metalloid known as germanium is added. While this keeps the same look as traditional sterling, the addition of a metal other than copper gives the finished metal a few new qualities that make it very appealing to metal smiths.
One of the benefits of interest to consumers is the fact that it stays shiny and does not tarnish in the same way that regular sterling does. Regular sterling oxidizes. That is, it reacts to oxygen in the air and the surface becomes dark and discolored. It needs to be stored in a special container that can help slow down the reaction or it needs polishing before it shows the beautiful shine that so many people love. This new alloy does tarnish but it is light in color and does not have the same dark appearance that people do not like.
Tarnishing alone is not the only problem that some people have with traditional versions of this alloy. Some people may also be allergic to the copper that makes up the blend of metals. This can cause their skin to become red or to react in other ways. Many people choose not to wear this metal as a result. They may not be able to afford the high prices that may be charged for white gold or platinum. By choosing a version that is copper free, it may make it possible for them to wear silver again.
This metal is becoming much more widely available than it used to be. Many stores are choosing to stock items made from this metal. This is because they can still stay beautiful on display and need less care than other sterling items would. If you check in local stores and they do not have items made from this alloy, you will be able to find a wide selection of them on websites. Some only offer items made from this metal.
Once you have a few pieces that you love, you will want to keep them looking their best. While it takes less to care for them than with regular silver, there are still a few things that you can do to keep your items looking as beautiful as they day you got them. Although the metal will not become dark, oils from your skin and dirt can still build up. Wiping down your pieces with a soft cloth will clean them and keep them shiny and beautiful.
While sterling can be lovely to look at, and to wear, it can be annoying and time consuming to maintain. You may find you spend hours polishing and cleaning your pieces and this may make you not want to wear them as much. If you want the look of silver, consider this wonderful alternative to traditional sterling.
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