Silver has been an enduring classic throughout the ages and is arguably the most radiant of all the precious metals. Silver rings are a particular favourite as a jewellery item – whether plain or set with one of the numerous exquisite gemstones available, they are a must for every collector of adornments.
The following guide will explore some interesting facts about silver.
Introduction to Silver
Silver is similar to gold in that additional metals are added to make it more durable for use in jewellery. It is popular for its brilliant sheen when polished, while the fashionable matte finish is also stylish – giving you a wide choice of designs to suit all tastes. Occurring naturally in its pure state, silver is nevertheless generally produced as a by-product of copper, gold, lead, nickel and zinc refining.
The noble metal silver has been used for thousands of centuries in jewellery creations plus other adornments and it was long considered to be second only to gold in value. Due to the discovery of productive silver mines in the western hemisphere, more silver has been mined since the 1700’s than in all former centuries combined. Jewellery is traditionally made from sterling silver (standard silver) since it is more durable than pure silver – it is classified as an alloy produced from 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.
Main Sources of Silver
The main sources of silver are from the mining ores of copper, copper-nickel, lead and lead-zinc found in Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, China, Australia, Canada, Chile, Poland and Serbia.
In 2011, Mexico was the top producer of silver (4,500 tons or 19% of the world’s total), closely followed by Peru (4,000 t) and China (4,000 t).
Silver Ring Buyers Tips
• As mentioned, pure silver is too soft for jewellery creations so it is usually mixed with other metals (known as alloys) to increase its durability.
• Always ensure that sterling silver has the ‘925’ stamp, indicating that it is true sterling silver with a silver content of approximately 93%.
• Copper is generally the most common alloy used to make sterling silver, but if you’re not careful it can cause the silver to tarnish by coming into contact with certain substances.
• Store your silver rings in tarnish prevention cloths or bags to slow down the tarnishing process and to protect them from being scratched by harder jewellery.
• Sterling silver with a platinum alloy is harder than the sterling/copper blends and is tarnish free, although this will cause it to be more expensive.
• Sterling silver is the most reflective of all the metals and can be polished to a much higher sheen than pure platinum.
• The main forms of silver in jewellery creations are polished, matte, brushed, satin, sandblasted, oxidized (blackened using chemicals) or antiqued.
• Sterling silver when worn over a long period develops a glowing patina (sheen).
• To maintain a bright, shiny look, polish your silver rings with a cloth to maintain their shine.
• Correct sizing is obviously an important factor when choosing a silver ring – if you’re unsure what your individual size it, visit a jeweller who will fit you using a professional steel-gauge.
• Bear in mind that fingers change in size over the course of a day and can be affected by various factors such as temperature, work, diet etc. For this reason, it is recommended that you measure your ring size at the end of the day when fingers tend to be at their largest diameter.
• Those with large knuckles/hands should wear a slightly loose ring, while slimmer knuckles/smaller hands will require a tighter ring.
• When purchasing your silver ring from a catalogue or the Internet, endeavour to find out the inner diameter of the ring.
Zodiac & Health Benefits
In European folklore, silver was believed to have mystical qualities and was also thought to have a purifying effect – it has long been prized for its antibacterial properties. In addition, silver was once worn for protection on long journey’s, and to bring riches and health.
Some cultures believe that silver is associated with the powers of the moon, representing feminine energies. It was also thought to make the wearer more cheerful, bring harmonious energy and provide a sense of peace by removing ill will and malice.Throughout mythology and fiction, silver has been a common protection against evil and if blessed, was thought to ward off or harm supernatural beings.
Conclusion
Throughout history, rings have been the most commonly worn jewellery adornments for both men and women. Silver rings in particular have been revered, romanticised and coveted, since they are the traditional symbol of love, commitment, fidelity and purity.
Author Bio:- Julia Littlewood is a Jewellery Designer. She is passionate about ornaments, gems and stones. If you want to explore the most vibrant and widest range of jewellery pieces , she suggests you to visit The Jewellery Channel. Julia loves joining parties, fashion shows, exhibitions apart from designing costume jewelleries and writing articles for her followers.
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