There are some people who wear their sterling jewelry with pride. They know the secret to pieces that are always bright, shiny and beautiful. It may surprise you that it is not what those pieces are kept in. The people wearing these pieces are not spending hours polishing their items before they wear them. It is simply that they are wearing Argentium silver jewelry. The items are made from a neat new alloy of traditional silver that has some surprising advantages. Here is what you need to know.
When many people hear the name of this metal, they may think that it is a totally new type of metal. The truth is that it is actually a slightly different variety of sterling silver. Sterling is actually a mix of silver and copper. This is because, like gold, pure silver is too soft to make durable items out of. If a jeweler wants to make a ring that will hold up to daily wear or use, they need to harden the metal by adding copper.
Argentium still uses approximately 93 per cent pure silver. The color of the end alloy is still the same beautiful, bright hue. But instead of adding copper, germanium makes up the remainder of the alloy. The resulting differences are of interest to both consumers and those making items from this metal.
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.
Caring for your pieces will not be hard but you still need to give them some tender loving care. In the case of this metal, you can forgo the traditional smelly chemical pastes. A simple wipe with a soft cloth can help remove dirt and grime. If your piece does become discolored over time, the same cloth can wipe this away as well.
If you love the shine of sterling, you may want to consider this new alloy as an alternative. Whether it is a necklace, a ring, a bracelet or earrings, Argentium can be one way to get the look you want without all of the polishing and tarnish removal that you hate.
When many people hear the name of this metal, they may think that it is a totally new type of metal. The truth is that it is actually a slightly different variety of sterling silver. Sterling is actually a mix of silver and copper. This is because, like gold, pure silver is too soft to make durable items out of. If a jeweler wants to make a ring that will hold up to daily wear or use, they need to harden the metal by adding copper.
Argentium still uses approximately 93 per cent pure silver. The color of the end alloy is still the same beautiful, bright hue. But instead of adding copper, germanium makes up the remainder of the alloy. The resulting differences are of interest to both consumers and those making items from this metal.
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.
Caring for your pieces will not be hard but you still need to give them some tender loving care. In the case of this metal, you can forgo the traditional smelly chemical pastes. A simple wipe with a soft cloth can help remove dirt and grime. If your piece does become discolored over time, the same cloth can wipe this away as well.
If you love the shine of sterling, you may want to consider this new alloy as an alternative. Whether it is a necklace, a ring, a bracelet or earrings, Argentium can be one way to get the look you want without all of the polishing and tarnish removal that you hate.
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