What is the best silver jewellery?
925 Sterling Silver is the jewellery quality standard for most world markets. It is an alloy of 92.5% silver. The remaining 7.5% is usually copper. The other metals increase hardness so the material will be more durable. Alloy additions also create the colour and lustre that is so prized.
Silver.
Jewellery sold as just "silver" is a bit of a mystery. The term is thrown around in the market as a colour descriptor, especially in fashion. However, in the jewellery trade, items should be clearly identified as a specific standard quality. If not, it is unlikely that the silver alloy is of very high quality. Jewellery artists and manufacturers are legally required to either stamp pieces when space permits or tag finished products with quality designations.
How do you test for silver quality?
There are two commonly used tests to determine the silver content in an alloy. X-ray testing is non-destructive but requires special, expensive equipment. Jewellery must be sent to a lab for x-ray testing. This test is fairly accurate on most silver items. However, it can be fooled by layered metals and some types of plating, so accuracy is less reliable. The best means of testing are wet chemical analysis or assay, which require a small amount of material to be permanently removed from the jewellery. These tests are extremely accurate when conducted in a reputable lab. Neither of these lab tests is a viable option for consumers looking for a quick test at home. Instead, consumers are advised to buy silver from reputable sources that are honestly disclosing details on their materials. Quality stamps are also an excellent indicator when available.
Find out more about Annie Haak’s Jewellery Hallmarking
Quality Marks.
Finished silver jewellery will have a quality stamp somewhere on the piece. This is the quickest way to identify quality. There are cases of fraudulent marking but they are fairly rare. These tiny markings may only be legible under magnification. However, jewellery items or components are only required to bear a stamp when there is a surface area available. For that reason, small charms and components are often unstamped even though they are quality alloys.
Caring for your Annie Haak Designs Jewellery
What is the best way to store silver jewellery?
Silver jewellery does best when it's stored in a jewellery box lined with felt. The felt helps absorb excess moisture and prevent premature tarnishing. For some large pieces, it might be best to keep them stored separately inside a felt pouch or wrapped in a silver polishing cloth to limit exposure to the air. Don't let your jewellery get tangled, tarnished and forgotten.
Organise your Annie Haak collection with a STACKERS Jewellery Box
