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Jewelry Info Center > Silver Jewelry: A Buying Guide
Silver Jewelry: A Buying Guide
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here to see our selection of Silver Jewelry.
 Shopping
for jewelry can be fun and exciting, especially when you get
to bring home your treasure and show it off to the world.
It can get overwhelming, though. With so many pieces to choose
from and so many different prices for what seem to be the
same piece, getting your homework done before you go shopping
can prove invaluable. Of course, you might say, I would study
up on the subject if I were shopping for gemstones, but silver?
Silver merits some of your attention also. There are too many
jewelers out there who will mislead you with false labels
and take your hard earned money for something that will turn
your skin green.
Silver is actually one of the most widely used metals in
the world. It is very soft in its purest state. It’s
as soft as gold, actually. That is why silver is generally
alloyed with another metal, usually copper. But, to be considered
real or sterling silver, the jewelry must be made of 92.5%
silver. There are two other lesser grades of silver that are
available to purchase, as well. Coin silver is made of 90%
silver. Silver plated is simply a layer of silver that is
bonded to a base metal.
Now that you know the terms, there are some things that you
can do to help you to have the best experience possible while
shopping for silver. First of all, it is very important that
you trust your jeweler and his advice. If your jeweler is
not willing to guide you through the jewelry buying process
and help you understand the terminology, it is a good sign
that you should shop elsewhere. If she doesn’t seem
to have a firm understanding of silver, then how can she be
sure she is offering you the best?
The second thing to look for when buying silver jewelry is
the markings on the jewelry itself. Sterling silver must be
labeled as such. If it is not real, it should not be marked
that way. There is a way to double check, though. All quality
silver must, by law, be marked with the name of a U.S. registered
trademark of the person or company that will vouch for its
authenticity.
The third thing to pay attention to is the craftsmanship
of the jewelry itself. Does it look good from all angles?
Is the design and style something that you will always be
fond of? Quality silver can last forever if it is maintained
well, so make sure you purchase something you will be happy
with years from now. This is the fun part. There are so many
intricate designs and textures available in silver jewelry
pieces. Your jeweler will help you to choose anything from
polished silver to oxidized or antiqued silver. When you take
the steps to educate yourself beforehand and to shop around,
you are sure to find a valuable piece of silver jewelry that
you will love for years.
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