Vintage Sterling Silver Jewelry Buying Tips
The popularity of sterling silver jewelry, and in particular, vintage pieces, is growing quickly and has become a popular collectible category. There are a few reasons for its resurgence in popularity, in particular the affordability of silver, and the beautiful sheen that evolves from years of daily wear, called patina. Because silver is generally more affordable than other precious metals like gold and platinum, the demand from buyers is greater, and so is the incentive for manufacturers to create a wide variety of designs.
The much sought after patina should not be confused with tarnish. Tarnish is created when the silver is exposed to air and sunlight and turns the piece a dark color. This can be gently polished off using a mild jewelry cleaner. Patina on the other hand is a soft sheen that forms when the metal is worn frequently and rubs against other items. The best way to create patina is to wear the jewelry daily when doing everyday tasks such as washing dishes, bathing, exercising, working, etc.
A few things to look for when buying silver jewelry is the mark “sterling” or “925” stamped somewhere on the item. Sterling jewelry is an alloy that’s mixed from 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. This gives the jewelry the proper strength to last years, if properly cared for. Some silver, notably from Europe, is made from a ratio of .800 or .835 silver. European silver is also quite collectible and typically is used for small pieces like charms. Just note that it has a higher level of filler metal in the composition.
Some silver pieces are coated with rhodium, which helps prevent tarnishing. The choice of buying rhodium plated silver is a personal preference. Many collectors avoid rhodium coated jewelry as it doesn’t develop the patina of uncoated pieces.
If buying silver jewelry from an internet retailer, make sure all sides of the item are photographed and you can see the hallmark clearly. You will find that some jewelry isn’t stamped and if that’s the case the seller should provide a guarantee that the item has been tested and is not just silver plated. Make sure to look for dimensions and weight to make sure the item will fit your requirements. Also check the seller’s references and return policy. It’s often not possible to tell exactly what the item will really look like from photographs.
Above all have fun collecting silver jewelry. The endless styles and designs make this a delightful hobby. The best part about silver jewelry is that the perfect place to showcase your collection is to wear it every day.
Category: All About Old Jewelry
About the Author (Author Profile)
Wanda Fitzgerald is a Florida native and an vintage charm collector who loves to share her adventures in an e-commerce jewelry business with anyone who is interested.Subscribe
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You blog is very informative. I have a hug collection of silver jewelry especially anklets and maintaining them is a real problem. your post will surely be of great help to me.
Regards,
Madhu
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