Your Essential Guide to Silver Jewellery: Smart Buying Tips & Care
If you’re a first-time buyer or a silver jewellery enthusiast, knowing how to make the right decision is a must. Silver is a timeless and elegant investment, and understanding how to make the most out of this investment is crucial. Silver is a brilliant choice for jewellery as it is hypoallergenic, suitable for all skin types, and very affordable. These are some of the reasons for its increasing popularity. Let us understand through this guide the perfect way to purchase silver jewellery if you’re planning to buy it anytime soon.
Guide on types of silver
Understanding the types of silver will help you make an informed decision. Let us see what the types are:
This is the most common and used type of silver due to its durability. It's made out of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of other metals, mostly copper. This type is less prone to scratching and ideal for daily wear.
With 99.9% purity, fine silver is softer and tends to bend. These are not used silver jewellery for women but are ideal for delicate pieces that aren’t subject to heavy wear.
This is a new type of silver that prevents tarnish better than sterling silver due to the germanium present in it. It is highly durable and can be a perfect choice for anyone wanting low-maintenance silver jewellery.
These are made with some other base metals and plated with a thin layer of silver, making them quite an affordable option. However, they tend to tarnish faster and have no durability.
Tips for quality checking
Before making your purchase, these are the things you must keep in mind:
Always look for hallmarks on silver before making a purchase; these hallmarks are proof of their purity. You can look for stamps such as "925," "sterling,” or “sterling silver." These marks indicate the 92.5% purity of silver. These are also present in silver jewellery for men.
Whether you’re buying online or from an offline store, make sure you have done your research about the seller. You can check reviews, returning or exchanging policies, and whether they have a good reputation in the market.
When you’re investing in any silver jewellery piece, ensure it goes well with your personality. Moreover, it should be versatile for you to pair up with most of the outfits.
The price of silver fluctuates; always stay updated with the market price. We will suggest making a purchase when the market is down.
Sometimes, these silver ornaments are treated with some chemicals to slow down the tarnish process and retain the shine. Make sure you ask the seller about the effect of the process and life of the jewellery pieces.
Tips to take care of jewellery
- Regular cleaning: Clean your jewellery regularly. You can make it as simple as warm water plus soap. You have to soak the jewellery in the solution, rinse it, and wipe it with a clean cloth for it to dry.
- Avoid chemicals: Wear your jewellery after you have applied moisturizer and perfume. This will reduce the chances of it reacting with any chemical and tarnish.
- Always store properly: Store your silver jewellery in separate zip-lock bags. Also, to keep it dry, you can add silica or charcoal.
- Remove to avoid moisture: Moisture will speed up the tarnish process for silver. Therefore, you must make sure to remove all the jewellery before taking a bath or going for a swim.
- Do not use harsh cleaners: Use mild cleaners to clean your silver jewellery that is not abrasive.
- Don’t use paper towels: Paper towels can scratch the surface of silver jewellery; this is why use a microfibre towel or a soft cloth to make it dry.
- Don’t use toothpaste: Toothpaste is a big no when it comes to cleaning silver jewellery. It is highly abrasive and can harm your jewellery.
