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.
The name Argentium silver makes many people think that this metal is completely different than conventional sterling. There are differences, it is true, but the fact is that they are both basically the same metal. Traditional sterling blends pure silver with copper. The copper hardens the base metal which is too soft to endure the wear and tear of daily use. Sometimes, other metals are used but the most common one used in sterling is copper.
When someone is making Argentium, they still use mostly straight silver. However, instead of just adding copper to the alloy, a metalloid known as germanium is added. While this keeps the same look as traditional sterling, the addition of a metal other than copper gives the finished metal a few new qualities that make it very appealing to metal smiths.
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.
Once you have a few pieces that you love, you will want to keep them looking their best. While it takes less to care for them than with regular silver, there are still a few things that you can do to keep your items looking as beautiful as they day you got them. Although the metal will not become dark, oils from your skin and dirt can still build up. Wiping down your pieces with a soft cloth will clean them and keep them shiny and beautiful.
While sterling can be lovely to look at, and to wear, it can be annoying and time consuming to maintain. You may find you spend hours polishing and cleaning your pieces and this may make you not want to wear them as much. If you want the look of silver, consider this wonderful alternative to traditional sterling.
The name Argentium silver makes many people think that this metal is completely different than conventional sterling. There are differences, it is true, but the fact is that they are both basically the same metal. Traditional sterling blends pure silver with copper. The copper hardens the base metal which is too soft to endure the wear and tear of daily use. Sometimes, other metals are used but the most common one used in sterling is copper.
When someone is making Argentium, they still use mostly straight silver. However, instead of just adding copper to the alloy, a metalloid known as germanium is added. While this keeps the same look as traditional sterling, the addition of a metal other than copper gives the finished metal a few new qualities that make it very appealing to metal smiths.
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.
Once you have a few pieces that you love, you will want to keep them looking their best. While it takes less to care for them than with regular silver, there are still a few things that you can do to keep your items looking as beautiful as they day you got them. Although the metal will not become dark, oils from your skin and dirt can still build up. Wiping down your pieces with a soft cloth will clean them and keep them shiny and beautiful.
While sterling can be lovely to look at, and to wear, it can be annoying and time consuming to maintain. You may find you spend hours polishing and cleaning your pieces and this may make you not want to wear them as much. If you want the look of silver, consider this wonderful alternative to traditional sterling.
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