How To Avoid Buying Counterfeit Sterling Silver Jewelry

You may often walk into a shop to buy a product but, deep down, you wonder if what you are going to pay for is really the original product, especially as it is hard to tell when it comes to jewelry. As there is such a lot of counterfeit jewelry on the market today, I have listed some clues to help you buy genuine sterling silver jewelry so that you do not become a victim.

1. Look for the number 925 stamped on the item, because this means 92.5% silver and therefore is genuine sterling; or the stamped word “sterling” that also means the jewelry was really made of sterling. By Law the maker must mark the jewelry with either of the above. Products without these markings are rarely genuine sterling silver jewelry.

2. Get a soft, white piece of cloth and rub what you want to buy with it. If there are some black marks on your cloth, then know that it is genuine sterling silver jewelry. This is because genuine silver jewelry oxidizes and tarnishes, especially when exposed to air, so the tarnish is what remains on the cloth.



Sterling Silver Jewelry



3. Buy from an established dealer. This is because it is hard for an established dealer to sell fake products. You could also consider the dealer giving you a written guarantee and ask if the product comes with a certification tag, but that should not stop you from checking the markings.

4. Take your time and examine the product carefully. Original silver is normally less shiny than silver plate. Look closely and, if you see parts where it appears to have worn, then the product is probably fake sterling silver jewelry.

5. You can also consider asking an expert to do a nitric acid test. Here you vigorously rub a particular portion of the jewelry then, in an area which is not noticeable, try to apply a drop of nitric acid on the scratched surface. If the liquid turns green then you know it is fake, but if it turns grey then you have got sterling silver jewelry.

6. One of the ways to know whether a product is really original is by the price. If you go to the market and an item has a low price, you should know that the item is probably not genuine. Why would someone sell an expensive item cheaply, unless they stole it or it is a fake.

With these few clues I do not think you can be fooled to purchase an item of fake sterling silver jewelry. Just make sure at least one of the above is true before you hand over your money.

Sterling Silver Bracelets Will Sparkle On Even The Ugliest Wrist (Sterling Silver Jewelry)

Sterling Silver Jewelry

Sterling Silver Bracelets have a magnetic way of drawing attention to even the most drab and uninteresting personalities. Their exquisite shine sparkles in all kinds of light highlighting women's clothing beautifully. You will find it to be a crowd pleaser too because:

1. It is highly versatile in design and style.

Sterling Silver Bracelets can be worn with the most beautiful evening dresses or adapted to the more basic clothing options. They can be dressed up or down to fit your needs at the office, a dinner party, or at home. In addition, the bracelets come in all types of designs that make it easy to find some that match your tastes whether you have conservative interests in jewelry or more eclectic tastes.

2. Dress in keeping with high fashion.

The people whose job it is to know what jewelry works best often opt for Sterling Silver Bracelets. This is no surprise when you consider its exquisite beauty and versatility. Thousands of model catalogues and runway shows can't be wrong, sterling silver bracelets are far more than just a nice accessory.

3. Learn what the Hollywood elite already know.

If you are into the Hollywood gossip scene, you will already know that that many movie stars have been seen wearing sterling silver bracelets. Whether they are a young up and comer or a more experienced actress, you can see sterling silver everywhere.

4. Make The Right Statement.

Sterling Silver Jewelry is great for showing off your style and fashion sense without forgoing your retirement. Plenty of sterling silver bracelets can be had that will help you stand out and earn the respect of your peers for your fashion and cost-conscious sense. Imagine the satisfaction you will get knowing you attract the attention of admirers and didn't have to break the bank to do it.

These tips on Sterling Silver Bracelets are a good starting point towards finding your next beautiful necklace. However, to make sure you find the one that works best for you, you will need more specific tips on Sterling Silver Bracelets.

By Kim Rogers

Sterling Silver Jewelry



Video - Tips Cleaning Sterling Silver Jewelry (Sterling Silver Jewelry)

Sterling Silver Jewelry

Source : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVWClb3pQk0

Sterling Silver Jewelry

Care and Cleaning of your Sterling Silver Jewelry (Sterling Silver Jewelry)

Sterling Silver Jewelry

1.) For daily cleaning it is recommended to use a simple jewelry polishing cloth that is impregnated with special jewelry cleaner. These are widely available and are very easy to use. Store your cloth in a plastic zip-lock bag, and keeping your jewelry drawer or armoire. It is a good idea to have one cleaning cloth for gold and one for silver.

2.) For a slightly more "in-depth" cleaning you may want to use a liquid jewelry cleaner.

3.) For cleaning badly tarnished silver, here's a neat little trick :

• Cover the inside bottom of a heat-proof glass dish on bowl with a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side up.
• Place the tarnished silver in the bottom of the dish, contacting the aluminum foil.
• Add 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda, and then slowly pour boiling water to cover the piece. The tarnish will gradually collect on the aluminum foil.
• Remove your silver, rinse thoroughly, and polish.

Here are Some Tips for Greater Enjoyment of your Sterling Silver Jewelry

1.) Are your silver chains all tied-up in knots? If so, here's a nifty little trick for straightening them out. Dust your chain with a little talcum powder and then try to unknot it. If the knot is stubborn, place a small drop of baby oil on a sheet of wax paper. Lay the knot in the oil and work it out with two pins; then clean the chain as instructed below.
2.) Always apply make-up, perfumes, oils or colognes before you put on your jewelry.
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Introduction of Sterling Silver Jewelry (Sterling Silver Jewelry)

Sterling Silver Jewelry

Sterling silver jewelry is enjoying an unprecedented popularity with today's fashion conscious public. You know how beautiful sterling silver jewelry is and how brilliantly it shines. Now here is the rest of the story. Silver has been used since ancient times, but has not survived as well as ancient gold because it tarnished and decomposes. There have been times, however, when silver was "in"; we are going through such a vogue today.

Silver is the commonest of the precious metals. Fine silver is pure silver, which is seldom used for jewelry because it is too soft. Sterling silver is 925 parts silver to 75 of copper, the alloy most often used. Silver weighs about half as much as gold, has greater flexibility, but is not as malleable, it has always been less expensive as well. A comparable piece of gold jewelry might cost four or five times that of a piece of sterling silver jewelry.

The current fashion trend toward black clothing has made silver jewelry more popular than ever. Silver likes to be worn; it stays cleaner & shinier through movement and friction. So sterling silver is a perfect accessory for today's fast paced lifestyles. Much like gold, sterling silver needs to be cleaned.

What the Heck Does "Sterling" Mean?

We hear and see “sterling silver this” and “sterling silver that” almost every day, yet many shoppers do not understand what it really means. Does “sterling” mean “pure”? Does sterling silver jewelry come from a certain part of the world? Is sterling better or worse – or the same – as pure silver? And what does that stamp on the back of my necklace mean when it says “.925”?
By definition and international agreement “sterling” silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% some other material – usually copper. The 92.5% is why jewelry is often stamped with the numbers 925 or .925.

Why Mix Copper with Pure Silver?

Now you might think, “oh, well that means sterling silver is not as good as pure silver”. Well, yes and no. It certainly isn’t pure, but sterling silver is mixed to this exact ratio for some very good reasons. Have you ever seen pure silver after a few years in the open air? If not, take a look at your grandmother’s silver spoon collection. Silver tends to oxidize (tarnish) quickly, leaving it a yucky brown color. The 7.5% copper or other metals used to make sterling silver slow down the tarnishing process.

Secondly, pure silver is a very soft metal. It can bend or break easily. Adding another, more durable, metal to the mix ensures that your silver jewelry will last a lot longer, and look a lot nicer down the road. So really, sterling silver – although not pure – is usually the better option when choosing jewelry.

And last but not least, adding another metal – and thus making the silver more durable – makes the substance easier for metal-smiths, jewelers and craftsmen to handle and manipulate into those intricate rings, pendants and necklaces we so adore.

So there you go… next time you’re shopping for some new jewelry, or buying an anniversary gift for your girlfriend / wife, you will understand exactly what the salesperson means when they say “This is sterling silver”… even if they don’t.

Sterling Silver Jewelry