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.
When many people hear the name of this metal, they may think that it is a totally new type of metal. The truth is that it is actually a slightly different variety of sterling silver. Sterling is actually a mix of silver and copper. This is because, like gold, pure silver is too soft to make durable items out of. If a jeweler wants to make a ring that will hold up to daily wear or use, they need to harden the metal by adding copper.
Argentium still uses approximately 93 per cent pure silver. The color of the end alloy is still the same beautiful, bright hue. But instead of adding copper, germanium makes up the remainder of the alloy. The resulting differences are of interest to both consumers and those making items from this metal.
Tarnishing is one traditional property of sterling and is perhaps its best-known drawback. The metal will, over time, react with oxygen and slowly become darker and duller. Fine details such as engraving can actually disappear and it may take a long time and a lot of elbow grease to restore the traditional, beautiful gleam of the metal underneath. While many people think that Argentium does not tarnish at all, the fact is that this metal does discolor. It may turn a light tan color and any discoloration on the surface can be easily removed with a cloth.
It can also be a good choice for people who cannot normally wear sterling items. Many people react to the copper or other metals used to make the alloy but they might not have a reaction to germanium. They may not experience the same redness and itching skin that normal sterling would give them. For people who love wearing metal items but who do not want to pay extra for gold or platinum, this can mean that metal jewelry is again something they can enjoy.
Once you know what you are looking for, you can then start searching out individual pieces. You might want to start out by checking local stores to see if they offer this different variant of sterling. Being able to try specific pieces on can be helpful since sizing can vary quite a bit from piece to piece and from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you see pieces described as tarnish-free silver, you should ask and make sure they are actually Argentium and not made from some other metal or coated to prevent tarnishing.
Caring for your pieces will not be hard but you still need to give them some tender loving care. In the case of this metal, you can forgo the traditional smelly chemical pastes. A simple wipe with a soft cloth can help remove dirt and grime. If your piece does become discolored over time, the same cloth can wipe this away as well.
If you love the shine of sterling, you may want to consider this new alloy as an alternative. Whether it is a necklace, a ring, a bracelet or earrings, Argentium can be one way to get the look you want without all of the polishing and tarnish removal that you hate.
When many people hear the name of this metal, they may think that it is a totally new type of metal. The truth is that it is actually a slightly different variety of sterling silver. Sterling is actually a mix of silver and copper. This is because, like gold, pure silver is too soft to make durable items out of. If a jeweler wants to make a ring that will hold up to daily wear or use, they need to harden the metal by adding copper.
Argentium still uses approximately 93 per cent pure silver. The color of the end alloy is still the same beautiful, bright hue. But instead of adding copper, germanium makes up the remainder of the alloy. The resulting differences are of interest to both consumers and those making items from this metal.
Tarnishing is one traditional property of sterling and is perhaps its best-known drawback. The metal will, over time, react with oxygen and slowly become darker and duller. Fine details such as engraving can actually disappear and it may take a long time and a lot of elbow grease to restore the traditional, beautiful gleam of the metal underneath. While many people think that Argentium does not tarnish at all, the fact is that this metal does discolor. It may turn a light tan color and any discoloration on the surface can be easily removed with a cloth.
It can also be a good choice for people who cannot normally wear sterling items. Many people react to the copper or other metals used to make the alloy but they might not have a reaction to germanium. They may not experience the same redness and itching skin that normal sterling would give them. For people who love wearing metal items but who do not want to pay extra for gold or platinum, this can mean that metal jewelry is again something they can enjoy.
Once you know what you are looking for, you can then start searching out individual pieces. You might want to start out by checking local stores to see if they offer this different variant of sterling. Being able to try specific pieces on can be helpful since sizing can vary quite a bit from piece to piece and from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you see pieces described as tarnish-free silver, you should ask and make sure they are actually Argentium and not made from some other metal or coated to prevent tarnishing.
Caring for your pieces will not be hard but you still need to give them some tender loving care. In the case of this metal, you can forgo the traditional smelly chemical pastes. A simple wipe with a soft cloth can help remove dirt and grime. If your piece does become discolored over time, the same cloth can wipe this away as well.
If you love the shine of sterling, you may want to consider this new alloy as an alternative. Whether it is a necklace, a ring, a bracelet or earrings, Argentium can be one way to get the look you want without all of the polishing and tarnish removal that you hate.
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