About Silver Jewelry

• Silver: The Star Metal

Silver is a precious white metal which is highly conductive and malleable. Because of its softness and receptiveness to polish, silver was notably first used during ancient times to create tableware with intricate designs and a mirror-like shine. Then in 12th century Europe, people discovered that silver could be alloyed with other metals to create a more durable and useful material known today as sterling silver.

Initially, sterling silver was used to make monetary coins. Early Norman sterling silver pennies were typically imprinted with small stars, so many believe that that word "sterling" came from the Old English word "steorling," meaning "with a little star." It wasn't until the mid-19th century that sterling silver really became popular in jewelry making, later making its mark on Art Nouveau design and modern fashion.

Sterling Silver: Also known as "Standard Silver," sterling silver is silver alloyed with other metals to increase the hardness and durability. Generally, sterling is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. Some sterling silver jewelry is plated with 14kt-18kt gold and referred to as "vermeil," or "gold over sterling."

• Silver Jewelry Care & Handling

Even though sterling silver is alloyed and sometimes plated with other metals to increase durability, it still needs to be treated with care. Silver is naturally prone to tarnishing, a discoloration that occurs when the metal reacts with sulphurous fumes in the air.

How to care for sterling silver jewelry: remove tarnish easily by cleaning sterling silver jewelry regularly with an anti-tarnish polish. Prevent damage, scratching, and discoloration by avoiding contact with any household chemicals and storing it separately in its presentation box. We also recommend removing your silver jewelry and safety packing it away before swimming.