Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. Sterling silver objects are usually stamped with either the word "Sterling" or ".925", or the Lion Passant mark as part of the Hallmark.
There is an alloy of Sterling Silver,a patented and trademarked Argentium©, it is an alloy of at least 92.5% pure silver. This alloy contains trace amounts of germanium replacing some of the copper that is usually the other 7.5% of sterling silver.
An independent testing laboratory in the United Kingdom performed tests comparing the tarnish resistance of standard sterling silver and the germainium alloyed sterling silver. They reported, "In both the BS EN ISO 4538: 1995 Thioacetamide test and the Ammonium Polysulphide test, Standard Sterling developed severe dark discolouration. In comparison, Argentium© Sterling remained clean and bright"?
Fine silver (99.9% pure) is generally too soft for producing large functional objects, and in Sterling the silver is usually alloyed with copper to give strength while preserving the ductility of the silver and a high precious metal content.
Chemically, silver is not very active - it does not react with oxygen or water at ordinary temperatures, so does not easily form a silver oxide. However, the other metal in the alloy, usually copper, may react with oxygen in the air.
However, silver is highly reactive with sulfur. Silver tarnish is the formation of black silver sulfide on the surface of the metal, and is caused by sulfur and sulfides which attack the surface of the silver.
We've got a few tips and tricks to help you keep your silver jewelry looking new and bright for a long time. We also have a nice article to post on buying wholesale sterling and "Hill Tribe" silver. We'll be posting them soon.
There is an alloy of Sterling Silver,a patented and trademarked Argentium©, it is an alloy of at least 92.5% pure silver. This alloy contains trace amounts of germanium replacing some of the copper that is usually the other 7.5% of sterling silver.
An independent testing laboratory in the United Kingdom performed tests comparing the tarnish resistance of standard sterling silver and the germainium alloyed sterling silver. They reported, "In both the BS EN ISO 4538: 1995 Thioacetamide test and the Ammonium Polysulphide test, Standard Sterling developed severe dark discolouration. In comparison, Argentium© Sterling remained clean and bright"?
Fine silver (99.9% pure) is generally too soft for producing large functional objects, and in Sterling the silver is usually alloyed with copper to give strength while preserving the ductility of the silver and a high precious metal content.
Chemically, silver is not very active - it does not react with oxygen or water at ordinary temperatures, so does not easily form a silver oxide. However, the other metal in the alloy, usually copper, may react with oxygen in the air.
However, silver is highly reactive with sulfur. Silver tarnish is the formation of black silver sulfide on the surface of the metal, and is caused by sulfur and sulfides which attack the surface of the silver.
We've got a few tips and tricks to help you keep your silver jewelry looking new and bright for a long time. We also have a nice article to post on buying wholesale sterling and "Hill Tribe" silver. We'll be posting them soon.
