The Timeless Beauty of Silver Jewelry
Silver jewelry captivates with its lustrous shine, whether you are wearing sterling silver earrings or a bracelet. Handmade silver jewelry provides more than just beauty, though. It’s versatile — enhancing many styles, from casual to formal and contemporary to classic — and more affordable than other precious metals, such as gold and platinum.
There is a reason why silver jewelry has existed for millennia, starting as early as ancient Mesopotamia. The durable material charms us with extraordinary properties, always catching the light perfectly whether you’re wearing a sterling silver ring, bracelet, earrings, or necklace. Silver reflects almost all wavelengths of visible light and is the whitest of the white metals, including platinum and palladium.
4 Reasons to Choose Silver Jewelry
Silver’s beauty infuses a simple elegance into everyday and special occasion looks. Whether you are shopping for a sterling silver necklace (like our Petite Teardrop Necklace) or a few sterling silver rings, you’ll find a wide range of jewelry choices. Here are five reasons you should be buying handmade silver jewelry:
1. Because It Matches Your Personal Style
Whether you are looking for a sterling silver bracelet or ring, consider how the handmade jewelry makes you feel and how it pairs with your other accessories and wardrobe. The wonderful thing about silver is how it complements an array of styles and circumstances, giving you great options when considering handmade jewelry.
Sterling silver’s neutral tone makes pairing it with other gemstones and metals easy. Whether that sterling silver bracelet uses an emerald or a purple resin as a focal point, both options will look good. You’ll also find that mixing metals can make for fabulous and versatile designs, as you see with our Ivory/Gold Enamel Earrings featuring oxidized sterling silver and pure gold foil accents.
2. Because The Price Point Is In Your Budget
Precious metals such as gold and platinum are less abundant, while sterling silver’s greater supply lowers its cost. That can make, say, a sterling silver necklace more affordable than one crafted from 18k yellow gold.
Staying within your budget makes you less likely to indulge in impulse purchases.
3. Because It Provides Long-Term Value
Although the price of silver fluctuates, it remains an accessible commodity and a durable jewelry choice. While not as valuable as gold or platinum, it still can become a worthwhile investment, especially if you opt for pieces that feature unique designs, come from a well-known artisan, or have historical significance, like a locket crafted from vintage silver quarters.
Remember, significant sentimental value has its own importance. A treasured gift or keepsake like a sterling silver ring your parents gave you for graduation is priceless.
4. Because It Is a Timeless Metal
Silver never goes out of style. Cleopatra, the Queen of the Nile, loved all types of Egyptian jewelry, including silver. Other fans of the metal include Queen Elizabeth I of England and actresses Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor (she wasn’t just about big diamonds). You will enjoy the elegance of your sterling silver bracelets, rings, necklaces, and earrings for years and years.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Silver Jewelry?
When the perfect pair of sterling silver earrings catches your eye at a craft fair or store, and you wonder whether to purchase it or go for that gold-plated or gold-filled alternative, consider the benefits and drawbacks of each material type. With sterling silver, you’ll find that its pros include:
It’s beautiful. Silver looks good with many metals, gemstones, and finishes. This versatility allows silversmiths to create a wide range of pieces. At Wear Ever Jewelry, we have a unique variety of sterling silver earrings, rings, bracelets, and necklaces.
It’s malleable. Artists can hammer or press it into all kinds of shapes, allowing them to experiment with unique designs, whether they make sterling silver bracelets or pendants. It is also ductile, which means it can become wire, allowing artisans to mold it in intricate ways.
It retains value. Besides offering more affordability than other metals, silver historically remains in demand and maintains its worth whether you have sterling silver earrings or other jewelry.
Every metal type offers some cons — for instance, gold is soft and can scratch. Silver is no different. While the metal has its merits, before purchasing that new sterling silver ring, you should consider a few factors:
Silver can tarnish, turning dark or green over time. This discoloration is the result of a natural oxidation process when the metal reacts with sulfur, a substance that enters the air through pollution, sweat, and humidity — and even volcanic eruptions! How badly your sterling silver earrings will tarnish depends on an array of factors, including the environment you live in, the silver’s quality, and what chemicals you interact with. The good news, though, is that proper care can minimize this, and it can also be polished away, keeping your sterling silver earrings’ luster brilliant!
Silver is soft. Since silver is a softer metal, you’ll find it can occasionally get scratches and dents. You want to avoid that, whether you’re wearing a sterling silver ring or a sterling silver necklace.
There are better choices than silver when you’re active. While silver can be worn daily, it is not as tough as harder metals like platinum. So, give your sterling silver ring a break and leave it in your jewelry box before playing sports like handball. Be mindful, too, when you don that sterling silver bracelet. You don’t want to mar it with dents if you’re going to be active.
How to Care for Your Silver Jewelry
If you properly care for your handmade silver jewelry, you’ll enjoy it for a lifetime. Here’s the good news: while the metal needs attention, it is easy to clean. To maintain your silver jewelry’s beauty, whether you own sterling silver bracelets, rings, necklaces, or earrings, you’ll want to do the following:
Wear your sterling silver regularly. Yes, wearing your sterling silver earrings will prevent tarnishing. That’s because your skin’s oils can protect the metal. When silver interacts with the air’s sulfur compounds, silver sulfide forms, and that’s what causes the green coloring on your sterling silver earrings. Your skin’s oil acts as a barrier, preventing the chemical reaction.
Storing your silver jewelry properly prevents tarnish. Tarnish-resistant pouches or bags can help keep your sterling silver necklace free of discoloration. These are made from materials like silicon dioxide or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that either absorb or neutralize those troublesome sulfur compounds. You should also keep your sterling silver necklace away from direct sunlight and moisture.
Clean your silver often. A silver-cleaning solution or a soft polishing cloth is all you need to remove tarnish and make your sterling silver ring look like new. Avoid any abrasive cleaner or anything with harsh chemicals, such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, or hydrochloric acid, on that sterling silver ring. All these can make your sterling silver ring brittle and discolored. You can also have your sterling silver jewelry cleaned, polished, and repaired by a jeweler.
Wear Ever Jewelry’s Unique Silver Collection
Our artisans design their jewelry in a variety of styles, from contemporary to classic. And many feature unique gemstones, such as lapis necklaces and rose quartz heart pendants, as well as traditional stones to suit any taste.
Silver Jewelry FAQs: Your Top Questions Answered
Q: What factors impact the price of silver jewelry?
A: When purchasing something like a sterling silver ring, you’ll find the cost depends on a variety of things: the weight of the sterling silver ring, how intricate the craftsmanship is, the gemstones used, and if the designer or brand is well-known. The current economic climate may also influence price — if the cost of silver rises, in general, silver jewelry will also become more expensive.
Q: Is silver the best metal for budget-conscious jewelry?
A: This depends on your personal preference and budget. All metals have advantages and disadvantages, such as higher or lower costs, better durability, tarnish resistance (or not), and how well they retain their value. In general, silver is an affordable metal with good durability that preserves its worth, whether you purchase a sterling silver ring or another piece of jewelry.
Q: Is silver hypoallergenic?
A: Some silver contains nickel in the alloy and that is what most people are sensitive to. If sterling is nickel-free, there is a much lower chance of skin irritation.
Q: How do I know if a silver jewelry seller is reputable?
A: Before purchasing sterling silver necklaces, bracelets, rings, or earrings, do your homework. Look at the seller’s reviews, testimonials, and credentials. You want feedback on the quality of their product, customer service, and reputation. Check what return and warranty policies are offered — you want to ensure that you can exchange your sterling silver necklace, etc., for a refund or credit if you’re unhappy with the product or if it breaks soon after your purchase.
A responsible seller also understands silver jewelry and can answer questions and make suggestions without using high-pressure sales tactics. Can they advise you about preventing tarnish and caring for your jewelry? Can they identify hallmarks and tell you about the piece’s sterling silver composition? A reputable seller should know what silver pairs best with as well as its limitations.
Whether you prefer to wear sterling silver rings, bracelets, or other styles, silver gives you timeless and affordable options. While the metal needs care, its beauty and special properties make it an excellent handmade jewelry choice. Now that you understand the benefits of buying silver, take another look at those sterling silver earrings you’ve had your eye on. Maybe it’s worth that second glance.