• Silver has been prized for its beauty and durability for at least 6000 years.

• Silver is the best conductor of heat of all elements.

• Silver is the best conductor of electricity of all elements.

• Silver has the highest degree of optical reflectivity of all elements. A silver mirror can reflect about 95% of the visible light spectrum. (Most mirrors are silver)

• Silver is more malleable than any element except gold. (Malleability is the ability of a substance to be hammered into thin sheets)

• Silver is more ductile than any element except gold. (Ductility is important in drawing a metal into thin wire)

• A rich deposit of silver may yield several thousand ounces of silver per ton of ore.

• Silver sometimes occurs in nature in virtually pure form, as few other metals do. (Gold and copper among them)

• Silver appears in the periodic table of elements in the same column as (and between) gold and copper.

• More than 2/3 of the silver produced worldwide is a byproduct of lead mining and copper mining.

• The major producers of silver include the United States, Mexico, Canada, Peru, Russia and Australia.

• About 1/3 of the silver produced worldwide is used in photography.

• Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% some other metal(s), usually copper.

• Sterling silver has almost twice the tensile strength of pure silver. (Tensile strength is the ability of a substance to resist breaking when stretched)

• Sterling silver has more than twice the hardness of pure silver. (Hardness is the resistance of a substance to scratching)




How to care for Sterling Silver

As with every product its life span will depend on the care you give it. These are some helpful hints on how to look after your silver pieces.

1. To maintain the original condition of your silver jewelry, polish your pieces regularly using a non-abrasive cleaning cloth.

2. Soap and water will also help keep your silver looking good. Remember do not dry silver off with paper towels or tissues, always use a soft cloth.

3. When you are NOT wearing your silver jewellery, store them in a cool, dry place. Zip-lock bag and individual cloth pouches are ideal for this and will help prevent both tarnishing and scratching by other pieces. What causes silver to tarnish is air, and when it is not in use, the more you can keep it sealed the less it will tarnish.

4. Never immerse your silver jewelry in chlorine, salt water, mineral springs, and suntan lotion. Remember, some household cleaners contain chlorine bleach; these will cause discoloration and also loosen the gemstones.

5. Avoid abrasive cleaners, detergents and commercial jewelry cleaners "dips" especially if the pieces have an oxidized finish. Using harsh polishing cleaners will alter the antique look of your jewellery.

6. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner, ammonia or any chemical solution to clean opaque gemstones, such as turquoise, malachite, onyx, lapis lazuli and opals. They are a porous stone and may absorb chemicals, which build up inside the stone and cause discoloration. Simply wipe them gently with a moist cloth until clean.

7. If your jewelry contains gemstones or pearls, do not immerse in water, as this can loosen some settings. Never use dips or abrasives cleaners on gemstones.

8. If your silver jewelry does tarnish, we recommend using a product called Tarni-Shield silver polish (or another good gentle cleaner) and a soft, smooth cloth. It cleans and polishes very well. However, we do not recommend this on silver with antiquing; as it may remove this finish, or silver that contain gemstones. Note, we are in no way affiliated with, and are not responsible for mishandling of this product. Recommended for plain silver only.


Keep your antiqued jewelry looking great

By allowing the metal to oxidize with a solution, sterling silver becomes "Antiqued" and develops an aged look. With wear, the antique process will fade, and the jewelry will look less "black' in color, becoming a vintage silver shade.

To prolong the dark color of the metal, avoid wearing the jewelry in the shower or bath. Water will remove the finish over time. Do not clean the sterling silver or the antique finish will be removed. Instead, keep your silver in a zip lock bag with the air squeezed out to keep it looking nice longer.