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.
When someone is making Argentium, they still use mostly straight silver. However, instead of just adding copper to the alloy, a metalloid known as germanium is added. While this keeps the same look as traditional sterling, the addition of a metal other than copper gives the finished metal a few new qualities that make it very appealing to metal smiths.
If you ask someone who loves silver what their main complaint is, it is the fact that it tarnishes. All metals react to the oxygen in the area. Copper, over time, will turn green. Because of the presence of copper in sterling, the metal will darken and turn grey at first. When it is heavily tarnished, it turns a dull, thick black. This makes it look less beautiful and less appealing to consumers. When germanium is added, the tarnish that results is a light beige or tan color that is easy to clean off 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.
This metal is becoming much more widely available than it used to be. Many stores are choosing to stock items made from this metal. This is because they can still stay beautiful on display and need less care than other sterling items would. If you check in local stores and they do not have items made from this alloy, you will be able to find a wide selection of them on websites. Some only offer items made from this metal.
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.
When someone is making Argentium, they still use mostly straight silver. However, instead of just adding copper to the alloy, a metalloid known as germanium is added. While this keeps the same look as traditional sterling, the addition of a metal other than copper gives the finished metal a few new qualities that make it very appealing to metal smiths.
If you ask someone who loves silver what their main complaint is, it is the fact that it tarnishes. All metals react to the oxygen in the area. Copper, over time, will turn green. Because of the presence of copper in sterling, the metal will darken and turn grey at first. When it is heavily tarnished, it turns a dull, thick black. This makes it look less beautiful and less appealing to consumers. When germanium is added, the tarnish that results is a light beige or tan color that is easy to clean off 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.
This metal is becoming much more widely available than it used to be. Many stores are choosing to stock items made from this metal. This is because they can still stay beautiful on display and need less care than other sterling items would. If you check in local stores and they do not have items made from this alloy, you will be able to find a wide selection of them on websites. Some only offer items made from this metal.
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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