Anyone who has sterling silver jewelry likely has pieces they would love to wear. They may want to wear them but the care and maintenance needed to keep them looking good are often too much to deal with. If you are someone who has experienced the irritation of having to polish their pieces before they can wear them, Argentium silver jewelry may be a great compromise. Here is what you need to know to get the best of both worlds.
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.
Germanium is the unique addition to silver that turns it from plain sterling to Argentium. The beautiful white shine is preserved but the germanium gives the finished metal a few different qualities. While metal smiths can work the finished alloy in the same way, it has different properties that make it much more appealing to consumers.
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.
Although Argentium can be much easier to care for than standard sterling, there are still a few things that you will want to do to keep everything looking brand new. It can still end up with the same build up of body oils and grime that any other metal would. It also does react with air although it does not get as dark as traditional sterling does. The tarnish that builds up on Argentium pieces can simply be wiped off with a soft cloth instead of using the harsh chemicals and messy products that are usually needed to get rid of tarnish.
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.
Germanium is the unique addition to silver that turns it from plain sterling to Argentium. The beautiful white shine is preserved but the germanium gives the finished metal a few different qualities. While metal smiths can work the finished alloy in the same way, it has different properties that make it much more appealing to consumers.
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.
Although Argentium can be much easier to care for than standard sterling, there are still a few things that you will want to do to keep everything looking brand new. It can still end up with the same build up of body oils and grime that any other metal would. It also does react with air although it does not get as dark as traditional sterling does. The tarnish that builds up on Argentium pieces can simply be wiped off with a soft cloth instead of using the harsh chemicals and messy products that are usually needed to get rid of tarnish.
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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