About Silver

What is 92.5 Sterling Silver?

Silver has many of the properties of gold.  It is malleable and an exceptional conductor.  The silver used in the manufacture of our jewellery is made from the purest silver combined with a small amount of copper to give it extra strength.  Silver is a soft metal, which means other stronger metals must be added to give the silver strength.

Most silver jewellery is traditionally made from Sterling Silver (Standard Silver) which comprises 92.5% silver alloy and 7.5% copper.  This results in a precious metal that is perfect for the manufacture of stylish and durable jewellery.  Goods made for international trade are often marked "925" indicating the 92.5% fineness.  This is why you will find the 925 hallmark stamped somewhere on genuine silver jewellery.

Silver is a very resistant mineral.  It does not dissolve in most solutions and won't react to oxygen or water.  Its weak point is its reaction to sulfur and sulfides, which cause it to tarnish.  Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is found in the atmosphere in small quantities and when silver is exposed to normal air it reacts to the hydrogen sulfide, causing the tarnish.

How to Store and Clean your Jewellery?

It is advisable to keep your jewellery wrapped in acid-free tissue paper or similar to prevent items becoming scratched or the chains becoming intertwined and knotted.  This isn't always possible but at least try to keep your jewellery in a closed box. 

Over time oxidation reactions will occur, care should be taken where possible to help prevent this tarnishing.

To resist this tarnishing, try to avoid the following:

• Applying hair colours or permanent solutions whilst wearing your silver jewellery.
• Showering or swimming with your jewellery on.
• Body lotions, hair spray, suntan lotions, or oils of any kind getting in contact with your jewellery.
• Physical activities (Body perspiration)
• Constant wear of your jewellery without ever removing it.

Silver Jewellery should be cleaned with a soft cloth preferably with an impregnated silver cleaning cloth or a Microfibre Silver Polishing Cloth that removes the tarnish that occurs when silver is exposed to the atmosphere.

Steam and other hot methods of cleaning are safe for metals but be very careful with delicate stones.
You can make your own chemical dip by following these instructions: