Silver is a precious metal that has been used for centuries in everything from jewelry to flatware to coins. The two main types of silver are fine silver and sterling silver. However, it is a soft metal, which means it can scratch and dent easily. To overcome these drawbacks, silver is often mixed with other metals to create an alloy. The most common alloy of silver is sterling silver, which contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.
Fine silver, on the other hand, contains 99.9% silver and is much more pure than sterling silver. It is also very soft, making it difficult to use in jewelry or other applications where it might be subject to wear and tear. As a result, it is typically used in the production of coins, bars, or ingots (a small metal loaf). But you can find unique fine silver jewelry.
How Is Fine Silver Made?
Fine silver is made through a process of electrolysis. A rod of pure silver is placed into a vat of molten zinc. An electric current is passed through the vat, causing the zinc to be deposited onto the rod of silver. This process leaves behind a rod of 99.9% pure silver.
What Are the Benefits of Fine Silver?
While fine silver may not be as durable as sterling silver or other alloys, it does offer a number of benefits over its impure counterparts. For example, because fine silver contains no impurities, it is hypoallergenic and will not cause skin irritation like some sterling silver jewelry can. In addition, pure silver is 100% recyclable, making it an environmentally friendly option.
There are a few pros and cons to take into consideration when deciding if fine silver jewelry is right for you. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Pros:
- Beautiful and unique: Since fine silver is not as widely used as sterling silver, your jewelry will likely be more unique.
- Hypoallergenic: Some people are allergic to the metals found in sterling silver alloy (usually copper). If you’re allergic to sterling silver, fine silver may be a good option for you since it doesn’t contain any other metals.
- Less likely to tarnish: Alloys like sterling tend to tarnish over time due to the exposure to oxygen and moisture in the air. It’s won’t tarnish as quickly since it doesn’t contain any other metals that oxidize.
Cons:
- More expensive: Due to its rarity, it’s costs more than sterling silver.
- Softer and more delicate: Since it’s a pure metal, it’s is softer than sterling silver and therefore more prone to scratching and denting. It’s also more delicate overall, so it may not be the best option if you’re looking for something sturdy.
- Tarnishes faster in humid environments: Even though it tarnishes slower than sterling silver, fine silver will still tarnish faster in humid environments since pure metals are more reactive to moisture in the air.
Sterling Silver vs. Fine Silver
So, which type of silver should you choose? If you are looking for a piece of jewelry that you can wear every day without worrying about damaging it, then sterling silver is the way to go. However, if you are looking for a precious metal investment that you can hold onto for years to come, then fine silver may be the better option for you.
Does Fine Silver Tarnish?
The simple answer to this question is yes. However, there are a few things you can do to slow down the tarnishing process and keep your silver looking shiny and new for as long as possible.
What Causes it to Tarnish?
Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver, which means it’s very soft and prone to tarnishing. Tarnishing is caused by a chemical reaction between the silver and sulfur in the air. When these two elements come into contact with each other, they create a black film on the surface of the silver. This film is actually silver sulfide, and it’s what gives your silver that dull, “tarnished” appearance.
How to Care for Fine Silver
There are a few things you can do to prevent your fine silver jewelry from tarnishing too quickly.
First, store your Silver in an airtight container when you’re not wearing it. This will help to keep the sulfur in the air from coming into contact with your Silver.
Second, don’t wear your Silver while doing activities that involve lots of hand-washing, such as cooking or cleaning. The chemicals in soap can speed up the tarnishing process.
Finally, wipe your Silver down with a soft polishing cloth after wearing it to remove any perspiration or oils from your skin that might accelerate tarnishing.
So , which type of silver should you choose ? It depends on what you are looking for . If you want a piece of jewelry that you can wear every day without worrying about damaging it , then sterling silver is the way to go . However , if you are looking for a precious metal investment that you can hold onto for years to come , then fine might be the better option for you .
