Many people love the look of silver and sterling silver. They love the shine of it, the color of it, and the way the metal feels against their skin. What they hate is the way it may react over time and the care that is needed to keep it looking its best. If this is the case with you, Argentium silver jewelry might be just what you are looking for.
The name Argentium silver makes many people think that this metal is completely different than conventional sterling. There are differences, it is true, but the fact is that they are both basically the same metal. Traditional sterling blends pure silver with copper. The copper hardens the base metal which is too soft to endure the wear and tear of daily use. Sometimes, other metals are used but the most common one used in sterling is 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.
Copper can also cause a lot of problems for people with metal allergies. If you find that wearing a sterling piece results in red, itchy or dry skin, it may be the copper you are reacting to. By replacing it with germanium, this problem can be easily avoided. The cost for Argentium pieces are lower than they would be if the same item were made from platinum or gold. Because of this, it makes these items more desirable for people on a budget.
If you want to find items made from this metal, there are many options. The first is to check with local shops to see if they sell pieces made from this alloy. This can be helpful as it can allow you to try pieces on and make sure that they fit properly and that you like the way they look. You may also want to check out websites that specialize in items made from this particular metal. They may have better prices and a wider selection than shops in your area would have.
Once you have a few pieces that you love, you will want to keep them looking their best. While it takes less to care for them than with regular silver, there are still a few things that you can do to keep your items looking as beautiful as they day you got them. Although the metal will not become dark, oils from your skin and dirt can still build up. Wiping down your pieces with a soft cloth will clean them and keep them shiny and beautiful.
For many people, wearing sterling jewelry is something they would love to do, but cannot for one reason or another. By considering Argentium and its many advantages, they may once again be able to get the look and feel that they have enjoyed so much in the past.
The name Argentium silver makes many people think that this metal is completely different than conventional sterling. There are differences, it is true, but the fact is that they are both basically the same metal. Traditional sterling blends pure silver with copper. The copper hardens the base metal which is too soft to endure the wear and tear of daily use. Sometimes, other metals are used but the most common one used in sterling is 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.
Copper can also cause a lot of problems for people with metal allergies. If you find that wearing a sterling piece results in red, itchy or dry skin, it may be the copper you are reacting to. By replacing it with germanium, this problem can be easily avoided. The cost for Argentium pieces are lower than they would be if the same item were made from platinum or gold. Because of this, it makes these items more desirable for people on a budget.
If you want to find items made from this metal, there are many options. The first is to check with local shops to see if they sell pieces made from this alloy. This can be helpful as it can allow you to try pieces on and make sure that they fit properly and that you like the way they look. You may also want to check out websites that specialize in items made from this particular metal. They may have better prices and a wider selection than shops in your area would have.
Once you have a few pieces that you love, you will want to keep them looking their best. While it takes less to care for them than with regular silver, there are still a few things that you can do to keep your items looking as beautiful as they day you got them. Although the metal will not become dark, oils from your skin and dirt can still build up. Wiping down your pieces with a soft cloth will clean them and keep them shiny and beautiful.
For many people, wearing sterling jewelry is something they would love to do, but cannot for one reason or another. By considering Argentium and its many advantages, they may once again be able to get the look and feel that they have enjoyed so much in the past.
About the Author:
You can visit www.belmare-creations.com for more helpful information about Silver Secrets- Argentium Silver Jewelry.
0 comments:
Post a Comment