In the diverse world of silver jewellery, nothing speaks more about quality than items available from sterling silver jewellery wholesalers. There are many reasons to choose sterling, but if you remain unconvinced, here are a few things to think about.

Sterling silver is not pure silver; it is actually a silver alloy. You would think that pure silver would be better than silver that has an ‘impurity’, but this is not the case. Silver is highly ductile and malleable so a pure silver piece of jewelry would be prone to deformation and damage. Alloying silver with a baser metal increases durability and allows for better functionality.

Silver alloys come in many grades, which indicate the percentage of silver to alloyed metal. Sterling silver is made up of 92.5% silver, with the rest being made up of a number of other possible
metals, of which the most common is copper. Lower grades of silver are more prone to tarnish so it is best to get the highest grade. Sterling is at the top of the heap.

Tarnish and firescale are the most common problems in silver jewellery. Tarnish is the dark discoloration that occurs in silver when it oxidizes. Firescale occurs with copper alloys. Many alloy formulations have been created in an attempt to decrease metal corrosion. Through the use of other metals such as germanium zinc and platinum, and additives such as silicon and boron, this can be minimized. However, copper remains the sterling silver standard.

The beauty and versatility of silver jewellery is greatly admired. Silver will go with practically anything and makes a great heirloom. When you are looking for great long lasting silver pieces that will stand the test of time, sterling silver is definitely the way to go.