Sterling Silver?

[fieryred33143]

I have been wanting one of these necklaces either from vintage pearl or another Etsy seller.

I''m curious what your thoughts are on sterling silver. I''m assuming it has special care instructions but is it worth it? Is there a "too expensive" price for something in sterling silver?

I don''t have much jewelry and only really own gold. I sometimes wear fashion jewerly but that''s usually on the holidays or to go to a party which isn''t often.

Also, if you own something similar and would like to recommend where you purchased it from, I''m listening

 

[tyty333]

I think those necklaces are adorable! And the prices really are not that bad. I mean $25 for one star/pearl on a chain. I think
that is pretty good. Really, with gold being so high right now I''ve been looking more at silver too. Just can see investing in gold
right now while the prices are so high (here''s hoping they come down some day)!

Love the necklace...I say do it!

 

[radiantquest]

If there is a particular piece that I want I will wear sterling silver. I do not wear it long term since it can tarnish. I have had some that werent supposed to tarnish, but it did anyway. Sometimes I will want a ring to go with an outfit that I am wearing out and I will usually get a sterling silver ring since it will only be worn a few times for a few hours. I do not think the price is bad either.

 

[lilyfoot]

Date: 4/22/2010 11:34:38 AM
Author: radiantquest
If there is a particular piece that I want I will wear sterling silver. I do not wear it long term since it can tarnish. I have had some that werent supposed to tarnish, but it did anyway. Sometimes I will want a ring to go with an outfit that I am wearing out and I will usually get a sterling silver ring since it will only be worn a few times for a few hours. I do not think the price is bad either.

Can''t you just clean it, when it tarnishes?

I''m pretty sure there''s no way to actually stop sterling silver from tarnishing, but there are many (easy) ways of restoring it to it''s original quality.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Date: 4/22/2010 1:14:21 PM
Author: lilyfoot

Date: 4/22/2010 11:34:38 AM
Author: radiantquest
If there is a particular piece that I want I will wear sterling silver. I do not wear it long term since it can tarnish. I have had some that werent supposed to tarnish, but it did anyway. Sometimes I will want a ring to go with an outfit that I am wearing out and I will usually get a sterling silver ring since it will only be worn a few times for a few hours. I do not think the price is bad either.

Can''t you just clean it, when it tarnishes?

I''m pretty sure there''s no way to actually stop sterling silver from tarnishing, but there are many (easy) ways of restoring it to it''s original quality.

Fine silver (0.999) doesn''t tarnish, as it doesn''t contain copper. It is also quite soft (pendants are fine, but not rings) and a lovely white colour.

Argentum is a sterling alloy that, if properly heat treated, tarnishes very, very slowly (which is why it is often described as not tarnishing, while the correct term would be tarnish resistant).

Silver will tarnish even if it is stored, so get those pieces out and enjoy them! It is also easy to clean silver. My favourite way is to line a small bowl with tin foil (shiny side up) and and warm water and some baking soda. Place the silver on the foil and it will come out sparkling in very little time. This works even on silver that has been tarnished all the way to black, although it may take two or three tries.

I am a huge fan of silver. I love the colour, I love how it works and the fact that it isn''t very expensive. You can get very creative with silver, without worrying that the material will bankrupt you. Most of my everyday jewelry is silver.

 

[LGK]

If you can stand the smell, store sterling pieces with a chunk of camphor in a relatively airtight space (like inside an armoire or cabinet or something). One of the antique dealers that sells a lot of vintage sterling flatware taught me that trick. His flatware never tarnishes in his showcases, because he puts camphor in with it. It is a bit stinky when you open it up though.

 

[VRBeauty]

A little storage bag made out of tarnish-resistant cloth should do the trick. You don''t even need to make a bag really.... just wrap the jewelry in a piece of tarnish-resistant cloth before putting it in the jewelry or gift box, and you''re good to go. (it''s less than $10 per yard at Joanne''s)

 

[kenny]

Date: 4/22/2010 3:05:20 PM
Author: Lady_Disdain

Silver will tarnish even if it is stored, so get those pieces out and enjoy them! It is also easy to clean silver. My favourite way is to line a small bowl with tin foil (shiny side up) and and warm water and some baking soda. Place the silver on the foil and it will come out sparkling in very little time. This works even on silver that has been tarnished all the way to black, although it may take two or three tries.
.

Thank you so much for this inexpensive tip.

I love silver and want to take a jewelry-making course and will make my own silver rings.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Date: 4/22/2010 4:27:15 PM
Author: kenny

Date: 4/22/2010 3:05:20 PM
Author: Lady_Disdain

Silver will tarnish even if it is stored, so get those pieces out and enjoy them! It is also easy to clean silver. My favourite way is to line a small bowl with tin foil (shiny side up) and and warm water and some baking soda. Place the silver on the foil and it will come out sparkling in very little time. This works even on silver that has been tarnished all the way to black, although it may take two or three tries.
.

Thank you so much for this inexpensive tip.

I love silver and want to take a jewelry-making course and will make my own silver rings.

Kenny - you absolutely should take that course! I love working with metal. I am trying to work my nerve to try gold (I have the most gorgeous little opal that is crying for 22k gold) but I am still a little intimidated by the cost...

There are several PSer that are doing metalworking course (Innerkitten is one and VapidLady makes amazing rings).

 

[AGBF]

Date: 4/22/2010 10:20:00 AM
Author: fiery

I'm curious what your thoughts are on sterling silver.

I am a yellow gold aficionado, but sterling silver has always had a place in my life because it always had a place in my mother's life. I have sterling silver flatware, as did my mother. I also inherited my mother's Georg Jensen sterling silver jewelry and accessories. There are some threads on both the flatware archived on Pricescope.

AGBF

 

[yssie]

Date: 4/22/2010 4:15:10 PM
Author: LittleGreyKitten
If you can stand the smell, store sterling pieces with a chunk of camphor in a relatively airtight space (like inside an armoire or cabinet or something). One of the antique dealers that sells a lot of vintage sterling flatware taught me that trick. His flatware never tarnishes in his showcases, because he puts camphor in with it. It is a bit stinky when you open it up though.

I''ll definitely be trying this with our flatware post-wedding, LGK!