What are the types of silver? Types and degrees of purity of silver:

The purity or “grade” of silver is its proportion, and is measured in thousandths; 1000 thousandths is equivalent to a piece of 100% pure silver.

There are three main types: Silver 900, silver 950, and silver 1000.

Pure silver, 1000 silver or fine silver: The silver content is 100%. It is very ductile and malleable, making it too soft and fragile to make resistant objects or jewelry.

What is 925 silver? What is sterling silver?

Sterling silver or 925 silver, also called sterling silver, is an alloy composed of 92.5% of the weight in pure silver and the remaining 7.5% of the weight in another metal, mostly copper.

This alloy with copper is the reason why the silver jewelry that we can find on the market is so durable and resistant. But it is also responsible for the gradual disappearance of shine and certain oxidation, making it necessary to use techniques to clean the silver.

But, to give it greater hardness, some manufacturers add nickel, germanium, zinc, or platinum to the proportion.

Nickel is a silvery-white metal, to which some people are allergic. Therefore, not all 925 silver is the same! Symptoms may include rashes, redness, and swelling.

Is 900 silver good?

900 silver is rarely used in jewelry, as it is considered low quality. This type of silver darkens faster, and should never be sold at the same price as 925 silver.

Although the most common alloy is silver/copper, silver alloys can be made with all low melting point metals, such as zinc, (Zn), tin, (Sn), iridium, (Ir), etc.

Silver coins usually contain 90% silver (900/1000).

If we have an item that has been plated with 925 silver, we cannot say that it is a silver jewel; It is a silver jewel. The appearance, if the plating is good, should be the same as sterling silver, and the difference will only be noticeable if you lose the plating.

What is rose silver?

Rose silver jewelry is usually silver jewelry dipped in rose gold. Rose gold is an alloy composed of 75% pure gold, 20% copper and 5% silver. This composition allows for a denser and more resistant mixture. Rose silver should be protected from humidity, as it suffers slight darkening due to oxidation. Contact with shampoos, gels and perfumes should also be avoided as much as possible.

What is rhodium-plated silver?

Rhodium-plated silver refers to a piece of rhodium-plated silver. Rhodium plating is used to prevent sterling silver from losing its color and darkening. In addition, it provides more shine and prevents the jewel from being easily scratched.

Jewelry with this plating has an identical appearance to platinum or white gold jewelry. Typically, rhodium-plated sterling silver will have a higher value than unrhodium-plated sterling silver.

Utility of silver, uses of silver

As for the acoustic resonance properties of silver, they make it a sought-after metal in high-quality musical instruments.

Silver has been used extensively as a sterilizing agent. In ancient civilizations (1000 BC) it was observed that they kept drinking water in silver containers. In the same way, silver salts have been used for centuries in the treatment of wounds and burns, as it has cauterizing properties. It is a broad-spectrum bactericide, so it acts by preventing infections and promoting healing.

At the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, it was discovered that halogen silver salts were sensitive to light, so they began to be used with the invention of photography in 1825. From 1977 to 1993, 40% of silver demand came from the photography industry.

In 1960, the electric battery was invented with a greater factor that relates storage capacity and weight, which involves a voltaic reaction with silver oxide, revolutionizing electronics.