Silver

The lustrous white metal with a rich history in jewelry and decorative arts.

The Timeless Appeal of Silver

Silver has been treasured for its lustrous beauty and workability since ancient times. As one of the first metals discovered and used by humans, silver has played a significant role in currency, tableware, jewelry, and decorative arts throughout history.

Its bright white color, high luster, and excellent reflectivity make silver uniquely beautiful among metals. While it's more abundant in the Earth's crust than gold, silver's beauty and versatility have ensured its status as a precious metal.

Today, silver remains a popular choice for jewelry, offering an elegant aesthetic at a more accessible price point than gold or platinum.

Properties of Silver

Chemical Symbol

Ag (from the Latin 'argentum', meaning 'shining')

Atomic Number

Melting Point

961.8°C (1,763.2°F)

Density

10.49 g/cm³

Malleability

Highly malleable; can be hammered into sheets as thin as 0.00025 mm

Ductility

Extremely ductile; can be drawn into wire finer than human hair

Reflectivity

Highest optical reflectivity of any metal (95% reflective when polished)

Conductivity

Best electrical and thermal conductor of all metals

Types of Silver

Sterling Silver

The most common silver alloy used in jewelry and silverware, sterling silver contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper). This composition provides a good balance between the beauty of pure silver and the durability needed for everyday use.

Marked with '925' or 'sterling' to indicate 92.5% purity
More durable than fine silver while maintaining excellent workability
Will tarnish over time due to the copper content
Used for a wide range of jewelry from everyday pieces to high-end designs
The standard for silver jewelry in most Western countries

Fine Silver

Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver, making it softer and more lustrous than sterling silver. While beautiful, its softness limits its use in jewelry to pieces that won't receive much wear or stress.

Marked with '999' to indicate 99.9% purity
Bright white color with the highest luster
Tarnishes more slowly than sterling silver
Too soft for many jewelry applications, especially rings
Often used in silver clay jewelry, Thai hill tribe silver, and some art jewelry

Argentium Silver

A modern, patented silver alloy that replaces some of the copper in sterling silver with germanium. This creates a more tarnish-resistant silver with several beneficial working properties for jewelers.

Contains at least 92.5% silver, just like sterling
Significantly more tarnish-resistant than traditional sterling
Harder and more scratch-resistant than sterling silver
Can be fused rather than soldered in some applications
Environmentally friendly as it requires less cleaning chemicals

Coin Silver

Historically made from melted silver coins, coin silver contains 90% silver and 10% copper. It was commonly used for silverware and jewelry in America during the 18th and 19th centuries before sterling became the standard.

Marked with '900' to indicate 90% purity
Slightly more durable but less bright than sterling silver
Historical significance in American silver items
Less commonly used in modern jewelry
Often found in antique pieces and some Native American jewelry

Silver Purity Standards

Pure silver (999 fine silver) is too soft for most practical applications, so it's typically alloyed with other metals, usually copper, to increase durability. Different standards exist around the world to indicate silver purity.

Standard	Silver Content	Markings	Common Uses
Sterling Silver	92.5% silver, 7.5% other metals (usually copper)	925, Sterling, Ster, STG	Most jewelry, tableware, hollowware
Fine Silver	99.9% silver	999, Fine Silver	Silver bullion, some art jewelry, silver clay pieces
Coin Silver	90% silver, 10% copper	900, Coin	Historical American silverware, some Native American jewelry
Britannia Silver	95.8% silver, 4.2% other metals	958, Britannia	High-end British silverware, some premium jewelry
Mexican Silver	95% silver, 5% copper	950, Mexican Silver	Traditional Mexican jewelry and decorative items
Silver Plate	Thin layer of silver over base metal	EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver), Silver on Copper	Affordable silverware, costume jewelry

Caring for Silver Jewelry

Preventing Tarnish

Store silver in anti-tarnish bags or cloth.
Keep silver away from rubber, latex, and certain plastics.
Remove silver jewelry before swimming, bathing, or using household chemicals.
Wear your silver regularly—natural oils help prevent tarnish.
Wipe silver with a soft cloth after wearing to remove oils and moisture.

Cleaning Tarnished Silver

Use a silver polishing cloth for light tarnish.
For moderate tarnish, use a commercial silver cleaner following product instructions.
For a gentle home solution, line a bowl with aluminum foil, add hot water and baking soda (1 tablespoon per cup), and submerge silver items.
For silver with gemstones, check if the stones can safely be exposed to cleaning solutions.
Rinse thoroughly after cleaning and dry completely with a soft cloth.

Note: Avoid using toothpaste or abrasive cleaners, which can scratch silver.

Silver Throughout History

Ancient Civilizations (3000 BCE)

Silver mining began in Anatolia (modern Turkey). Ancient Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Greeks valued silver for jewelry, religious objects, and as currency.

Roman Empire

Romans extensively mined silver throughout their empire. The denarius silver coin became the standard currency, and silver tableware signified wealth and status.

Middle Ages

Silver mining expanded in Central Europe. Guilds established standards for silversmithing, and hallmarking systems began to ensure quality and purity.

Colonial Americas

Spanish conquistadors discovered vast silver deposits in Mexico and Peru. The influx of New World silver dramatically affected global economies and trade patterns.

Victorian Era

Silver became more accessible to the middle class. Elaborate silver tableware, decorative objects, and jewelry flourished, with intricate designs and patterns.

Arts & Crafts Movement

Reaction against industrial production led to handcrafted silver pieces with simpler designs emphasizing craftsmanship over ornamentation.

Art Nouveau & Art Deco

Silver jewelry featured flowing, nature-inspired forms in Art Nouveau, followed by geometric patterns and clean lines in Art Deco.

Modern & Contemporary

Silver jewelry ranges from traditional to avant-garde designs. Studio jewelry movement elevated silver as an artistic medium beyond its material value.

Silver Techniques and Treatments

Filigree

Delicate, intricate metalwork using thin silver wire twisted and soldered into complex patterns. This ancient technique creates lace-like designs and is particularly associated with Mediterranean and Indian jewelry traditions.

Repoussé and Chasing

Repoussé involves pushing the metal from the back to create a raised design, while chasing is working from the front to add detail. Together, these techniques create dimensional designs in silver sheet.

Granulation

Tiny spheres of silver are attached to a silver surface using heat and a special flux rather than solder. This ancient technique creates textured surfaces and intricate patterns.

Niello

A black mixture of copper, silver, and lead sulfides is inlaid into engraved designs on silver, creating a dramatic contrast between the black niello and the bright silver.

Oxidation

Silver is deliberately darkened (usually with liver of sulfur) to create contrast and highlight details. The raised areas are then polished to reveal the bright silver against the darkened recesses.

Mokume Gane

A Japanese metalworking technique that creates a wood-grain pattern by fusing layers of different colored metals (often silver combined with copper, gold, or other metals) and then manipulating the layers.