Sterling
People who have allergies to a lot of jewelry have more more success using sterling silver jewelry because it’s nickel free. Some still have reactions even to sterling silver, but the reason is because it’s a chemical reaction with your skin that is really just as unpredictable as a wild card. Despite some people still having a reaction to Sterling Silver, it’s still a valuable commodity today.
What it’s Made Out Of
Sterling silver is a metal alloy that is made mostly of silver, but is mixed with other metals to improve its hardness and industrial ability to sell. Sterling silver is 92.5 percent real silver and is generally mixed with copper. It’s often referred to as 925 silver.
Even though you’re not getting 100% silver upon purchase, you’ll still be paying a hefty price for this substance. It’s such a valuable commodity that people have taken to selling fake sterling silver. If you’re considering investing in this metal alloy, it’s in your best interest to know how to tell the real stuff from the fake stuff.
How to Find the Real Deal
There are a lot of products out there that will emulate sterling silver. In order to protect yourself from these ripoffs it’s important to know how to find the real deal. Real sterling silver will leave black residue when rubbed against a soft white cloth. Real sterling silver oxidizes easily, so this is an immediate giveaway.
In addition to this you can also do a nitric acid test. When nitric acid comes into contact with any manufactured jewelries, it causes them to lose their color. If your sterling silver is the real deal, it will also have no scent to it. If it does, it’s got too much copper in it.
What is it Worth?
Because sterling silver is still 92.5% real silver, the value of the product still remains relatively high. The price can be tricky to nail down because it depends on the silver spot price. When you trade in sterling silver, you can expect to receive around 80-85 percent of its real value due to the other parties cuts involved in the deal.
Sterling silver is not only cheaper than real silver, it is also more durable. It is the prime substance to use for any household item or jewelry because it will stand the test of time. Even though it needs to be polished constantly, something that lasts has a much higher value compared to something that will break down with time.