Types of Silver I Use

Sterling Silver

An alloy is a mixture of chemical elements of which at least one is a metal.

Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper.

A reason for creating a silver alloy is to add strength to the silver.

As the purity of the silver decreases, the problem of tarnishing increases, especially if atmospheric pollutants are present.  Tarnish appears as a dull gray, or black film or coating over the metal.

Traditional silver has a melting temperature of 1640’F.

Argentium Silver

Argentium silver (originally patented in 1998) is a brand if modern, tarnish- resistant silver alloy, containing either 93.5% or 96% silver.  Argentium alloys replace some of the copper in sterling silver with a metalloid, germanium.

The benefits of Argentium which help it stand out in the marketplace include:

Argentium does not firestain. (Firestain is a layer if oxides that become visible on the surface of objects made of metal alloys containing copper when they are heated. The oxides stain the polished surface and are undesirable in appearance)

Argentium is highly tarnish resistant.

Argentium is brighter and shinier than sterling silver.

Argentium is stronger than sterling silver.

Argentium silver is patented and trademarked by Argentium Silver Company, UK

Fine Silver

Fine Silver is defined by it’s purity. Any silver used for investment or trade on metals and commodities exchanges must be 99.9% pure. 

Investment grade fine silver is stamped with a hallmark certifying it’s purity, 999.

Sterling silver used in jewelry has a purity of 92.5%. Thus, sterling silver jewelry is often stamped  with 925.

Silver coins minted for general circulation use silver with a purity of between 80-90 percent.

Only fine silver is used in silver bullion and bullion coins. Only silver stamped 0.999 purity has value on the trade markets.

As used for jewelry personally, I enjoy the malleability of fine silver and the way it feels in my hands as I form it.  I appreciate that oxides don’t discolor fine silver.  Most of all I like the slightly imperfect surface that remains after building a piece, I don’t polish it away.