Silver 101: The Comprehensive Guide understanding and maintenance of jewelry and silverware
Pure Silver nature, extremely soft and mallaeable and therefore not suitable for the manufacture of jewelry and other accessories. Bracelets, rings, pendants and other pieces of silver jewelry can not be reasonably formed of pure silver without the presence of a metal alloy additive to support the atomic structure. In order to use silver as metal is a commercially viable, it must be alloyed copper to increase the hardness. Because of the close similarity to the natural combination of two metal chemical process can be implemented without significantly affecting the extensibility and beauty of the silver. However, as the purity of silver is reduced, the thorny issue of condensation occurs, which you have to find the right balance between the percentage balance between the content and the cheaper silver metal (or aluminum, copper, steel, or copper) alloy is used in cocktails.
The optimum solution, as revealed expert chemists, silver: silver alloy containing 92.5 wt% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper, steel or copper. The minimum standard silver millesimal fineness of 925 (i.e., 92.5% purity). As the percentage of pure silver remains high, silver is the best material used in the manufacture of expensive luxury jewelry and high-end luxury tableware by extremely wealthy and successful individuals.
Chemically, silver non-reactive, does not react easily with oxygen or water at ordinary temperature and thus can not readily form the problematic silver oxide layer, which appears as above a dull, white powder coating the surface of pure silver, obscuring its beauty. However, silver is not a compound of the alloy and other metals, usually copper, it will react with atmospheric oxygen, tarnishing the overall look of the silver alloy. The good news is that spoil easily reversible polishing a process that chemically dissolves and removes the surface layer of CuO obscuring the bright glow of the underlying alloy. The one-step reversibility of the impact worsen already 925 silver became the benchmark for the consumer's choice of jewelry craftsmanship.
Silver & # 39; Beauty and growing in use, creating a patina or soft sheen layer of body jewelry. Silver gilt silver that has been involved in the process of electrolysis over other metals. The rust occurs more quickly in damp and foggy weather, but ultimately unavoidable under any climate. Sterling silver, ideally, to store the treated paper or cloth or plastic sheeting.
The effort and cost that you will incur a cleaning sterling silver should be made depends on the value placed on it have been that the monetary or sentimental, and secondly, the complexity and depth of the sample. Silver deeply carved designs enhanced by an oxide or French gray finish should be hand polished commercially pure silver polish or cream.
Hand rubbing formed what is commonly known as "silver patina" that enhances its beauty. Ornate silver pieces, that can be washed in warm water varnished, not hot water, hot water can potentially damage or erosion of varnish. Wearing rubber gloves while polishing silver cardinal sin. Do not do it! Instead, choose plastic or cotton gloves.
Silver is subjected to certain reagents. Rubber is a material that can cause severe corrosion of silver. The damages are so strong that only a silversmith would be able to repair the damage, although serious wasteful loss of silver mass. Embossed patterns to help her, and permanently lost. Storage boxes rubber seals, rubber flooring and rubber bands strict non-nos.
other mortal enemies among silver salt, olives, salad dressings, eggs, vinegar and juices. Essentially, everything that contains food acids. If treasured cutlery service is slightly acidic foods in China or glass containers instead of the valuable silver tableware. Although the flowers and fruits really look at the silverware, the carbon dioxide produced, it etches the deterioration of containers and can cause serious damage. If you want to use the silver containers, use a plastic substrate.
baking soda and toothpaste: toothpaste to clean, smear layer of silver with toothpaste and run lukewarm water, work is foam, then rinse. For stubborn stains, inaccessible or difficult furrows by hand with an old soft-bristled toothbrush.
The baking soda to create a paste of baking soda and water. Rub, rinse, dry and polish with a soft cloth, preferably cotton. Remove the corrosion of silver, sprinkle baking soda with a damp cloth and rub the silverware until the rust removal. Rinse and dry well.
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