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Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper, which is added to strengthen it. Light and air react to the copper in the sterling and cause it to tarnish—it will first yellow, and then blacken over time.
Fine Silver is 99.9% silver or better. This grade of silver is softer than sterling and bends and scratches more easily. Because of it’s malleability, it is not always ideal for jewelry. Although it doesn’t tarnish as easily or as quickly as sterling, pure silver is blackened over time by natural oxidation.
Hill Tribe Silver is a higher purity than sterling, but lower than fine silver (95-99%). It’s softer quality enables the people of the Hill Tribes in northern Thailand to shape and stamp it, and it has a greater resistance to tarnish than sterling. It’s distinctive patina look gives it a more natural feel.
Bali Silver is hand-crafted by artisans in Bali, Indonesia using fine silver (or nearly fine—95-99%). The intricacies of these beads can be amazing, and they tend to be more ornate and complex than the cast sterling silver beads that are often referred to as “Bali-style”.
Silver Plate is a process that coats any number of base-metals (often the inexpensive and highly allergenic nickel) with a thin silver layer. Most costume jewelry uses base metal, and they are much more likely to cause irritation of sensitive skin. Base metals will tarnish and discolor quickly, and once the finish wears off you cannot “polish” it back to life. I do not use any silver plate in my work.
The best way to prevent tarnish is to wear your silver often!
However, you should avoid wearing your piece in the shower, pool or hot-tub where the strong chemicals can dull the finish over time. When storing your sterling or fine silver pieces, using a re-sealable plastic bag will prevent most tarnish and damage issues.
Add an anti-tarnish strip, or use bags or cloth treated with anti-tarnish, and they will last even longer. The treated materials slow down the tarnishing process but should be replaced every 3-4 months.
Humidity also speeds up the tarnish process, so a cool, dry place is best.
Regular cleaning and polishing with a treated cloth is reccomended. Please remember that even the cloths can dull or damage soft or porous gemstones or treated crystals, so use them with care. Use chemical or commercial cleaners only with extreme caution and when absolutely necessary, as they will ruin many materials such as pearls, lapis, coral, turquoise, opals, etc. It is always easier to keep sterling clean through regular use, polishing and proper storage.
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