Silver jewelry
The jewelry has been used since the emergence of man as a society. Since the beginning of civilization, jewelry was used as a symbol of family wealth, social status, religious identification, art symbolism and even as a symbol of protection.
The jewelry represents the particular characteristics of each culture, race, or religion.. This has been the case for centuries. If you do a brief reading in the Bible, for example, you will find passages that speak of figures made of gold, silver or other materials.
Although at the beginning animal tusks, stone, seashells, animal bones, animal leather, vegetable fibers, wood, among others, were used to make jewelry, craftsmen experimented with other types of materials until they discovered the properties of gold, silver and different precious stones. Jewelry artisans experimented with other types of materials until they discovered the properties of gold, silver and different precious stones.
For example, in the Paleolithic era of mankind, the use of mineral and animal materials for decorative and ornamental purposes, to decorate the body and as part of clothing stands out.
It was in the age of metals that the properties of metals began to be appreciated. metals to make weaponsutensils and jewelry. This era is divided into the Copper Age, then the Bronze Age and culminates with the Iron Age. It is here where jewelry begins to be considered as a talisman. In addition, those who wore jewelry meant that they belonged to a noble and wealthy family.
A brief survey of ancient civilizations shows that in ancient Mesopotamia in the Middle East, archaeologists have uncovered extensive evidence of tombs filled with jewelry made of gold, semiprecious stones and silver. In the Royal Tombs of UR and Assyria, bracelets, gold figurines, hair ornaments, chokers, amulets, seals and necklaces were found.
In ancient Egypt, jewelry made of gold was a favorite. For them it represented power, wealth, status and having the high commands in the religious society. Another material used for Egyptian jewelry was silver and the famous lapis lazuli, incorporating color to the pieces with glass and precious stones. All jewelry owned during life was buried at the time of death.
Ancient Greece was always characterized by expressing beauty, art and perfection. Jewelry was created with gold, pearls, seashells, precious and semiprecious stones. For the Greeks, jewelry had supernatural powers, wearing them was a way to protect themselves from the so-called evil eye.
Continuing with Ancient Rome, history shows that the Romans were lovers of jewelry. The brooch was a fundamental part of a Roman's wardrobe. Women adorned themselves with diadems, bracelets, necklaces and hair accessories. Men, on the other hand, were required to wear large gold rings with their names carved on them. Jewelry in Rome, as in Greece, had supernatural powers and was a symbol of religiosity.
Arriving at the contemporary era, which begins in 1800 to the present day, jewelry is still present in every society and represents cultures, family histories, and religiosity..
The techniques that have been used for centuries are the granulation, inlaying of precious and semiprecious stones. Also filigree, casting, soldering of fine gold, bronze and silver threads; they also used molds and metal plates. Nowadays, artisans and jewelers use ancient techniques, but they have also evolved in the creation of new technologies that allow them to increase and improve their products.
Silver as a material used in jewelry
Jewelry has always used different materials of natural and mineral origin. Among them are gold, precious and semiprecious stones, crystal, glass, pearls, brass, copper, steel, plastic and of course silver.
La plata is a metal, the term is derived from Latin argentum, hence its symbol Ag. This metal is used as a material for jewelry because of its properties of malleability, ductility, the softness and flexibility of the material, its bright white color.
Silver is a by-product as it is obtained from the extraction of other minerals such as copper, lead, gold and zinc, which are then converted into flat sheets to be used in jewelry. Importantly, silver is also used in materials for electricity, medicine, and chemistry.
What is sterling silver?
Sterling silver has to do with the purity of the materialIn other words, a jewel made of sterling silver is measured in thousandths if it is 1000 its purity is total. If a jewel has 92.5% and 7.5% of other material, then it is 925 sterling silver.
By legislation, jewelry made of silver must be marked with its degree of purity. That is why you can get silver law 900, silver law 950, silver law 925 and silver law 800, and so on. The most used in the jewelry manufacturing is 925 sterling silver.
What other materials are used in silver jewelry?
In the manufacture of silver jewelry materials such as copper, cadmium, vermeil and pewter are used. There is also the production of silver plated jewelry which is more economical.
Is alpaca or German silver sterling silver?
In the jewelry stores you can find jewelry made in alpaca or German silver, this material is not sterling silver.. It is a combination of several materials such as zinc, copper and nickel and although its perfect finish is shiny and white similar to silver, it is not sterling silver.
Manufacturing techniques in silver jewelry.
Since ancient times, different types of jewelry techniques. In order to produce a beautiful silver jewel of excellent quality and finish, it is necessary to apply several techniques, among them are the following
- Function. It is the process of melting the plant that is in a solid state and converts it into a liquid.
- Silver annealing. It is the first process that helps to soften silver due to its hardness. Annealing helps to better manipulate the silver.
- The molten silver is taken to a machine called a rolling mill to transform it into sheets whose thickness will depend on the jeweler's requirements.
- It consists of cutting the pieces to the exact measurements for the jewelry piece.
- It consists of joining all the elements of the part through heat.
- Also known as amusado, is where the jeweler stands out and places his personal seal that identifies him by the excellence of the finish. During this process, the jewelry is filed, polished, sanded, washed and polished.
- Other techniques. Filigree (silver threads), whitening, balls, iridescence, patina (antique finish), among others.
Instruments used in the manufacture of silver jewelry.
The art of creating beautiful silver jewelry is a process that requires the use of many tools, without which the jeweler would not be able to make his pieces. Among them are
- Jewelry box drawer. This is where all the jewelry box tools are kept.
- There are two types of torches: melting torches and welding torches.
- It is the container to melt the silver, it has great resistance due to the high degrees of heat to which the material is subjected.
- It is a sheet with palaces (holes) through which the silver threads are introduced to be molded and stretched.
- It is used to polish and brighten the piece.
- It is the engine for stone setting, helps precision and speed.
- Other tools. Scissors, ballast, drawing die, clamping frame, tongs, pliers, tweezers, dies, drills, engraving blocks, burrs, grinders, spring, pumice stone, scales, anvil, magnet, laminator, bevel, bevel, argol, pickling container, manual milling machine, bench press, files, saw frame, borax cup, hammers, magnifying glass, among others.
Typical products in silver jewelry
Beautiful pieces of art can be made with sterling silver. Like necklaces high quality, with figures of clover, corals, butterflies in silver law, necklaces braceletssilver necklaces, gold plated silver necklaces, pendants in different shapes and sizes.
Sterling silver bracelets of different shapes, colors and diameters are also created, medals with religious figures, wedding rings, birthday rings, engagement rings, anklets y earrings.
On the other hand, an exceptional gift or detail are the silver flowers law. Flowers have many meanings and symbols.
A orchid flower in silver symbolizes supreme beauty.
The silver poppy flower symbolizes spirituality and strength.
The silver lily flower ley symbolizes purity and innocence.
The silver lotus flower law symbolizes immaculate, swine of body and soul.
The silver daisy flower law symbolizes loyal love, joy, new beginning.
The silver sunflower flower law symbolizes energy, happiness, positivism, love, luck.
The open silver pink flower, silver rose closed bud ley symbolizes purity, innocence and love.
Jewelry in sterling silver flower can be found at different costs ranging from €40 to approximately €290.
Handcrafted jewelry and mass-produced jewelry
Jewelry can be made in two ways, handcrafted and mass-produced.
The handcrafted jewelry is the way jewelers have used for years to manufacture their products. These are techniques and procedures that have been passed down from generation to generation, maintaining the unique characteristics that distinguish the pieces of one jewelry house from another.
The handmade pieces are uniqueWhen they are handmade, no two pieces will ever be made exactly the same because they are not made by a machine and they are given their own particular touch. Nowadays, handmade jewelry is used in high jewelry stores to create exclusive jewelry for customers.
For its part, the serial jewelry is when jewelry is made through a prototype or model under a mechanical process that must be carefully controlled manually. This is also known as injection molding.
Care of silver jewelry
Like all types of jewelry, those made of silver must be cared for properly, to avoid damaging them and getting that unpleasant blackish or oxidized color. Sometimes people feel disappointed when this happens to their silver jewelry; however, it is good to emphasize that even if this happens it does not mean that the jewelry is not silver.
Why does silver jewelry turn black or oxidized?
The silver jewelry can turn blackish when it comes in contact with sulfur. producing the well-known silver sulfate. The sulfur is found in the environment and creates a yellowish mantle on the jewel and then blackens.
It can also happen when the piece of jewelry has accidentally been in contact with chemicals such as makeup, bleach, perfumes and special products for cleaning the skin.
Another way is by very long exposures to the sun or the type of ph of the person. when it is very acidic.
How to care for silver jewelry?
Everyone wants their silver jewelry to look as shiny as newly purchased, this can be achieved if the following tips are followed.
- Avoid contact with chemical products. It is recommended that when using cleaning products, whether leather or household, silver jewelry should not be worn.
- Store all silver jewelry in special boxes or bags such as those provided by jewelry stores at the time of purchase.
- If the silver jewelry has turned dark, it can be taken to a jewelry store where experts will know how to clean it and make it as good as new.
- If you want to improve the skin's pH, it is good to maintain a balanced and alkaline diet.
- Do not expose silver jewelry to the sun for prolonged periods of time.
- Silver jewelry can be washed at home as long as you do not use chemicals or toothpaste. Just put the silver jewelry in warm soapy water (not strong detergent) and brush with a soft bristle brush, rinse with plenty of water and dry with an absorbent cloth.
- There are special products on the market for the cleaning and care of silver jewelry that can be used at home. Jewelry stores even sell these cleaning materials at reasonable prices.