What is sterling silver?
Sterling silver is a type of metal that is 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent other metals, with the most common other metal being copper. It is an alloy used in jewelry making because it has been determined to be an exceptionally durable metal that can be soldered without melting or warping. Because sterling silver tarnishes when exposed to air and sunlight, it is typically coated with a thin layer of rhodium to prevent the oxidation process from beginning. In order to create sterling silver, a manufacturer must first melt together 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent copper in order to make the alloy blend together smoothly with no voids. After this point, the manufacturer can add various other metals such as nickel or zinc, which may have different percentages from 7.5-18 percent in order to achieve different effects on the finished product like color or weight distribution. However, if an item says “nickel free” or “nickel free sterling silver” on its label, it means that there was not any nickel added during manufacturing.
Why is nickel important in jewelry manufacturing?
If you take a closer look at the properties of nickel, you’ll notice that it has several benefits when used in jewelry manufacturing. Nickel is non-toxic and doesn’t corrode, meaning your pieces will last longer and you won’t have to worry about them breaking down before their time. Nickel also has a high melting point, which means it’s difficult for other metals to be added to nickel-based jewelry during the manufacturing process. Some other beneficial properties of nickel include its ability to harden in cold temperatures and resist corrosion from water, saltwater, and humidity. The most important reason why many manufacturers choose to use nickel in their manufacturing process is because it helps produce a more appealing shine. This shine comes from the metal’s reflective properties; it reflects light in such a way that makes the metal look shiny and stunningly beautiful.
How to tell if an item is sterling silver or not
For starters, sterling silver looks different than other metals that are used in jewelry. It is typically made up of 92.5 percent pure silver, and the remaining 7.5 percent includes copper, zinc, and nickel. The silver is mixed with copper to create a white metal that has more gray tones than pure silver would. The difference between sterling silver and other metals is small when it comes to jewelry because all metals will tarnish eventually. Sterling silver does not have a specific shade or color that it turns into when it tarnishes, unlike other metals such as gold or copper where the yellowish hue can be seen quite easily. It’s easy to spot sterling silver if you know what to look for; if you see “sterling silver” anywhere on an item, then you know that it is sterling silver. But what do those words actually mean? Sterling refers to the purity of the metal being used to make the piece of jewelry (it must contain at least 92.5% pure silver). Sterling also means that a piece of jewelry will cost less than gold-based pieces, but still retain its value over time. The word “silver” means that only seven parts out of every ten thousand in weight are made up of base elements like copper, zinc, and nickel – this ratio is set by law in order for an item to be called sterling silver.
Nickel based alloys used in jewelry manufacturing
One of the biggest misconceptions about sterling silver is that it is completely free from nickel and any other metals. There are a few reasons why this misconception exists. First, when manufacturers use sterling silver in their products, they are not required to disclose their nickel-free status of the metal used. This means that if you see “nickel-free” on an item, it simply means that no nickel was used in the manufacturing process of the jewelry piece under review. Second, some manufacturers will say that their jewelry is “sterling silver” because they only use one type of metal (i.e., silver). However, these pieces often contain other metals such as nickle-based alloys or copper which make them more affordable than sterling silver. These types of metals have different corrosion rates than pure sterling silver so this should be taken into consideration when purchasing items with this designation. Thirdly, many people have a misconception about what nickel-free does mean and will think that any piece with “nickel-free” will be entirely free from nickel and all other metals. In fact, just like all other base metals, nickel has value to some manufacturers and can be mixed with other metals (such as copper) to create a cheaper alternative for consumers.
14 karat gold (or just 14 karat)
There is a misconception that all 14 karat gold jewelry is made from 100% pure gold. In reality, the term “14 karat” refers to the percentage of pure gold in the piece and does not mean that a piece is made entirely of pure gold. If you saw the words “14 karat” on an item, it simply means that 14 parts out of every 100 are pure gold. If you see “10k,” it means 10 parts out of every 100 are pure gold. If you see “750,” it means 750 parts out of every 1,000 are pure gold. The overall quality of the jewelry depends on how much pure gold is in each piece and how many pieces are used to make it.
18 carat gold (or just 18 carat)
When purchasing jewelry, it is important to know what the product contains. If you’re buying a ring or other item of jewelry, it is often marked 18 carat gold. This simply means that the piece of jewelry has 18 parts per thousand gold content. When there are less than 18 parts per thousand, the item is deemed as “pure” and has greater value. However, items marked with 18 carat gold may also contain nickel and other metals to make them cheaper alternatives to sterling silver. If you want to avoid this confusion in the future, be sure to look for items labeled as “18K” or “18K gold.” The inclusion of these words will signal that no nickel was used in the manufacturing process at all.
24 carat gold (or just 24 carat)
24 carat gold is the highest quality of gold available. The term comes from the amount of pure 24 carat gold in an item. It is often confused with 18 carat, which is a lower quality, but still very precious metal. If something says “24-carat” or “24-karat,” it means it is made with a 24K finish and 100% pure 24-carat gold. This type of finish has a higher melting point than other finishes and will not tarnish as easily or wear off over time. Often times, this finish can be seen on wedding bands, when the ring will not tarnish or fade out over time and maintain its appearance.
28 carat gold (or just 28 carat)
“Carat” is a unit of weight for gold. It is also used as a measurement for gemstones. The SI unit for carat is 0.2 grams, with 100 carats being equal to 20 grams (0.8 ounces). In the United States, the standard purity for gold is 22 karat (24-karat), but there are no legal standards for higher purity levels such as 28 karat or 30-carat gold. What does nickel free sterling silver mean? If a piece of jewelry contains nickel, it is not sterling silver. In fact, it is most likely a cheaper alternative metal with little value to the item as a whole. Many cheaper alternatives to sterling silver are gray in color, and may even have visible inclusions of other metals such as nickel or nickle-based alloys. Many people believe that because sterling silver does not contain nickel, it is completely free from the metal. That isn’t the case though; just like all other base metals, nickel has value to some manufacturers. If you see “nickel-free” on an item, it simply means that no nickel was used in the manufacturing process of the jewelry piece under review. Lack of knowledge about this topic can end up costing you money if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Read on to learn more and keep your budget intact by avoiding cheap alternatives to sterling silver when shopping locally or
Conclusion
Sterling silver is a type of silver alloy that is made with pure silver. The pure silver is mixed with a small amount of another metal, usually copper or nickel. Nickel is added to sterling silver to give it strength and durability. It’s also used as a hardening agent. Nickel also helps prevent tarnish from forming on the surface of the item. Tarnish is the discoloration that occurs when metals are exposed to air. The tarnish forms on the surface of the item when it reacts with oxygen in the air to create a chemical reaction. Sterling silver will often be stamped “sterling”, “STERLING SILVER” or “STERLING”. Nickel-free sterling silver items will typically be stamped “STERLING SILVER (NICKEL-FREE)”.