Everything you need to know about silver and gold jewelry!
Fine jewelry made of gold and silver is a lasting value that brings joy to many generations. The noble materials have been crafted into handmade jewelry for centuries.
Real gold jewelry is an investment for eternity
The valuable precious metal gold has a warm glow and perfectly adapts to the respective skin tone. If gold jewelry is too expensive, it can be replaced by gold-plated silver jewelry (made of 925 Sterling Silver). Even with a smaller budget, a 14 or 18k gold plating can give the jewelry the appearance of solid gold jewelry.
How long does gold-plated silver jewelry last?
Jewelry made with 18k gold plating is not as durable as solid gold jewelry. If the handmade jewelry is worn frequently, the surface of gold-plated silver jewelry (depending on frequency and intensity of wear) wears off within about two years. Durability can be extended with proper care. Good news: if the surface fades, the gold plating can be inexpensively renewed by a jeweler or goldsmith.
Since the gold coating wears off easily, gold-plated silver jewelry should always be removed when showering to avoid dulling of the surface. Water resistance depends on the thickness of the gold layer. With a plating thickness of 2.0 microns or more, gold jewelry can generally also be worn in water. The quality lies in the details here.
Discover, for example, our selection of gold-plated signet rings.
What is the value of gold-plated jewelry?
There is a difference in value between solid gold jewelry and gold-plated jewelry. Gold-plated silver jewelry is enhanced by the coating with 18k gold. The precious metal composition can be identified by a hallmark (925 stamp).
What is gold plating and how does it work?
Various techniques are used to refine silver jewelry with gold to guarantee value retention for the silver jewelry. By coating with gold, handmade jewelry gains a more valuable appearance. The oldest form of refinement is gold leaf plating, where gold leaf is polished onto the silver jewelry base.
Gold leaves can also be welded onto sheet metal. By rolling the leaves together, the material obtains the desired thickness for jewelry making. Gold plating is most commonly used for the production of gold-plated silver jewelry. The silver jewelry is dipped into a gold cyanide bath. In this electroplating bath, the gold adheres to the jewelry. This form of processing produces gold-plated silver jewelry with the least durability. After some time, the silver layer shows through, and the jewelry loses its shine.
Silver shines cool like moonlight
Silver is not only very popular as designer jewelry among women. Men also appreciate elegant silver jewelry in the form of silver necklaces for men, silver rings for men, and bracelets for men.
How does silver jewelry retain value compared to stainless steel jewelry?
Silver as a precious metal is very stable in its value. In recent years, the price of silver and gold has steadily increased. Fashion jewelry made of stainless steel is less valuable compared to fine silver jewelry. Stainless steel jewelry is popular in everyday life due to its scratch resistance and durability. As an investment, stainless steel jewelry is not suitable. Our magazine contains further articles on the advantages of silver jewelry and care of silver jewelry.
What is rhodium-plated silver jewelry?
Rhodium-plated silver jewelry is coated on the surface with a thin layer of rhodium. The transition metal rhodium, which has a silvery-white color, is particularly hard. Rhodium-plated silver jewelry, such as silver rings for men, can therefore withstand heavy wear without the surface scratching. Rhodium is bonded with the silver during electroplating. In this process, the metal ions harden on the jewelry surface and form a hard and resistant layer.
How can you recognize 925 Sterling Silver jewelry?
925 Sterling Silver jewelry consists of 92.5 percent precious metal silver and 7.5 percent other jewelry materials. Today, copper is mixed with silver instead of nickel so that rhodium-plated silver jewelry does not cause allergies. The number 925 is stamped or embossed on the designer jewelry and allows clear identification of the materials from which the jewelry is made.
Advantages and disadvantages of silver jewelry
Jewelry made of silver is cheaper than fine gold jewelry. The surface is not as scratch-resistant. Contact with salt or chlorinated water should be avoided with silver jewelry.
Over time, despite rhodium plating, silver jewelry can "tarnish." However, with the right accessories and proper care, this can be quickly remedied, and the jewelry regains its original shine.
What is the difference between pure silver and 925 Sterling Silver jewelry?
Pure silver contains 99.9 percent silver. The soft material must be mixed with other metals to be sufficiently hard.
925 Sterling Silver jewelry consists of silver and copper and is more durable.
5 facts about gold and silver jewelry
- Fine jewelry made of gold and silver is a lasting value that has been crafted by hand for centuries.
- Gold jewelry has a warm glow and perfectly adapts to the skin tone, while gold-plated silver jewelry offers a more affordable alternative.
- The durability of gold-plated silver jewelry is about two years but can be extended with proper care.
- Silver jewelry retains its value and is often coated with rhodium to ensure scratch resistance and durability.
- 925 Sterling Silver jewelry consists of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent other materials like copper, and is a more affordable alternative to pure silver, while gold jewelry is a long-term investment.
Discover your piece of jewelry made of 925 silver or gold!
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![925 Sterling Silver Kette [Rope] Halsketten Sprezzi Silver 925 Silber Silberkette Herrenkette Sprezzi Fashion](http://sprezzi-fashion.com/cdn/shop/products/925-sterling-silver-kette-rope-halsketten-sprezzi-884465_600x.jpg?v=1696158770)
