How to Buy Silver Jewelry

The popularity of silver jewelry is on the rise in the United States. It's often shinier than gold, and more affordable than gold or platinum. You can find plenty of sterling silver in reputable retail outlets, but a few tips might be helpful if you are shopping for silver online or elsewhere. Read on to learn how to buy silver jewelry.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Shop at a reputable retailer. This isn't always possible, but it is recommended.
2. Look for a "fineness" stamp, usually hidden out of sight, on the piece. This will most often appear as a ".925." This is the finest silver available for purchase. Pure silver is too soft, so it is blended with other metals; usually copper, to make jewelry. A good piece of silver will be 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. Other marks used to label reputable sterling silver are "ster," "sterling" and "sterling silver."
3. Look for a "maker's mark" as well. This is a mark specific to the craftsman or retailer that produced the piece. Think Tiffany or James Avery. But there are many others.
4. Ask if the piece is silver-plated or solid sterling silver. The quality of a silver-plated piece is not as high, and the piece can lose its luster. If the piece is silver-plated, it will not contain the .925 mark.
5. Ask if the piece is rhodium finished. This doesn't necessarily change the quality of the silver, but it will eliminate tarnishing. This means you won't have to worry about polishing it or cleaning it as often.
6. Look at the intricacy of the piece. This affects the cost of the piece more than the metal (since most silver is the same quality). A more intricate piece created by a well-known craftsman or retailer will be more of a splurge than simple hoop earrings or a simple band for your finger.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove silver jewelry when doing household chores or other hard tasks. It can get scratched easily. Even gemstones or other metals can scratch sterling silver.
• Never put silver in a wooden box. Some of the natural acids in wood can dull the luster of sterling silver.
• If you are shopping for silver jewelry in another country, continue to look for the .925 or other fineness marks.