From ancient times the natural beauty of silver has made it a desirable material. Even brighter than rhodium and platinum, it has a beautiful luster and is the whitest of all metals. The highly reflective nature of silver explains its use in the manufacture of mirrors !!!.

Although there are many uses for silver, jewelry is one of the most popular. Jewelry designers lovingly craft silver in beautiful designs that are limited only by imagination. Both cheap and beautiful silver jewelry can be found in retail stores and online. Make sure you do your research to make sure you get the best possible price as you will find a wide range of prices. Value for money

Pure silver is extremely soft and malleable. It mixes with other metals to create jewelry that is not only beautiful but durable enough for everyday use. The most common of these alloys is an alloy known as 925 silver. Copper is added to the metal to provide durability without affecting its beauty. The only problem with copper is that it oxidizes. It takes some maintenance to keep your jewelry looking its best, but fortunately it is a simple and easy process. Once you understand some simple do's and don'ts, it will be easy for you to take good care of your silver jewelry.

Here are some suggestions on how to look or get an appointment for antique items.

Wear your jewelry often. Surprisingly, wearing your silver jewelry is one of the easiest ways to keep it clean. It sounds weird but the more you wear it the less often you will need to clean it. Our skin produces natural oils that help prevent oxidation of our jewelry. When silver comes in contact with our skin, the oils are transferred to the surface of the silver keeping it shining more. If worn constantly, silver jewelry develops a beautiful appearance called patina over time. This shiny quality with some darker areas is preferred by many especially men who wear jewelry. Many believe that the patina developed from silver adds to the character or personality of the jewelry.

Use a specially designed varnish if you do not prefer the look of silver patina and you want a shiny look in your silver jewelry. These polishes are applied without abrasives that will "injure" your jewelry. Remember that silver has a soft quality and can be easily scratched. There are many polishes that can be found on the market today. They are easily economical and easy to use. Just follow the manufacturer's instructions to get the best results.

Use polishing cloths. These cloths have a special treatment to polish your silver jewelry without scratches and contain special chemicals that slow down the oxidation process. These fabrics can be found in jewelry stores and online retailers and can even be found in discount stores near their jewelry departments.

Periodically clean your silver jewelry with a mild, phosphate-free soap, such as dish soap. Gently wash your silver jewelry in warm water. Taking the time to line a glass pan with a dish towel or other soft cotton cloth before adding your jewelry will help you avoid accidentally scratching your valuables. Dry well with a cotton cloth before storing. If your jewelry is intricately carved or has many faces or corners, be sure to dry any hidden or inaccessible areas with special care.

Store your silver in a cool, dry place. Use a jewelry storage bag or a separate case in your jewelry box to avoid any contact with other jewelry as it may scratch the surface of the silver. If you are going to store your silver jewelry for a long time, use a sealed plastic zipper bag or other airtight container. Keeping the air away from your silver jewelry will slow down the tanning process.

Now for what you should NOT do:

Do not use toothpaste to clean your jewelry. There is some controversy about this, however, experts agree that toothpaste is too abrasive to use on silver and can scratch the surface reducing beauty and value. Using toothpaste to clean silver is a common tip, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Do not expose your silver jewelry to harsh chemicals. Chemicals such as chlorine, bleach and ammonia are obvious substances to avoid. The most insidious shine destroyers are chemicals found in perfumes, hair sprays and cosmetics. It is better to cover your jewelry or adorn yourself with it after applying your hair and makeup.

Do not let your silver jewelry lie directly on wooden surfaces, as wood usually contains acid that can damage the silver surface. We are all guilty of putting our jewelry in our drawers or jewelry boxes at night. Let's hope this's a thing of the past as we now know what it's doing to our silver jewelry.

With proper care your silver jewelry will last a lifetime. Now that you know how to take care of your jewelry, you can shop with confidence. Try some new looks with silver earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more.