EK Jewellers Essex Advise What to look for When Buying Silver Jewellery

Nov. 10, 2012 - PRLog -- Silver jewellery has always been a popular choice, but if you’re looking to invest in a piece, do you know what you should be watching out for?  There are certain things you should always bear in mind when buying silver jewellery.  

EK Jewellers in Hainault, Essex (http://www.ekjewellers.co.uk) stocks a good range of silver jewellery and has issued this advice on what you should consider before making your choice:

Are there different qualities of silver?

Yes, there certainly are different qualities of silver, and you should know what you’re buying before you commit.  Sterling silver is the most common type of silver used in jewellery, and this refers to the fact that the alloy is 92.5% silver by weight and 7.5% by weight of other metals – hence the sterling silver hallmark of ‘925’.  

When it comes to silver jewellery, sterling silver is what you are most likely to find in your local jewellery shop.  Fine silver is purer – 99.9% silver - but is usually too soft to be used in jewellery, as is Mexican Silver, which is 95% silver and 5% other metals; much of today’s modern Mexican jewellery industry uses sterling silver instead.  Furthermore, silver plated jewellery isn’t really silver jewellery at all, but is jewellery made from a base metal which is then plated in silver.  Plated silver is usually used for costume jewellery.  

What hallmarks should I be looking for on Sterling Silver jewellery?

All British sterling silver jewellery should bear the British Hallmark which certifies that the piece has been independently tested by a British Assay Office and therefore conforms to one of the legal standards of purity for 925 sterling silver.  If you’re at all in doubt, ask your local independent jeweller for confirmation that the piece you are buying is sterling silver; your local jeweller will be able to point out to you the hallmark on a piece.

Is the piece well made?

It may sound like common sense when buying any type of jewellery, but you should always check the quality of the workmanship when buying silver jewellery.  For example, are the clasps well made and do they close properly?  

If the piece is a silver chain, are all of the links kink-free?  And when wearing the piece, is the metal smooth and free from sharp edges and roughness?

Don’t be afraid to ask the experts at EK Jewellers (http://www.ekjewellers.co.uk) for advice on silver jewellery; they will be able to run you through all of these points when selecting a piece to ensure your silver jewellery is not only well made, but also of good quality.