Silver is a metal that is shiny, highly reflective and often described as a white metal. Its pure form, called fine silver, is too soft for everyday use, so sterling silver is commonly used by jewelers. It consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% of another metal, usually copper, which gives the sterling silver its durability. When learning how to buy sterling silver jewelry, there are certain qualities of the metal, such as luster and shine, that should be taken into consideration. Quality stamps or marks, also called hallmarks, are also usually inscribed on sterling silver jewelry and give the buyer an indication of the quality of each piece. When buyers understand what to look for in sterling silver jewelry, they will be able to find quality items that will last for years.

1. How to Buy Sterling
Silver Jewelry

2. • Visit the jewelry, retail or
antique shop where you
plan to purchase sterling
silver jewelry.
• Select pieces of jewelry that
you would like to learn
more about. Keep your
personal style in mind when
making your selections.

3. • Ask the jeweler or salesperson if he or she
has specific information about the sterling
silver jewelry you are interested in buying.
• Examine the jewelry items that you are
interested in purchasing carefully. Take into
consideration the details of the overall
craftsmanship, the intricacy of designs, the
weight of the items and any marks, flaws or
areas of tarnish.

4. • Look for the hallmark .925, which indicates
that the metal is genuine sterling silver. Ask
the salesperson to verify that the pieces are
sterling silver if you are not
able to locate this hallmark.
• Check to see if there are any designers'
marks on the jewelry or ask the salesperson
if the pieces were crafted by a specific
designer.

5. • Make your purchase of sterling silver jewelry
once you have determined that it is a good
buy.

6. Tips
• The value of sterling silver jewelry depends on
the details and design of the item. Heavy
pieces with intricate etchings, cuts and shapes
are almost always high-quality items.
• When learning how to buy sterling silver
jewelry, you might want to purchase a
jeweler's loop. This instrument allows you to
examine jewelry closely, and magnifies flaws.

7. • Though .925 is the most common hallmark for
sterling silver jewelry, some others that you might
encounter are sterling, sterling silver, sil and ster.
These hallmarks may or may not be in capital
letters.
• Look for a designer's name when shopping for
sterling silver jewelry. There are many designers
that make high-quality, artistic pieces. You can
also check sterling silver jewelry for a designer's
name etched on the pieces.

8. Article Source: www.wikihow.com
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