Bead Information and FAQs!
Frequently Asked Questions About BeadsSterling Silver BeadsOther Metal Beads FAQsPrecious Metals
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Base Metal Beads Sterling Silver Beads Sterling silver is commonly referred to as pure silver but in reality it is silver alloy. You see pure silver as the name denotes is 99.9 percent pure silver and because of this it is often very soft for any type of application or use. Sterling silver on the other hand has 92.5 percent silver and the excess 7.5 percent is usually of another metal and very often it is in the form of copper.
How to Take Care of Your Sterling Silver Many people find that making your own jewelry is a creative way to get things done and save money at the same time. Many popular clothing and jewelry fashion lines started by someone who set out to make his own clothing or jewelry and because of success continued to make it as a business. Naturally there is a lot of fun making your own jewelry items and sometimes great pride in using them. You can make your own necklaces and bracelets out of sterling silver bead. Sterling silver also tarnishes once it is exposed in the air. The metal part of the alloy is the one that cause the tarnishing since pure silver, just like gold, is resistant to oxidation. One way of testing whether sterling silver is already tarnishing is to rub your thumb over it. If ever you see a dull stain then this implies a tarnishing sterling silver. Sterling silver beads are beautiful if they are shiny. Make use of cotton cloth to polish your sterling silver beads. To maintain their shine regularly polished them. For sterling silver beads that have been stored for a long time, you would need a polishing paste to make them shiny again. Or you can try this simple tip. Get a tin foil and a dishpan. Cover the bottom of the dishpan with the tin foil. Pour hot water on the dishpan and add teaspoons of salt plus baking soda. Place your sterling silver pieces in the mixture that you make and be sure that your silver pieces are close to each other. Be sure also that they touching the foil. The tarnish is then transferred to the foil. Soak your sterling silver pieces for at least five minutes. Afterward, rinse and then dry. Hallmarks Genuine Sterling Silver often has the word "STERLING" or "925" stamped into the piece as a hallmark. Other silver standards Fine silver is 99.9% silver or better. Britannia silver is purer than sterling, at least 95.84% silver and up to 4.16% copper. Mexican silver is also purer than sterling, usually 95% Silver and 5% Copper. Coin silver is 90% silver and 10% copper German Silver is 80% pure silver. Hence, when the term "German Silver" is used, it usually refers to this 800 standard. Another silver standard in use in Germany is the 900 standard. German silver objects are usually marked with an "800" or "900" to show the standard to which they are made. 
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