PRECIOUS METALS | Sterling Silver
Here at CLJ, I use a variety of precious metals in my craft, but each one for different purposes. As you may know, or may not, I primarily work with sterling silver, solid gold and gold filled. Here's the rundown of all the metals I used to create each piece.
Did you know I also work with three types of silver, sterling silver, Argentium silver and sterlium silver. There is also fine silver, which I do not use, because it's a much softer, precious metal being that it's 99.9% pure silver.
Not all silver is the same, but they present a beautiful bright finish and last for forever, with care. I have been working with both sterling silver and Argentium silver for quite some time. Each of these precious metals are used for different purposes in my jewelry making process, one more difficult to work with than the other at times... It all just depends on the overall design.
Sterling silver has 92.5% pure silver; the rest is copper and is naturally prone to tarnishing. Because of its copper content, it's not necessarily hypoallergenic for many, but so many people cannot wear sterling silver.
Argentium silver contains 93.5-96% pure silver with the remaining portion is made up of germanium, instead of copper. This precious metal also has a brighter finish, is more durable (stronger than sterling silver) and can be hypoallergenic for many because of the reduced copper content, and most of all has tarnish resistance.
I also mentioned Sterlium Plus Silver. This is a silver I don't use often but only for my silver ring bands. Because the sterlium is so strong, it makes it worth flush setting stones inside the band, and it is much sturdier than sterling silver and Argentium. Its finish is closer to a platinum finish, which is naturally silvery-white and can present a soft patina and a subtle satiny texture and is tarnish resistant and can be scratch resistant.
Neither of the metals above contain nickel, which is a bonus, because there is silver out there with nickel in it. The beauty of all three silver precious metals I use to make jewelry with is that I source them from reputable refineries/jewelry supply companies with a focus on providing quality materials.
What I love most about working with silver is that it's so versatile in a way where you can change the surface color to a patina. When I first learned about patina, liver of sulfur, I had to try it for myself and boy, was I impressed. It's so beautiful.
In my early years of making jewelry, people often asked why I patinated everything. The truth is simple, I loved the look, and it meant you didn't have to worry about tarnish, the process was already done for you, in a more beautiful way.
But these days, there are plenty of designs where I prefer the bright, polished silver finish instead. And don't get me started on mixed metals... Seeing charcoal silver sit next to solid gold has me smitten. A perfect match, if you ask me. (Read more about gold and mixed metals here).
The before and after
Polished silver catches the light differently than gold. It's cooler, sharper, and that's the part of why I love about working with it and using it. Every material asks something different of you.
Each listing notes the precious metals used to make that piece, so you always know exactly what your jewelry is made with. Explore CLJ's entire collection of silver jewelry.
Cheers!
2nd model photo credit: Tyler Hook
3rd model photo credit: Nina Wilson
Product and first model image photo credit: Cindy Liebel