When it comes to the silver jewellery in your collection, there’s a pretty good chance most of it’s sterling. That’s because sterling is the most common type of silver used in jewellery manufacturing today. It’s durable, looks great and is easy to clean. But there’s another type of silver that jewellery makers are embracing.
Argentium silver is relatively new. It was first produced in 1990 and was patented and trademarked in the UK by the Argentium Silver Company. And while it’s still heavily overshadowed by sterling, many jewellers and wearers are seeking it out.
What Makes Argentium Silver Different?
Argentium contains a slightly larger amount of pure silver than sterling. It comes in two grades - 935 (93.5% pure silver) and 960 (96.0% pure silver). The remaining material includes alloys such as germanium. Sterling, on the other hand, is composed of 92.5% pure silver along with other metals (usually copper).
This small difference in composition creates some attractive benefits, such as:
- Argentium silver is tarnish-resistant and extremely durable, which means less maintenance.
- It’s made from 100% recycled silver.
- Jewellery made with Argentium is whiter than sterling and shines a bit brighter.
- It contains hypoallergenic properties and is nickel-free - perfect for people who are allergic to sterling silver.
Experience the Greatness of Argentium Jewellery
For me, an advantage of Argentium silver is it allows me to work with a different material and bring some versatility to my line. And while sterling is my go-to, I’m excited to mix things up.
My new Orb Collection is all Argentium. With this collection, I refrained from oxidising some pieces to bring out the shine of Argentium. Then, I used oxidisation on others for an old-school look.
To give you a better idea….
- Without oxidation, I achieved an almost white gleam on these granulated silver hoop earrings and this bar necklace.
- On the other hand, through oxidation, I got a vintage look on these boulder opal dangle earrings and these oxidised silver hoops.
Playing with the contrast was a blast and showed me how dynamic Argentium can be.
If you’re new to Argentium jewellery, I highly suggest adding some to your collection. Take a look at my Orb Collection and find a piece that speaks to you.