Yellow silver: description, characteristics and cleaning methods

Silver is one of the most popular precious metals. It is an excellent alternative to many other materials. Often, silver products are chosen by those who do not like gold. And this is a great option.

When purchasing various silver jewelry, be prepared that these items may not only turn black, but also turn yellow. Why is this happening? There can be more than enough reasons. We will talk about this and much more in more detail in this article.

It is very important to properly care for these jewelry at home to prevent damage to these items. But more on that later. First, let's find out what are the main reasons why such a noble and precious metal as silver begins to turn yellow.

Precious metals

Nowadays, products made from a wide variety of materials, from ceramics to amber, are available for public sale and at budget prices. Gold is a noble metal, from which various accessories have long been produced. Only this metal is not at all the absolute leader in the jewelry industry. In every store you can find gold earrings, platinum cufflinks, bronze brooches, and silver bracelets.

Silver is especially valued for its low cost, but few people know that it comes not only in steel color, but also in yellow, white, gold and even pink. And while most of these colors are achieved through sputtering, the yellow-golden color of silver is achieved through oxidation. This means that such a product will not lose its presentation for a long time.

Story

Until the middle of the second millennium AD in Egypt, silver was valued much more than gold, because in terms of the number of nuggets mined, gold was much more common. Only later, when the ratio of precious metals throughout the world became known, silver was inferior in value to gold.

From the mid-thirteenth century in Europe, silver began to be used to make dishes and cutlery, coins, and jewelry for men and women. Since this metal has antiseptic properties, it was often used by alchemists for their work, and jewelers also created amulets and amulets from silver for children and women.

On the territory of Rus' at that time there were no sources of its own where silver could be mined, so there was an active trade in precious metals. In particular, this happened in Nizhny Novgorod, as one of the most important shopping centers receiving merchants from all over Europe.

During the Middle Ages there was a sharp rise in all areas, including technology, culture, and science. Therefore, new ways of processing metals, mining them, creating jewelry and devices appeared. Silver was valued for its flexibility in processing, its softness and ease of creating shapes. In addition, even at home, silver can be cleaned with improvised means, so it quickly gained popularity for creating products such as home decoration, tools, dishes and cutlery.

Difference from white gold

Unscrupulous sellers often use made-up brands. For example, they sell products with 975 purity. It does not exist, and any alloy can be hidden under such numbers. Sometimes enterprising businessmen sell such silver under the guise of white gold.

Deception is quite easy to spot. The first guideline is price. A product with a high content of noble metal will be very expensive. It will be significantly higher than similar jewelry with the 585 mark, so if the seller gives the product away cheaply, then most likely it is a low-quality alloy.

Do not rely on visual assessment. Modern technologies make it possible to create high-quality coatings. The shine of products made from different metals cannot be distinguished from each other. The only reliable way to check is to apply special reagents . Jewelers or pawn shops have them.

Not everyone can unambiguously determine what the 925 sample contains: silver or gold. Especially when a product with such a mark is covered with a thin layer of yellow metal. In this case, only gemological examination can identify a fake. It is carried out in special laboratories. It is worth paying attention to the brand. It should be barrel-shaped and contain three numbers.

The cost of finished jewelry is calculated based on many factors. First of all, this is the work of a jeweler. If raw materials are purchased abroad, then the final price of the product includes import costs. Afterwards, taxes and the seller’s profit are taken into account. As a result, the finished decoration will be expensive. If it is released under a certain brand, then it also contributes to an increase in price.

A budget option

Indeed, silver costs much less than its gold counterpart. The point is not only that there is several times less gold, but also that silver easily loses its beautiful appearance with frequent contact with the skin: blackness appears, which must be cleaned until it shines.

But even despite this, silver products are a good choice for those who want to get beautiful or designer jewelry at a low cost. And the exclusivity of silver can be a pleasant bonus to your purchase. This is exactly the metal that can be perfectly disguised as gold and at the same time it will maintain a low cost.

Hardness

There is a big difference in the hardness of the most popular jewelry alloys. 925 sterling silver is much softer than 585 gold. If the jewelry is used, then the silver looks more worn, there are many small scratches. Gold is much harder, so it retains its shine longer.

• This is interesting: Simple methods on how to restore the beauty of jewelry

If you try to scratch the surface with a metal object, it will slip on gold and leave a scratch on silver. The main thing is to apply the same force in both cases. You can also use the ancient “tooth test” method. You will definitely feel the difference in firmness.

If the jewelry is a ring, try bending it. This does not mean that it needs to be turned into an oval. You will immediately feel how easily silver can be deformed. It takes a lot more effort to bend gold. You should not use this method for very thin rings weighing 1 - 2 grams.

Golden color

In retail stores you can often find silver jewelry with gold plating, which only slightly increases the cost of the product, but does not give it durability.

Few people know about the existence of yellow silver without sputtering. This characteristic color is obtained due to the addition of copper, which, by the way, additionally protects this precious metal from oxidation. In school chemistry lessons, an experiment is often carried out: a yellow precipitate of salt is isolated from silver nitrate. Jewelry made from this precious metal is given a golden color by adding other elements, such as copper. For example, zinc or silicon.

How to store 925 silver?

Humidity is one of the worst culprits in tarnishing silver. Store your jewelry in a jewelry box or other locked place and add special sachets of humectant agents to these areas. They absorb moisture and protect your jewelry.

If you don't wear your jewelry or store it for a long time, there are other ways to prevent it from tarnishing. Store them in jewelry cloth or ziplock bags to keep them out of direct sunlight.

One of the most harmful chemicals to sterling silver is chlorine or bleach. Never wear silver rings or jewelry while swimming in a pool or cleaning with bleach.

Salt is another important risk factor for silver corrosion. Swimming in sea water is contraindicated for silver!

Perfume and hairspray can damage your favorite jewelry. If you're getting ready for a party, it's best to apply perfume and hairspray first. Wait for it to dry before putting on your jewelry.

Production technology

Old and antique silver items will naturally take on a golden hue over time, but you can also purchase new jewelry made from yellow silver. They are produced by adding various cheap metals. Fine silver comes in .999, 960 and 925 sterling and is very light in color and easily turns black over time. 875 still retains a light color, but lower grades such as 830 and 800 appear a little yellowish. Low-grade silver quickly acquires a golden hue over time. Silver below 800 fineness appears yellow.

There is silver and a red tint, but it is difficult to call it silver. This is a precious metal of 500 purity and below, which is what it becomes due to the content of too much copper. Silver is sometimes plated with rhodium, a noble platinum group metal. True, rhodium is quickly erased from the surface, which is why products made from such an alloy still acquire a black color.

Silver in the kitchen interior: design ideas and solutions

view album in new window

In the photo: Luxurious kitchen renovation with marble finishing

Whether it's steel-colored faucets, silver lamps or gray marble with white veins, silver looks very elegant in the interior of a modern kitchen. Below we present you with examples of such designs in different styles. Each of them is individual and boasts a fashionable approach to combining finishing materials, furniture and decor.

Delightful bright kitchen in neoclassical style

view album in new window

In the photo: Beautiful bright kitchen with dining room

A great example of how a silver chandelier, household appliances, facade handles and neon lighting for the countertop area neatly complement the white interior. This kitchen looks just as good in terms of furnishings - the L-shaped unit has tall units on the left side and standard upper and lower cabinets in the center of the room. This allows you to use the countertop and appliances in the most ergonomic way.

Designer renovation of the culinary area in art deco style

view album in new window

In the photo: Silver kitchen in gray tones

Silver in this interior are the furniture handles and the rims of the built-in lamps on the ceiling. The geometric pattern on the mirrored apron also appears silver from afar, but in fact this effect is created by the combination of the mirror and white. Generally speaking, art deco as a style is one of the most ardent popularizers of a large number of silver and gold decorative elements in the interior. Metal inserts can be seen in the design of floors, walls, furniture, sculptures, photo frames, boxes and other items in this style.

Modern kitchen design with a set with a peninsula in black and white

view album in new window

In the photo: Silver spherical lamp in the interior

The spherical lamp in the interior of this kitchen illustrates a fashionable trend in lighting design. This form is now at the peak of popularity! One of its most interesting effects is that it amazingly absorbs the entire interior of the room when you look at it.

Luxurious art deco kitchen set with island and dining area

view album in new window

In the photo: Silver and steel in the interior design of a kitchen with an island

The luxury kitchen-living room renovation in the photo above shows us a rather complex combination of materials and shades. Looks very stylish! And the silver drops of a crystal waterfall in the lamp create an incredibly festive atmosphere every evening.

What types of gold-colored silver products are there?

“Golden” silver is often used to create jewelry. It can be used both with other precious metals and on its own:

• Indian necklace;

• yellow silver bracelet;

• designer set of jewelry with gilded silver inserts;

• rings with copper inserts;

• the core of the flower is made using gilding;

• adding copper to a silver alloy gives unusual shades;

• ring in a combination of different metals;

• the jewelry is made of silver with the addition of other metals to change the color.

The use of materials of different colors is often used in the jewelry industry

As you can see from the photographs, products made from yellow silver salts come out to be very diverse in beauty and quality of workmanship. You can choose jewelry made from this alloy for both everyday wear and a formal evening.

Application

Jewelry, watches, tableware, interior decorations, writing instruments, and decorative elements of weapons are made from silver. Silver can be combined with gold, enamel, niello, precious and semi-precious stones, pearls, corals, and ivory. The metal is widely in demand in the chemical industry, in the production of mirrors, and also as a protective and decorative coating. High thermal and electrical conductivity make silver useful in the production of electronics and electrical equipment.