Choosing the Right High Quality Silver Rings
High quality silver rings have been around for centuries and even before civilization, this had served as ornamental objects for ancient people. In modern world, people look up to this as an intricate piece of metal art that dazzles both men and women. But do not be overcome by the intricate design on the ring because this can be done with a machine that makes it look like the real thing.
One of the most important factors of choosing first-class silver rings is its metal composition. Most craftsmen, in order to save on the cost of material use nickel silver which is no silver at all but a combination of metals like copper, zinc and nickel. When this is made with materials like these and intricately designed with award-winning elaborate pattern, you would really think that it’s the real thing but when you check with color testing solution, you will notice that its silvery finish fades out.
Another way of finding out if what you have or will purchase is a high quality silver ring is the or initials numbers engraved on the inside of the silver ring. A real high quality silver ring should have initials inside with “S.S” or the numbers “.925”, “.999”, “.900”.
Sterling silver goes with the number or rating of .925 which is pure but slightly harder. This is usually used on low cost silver jewelries and their target markets are teenagers. Fine silver is rated .999, it is a pure silver but with softer characteristic ideal for delicate and fine jewelries. Coin quality silver is rated .900. This is still in a quality class but is much harder than the sterling. So if you are in the look out of high quality silver ring, you should check its rating first.
But not all high quality silver rings are stamped with initials and ratings. Some countries do not demand jewelry makers to stamp their creation but it doesn’t mean that it is not pure silver. You can test your ring by putting it in a solution test. This liquid solution contains high amount of acid that can be harmful to human skin if touched so be careful when using it. You can thinly scratch the silver item on a discreet area then place a little amount of the nitric acid solution. If its color becomes milky then it is high quality silver but if it turns into a blackish color then it is a coin quality silver. What you have to watch out for are the ones claimed to high quality silver rings but in reality, they are not. By testing it, use the same step as before and watch for the color change. If it becomes greenish then it is poor in quality because the “silver ring” contains high amount of copper and if it turns gold, it is just a brass ring plated with silver. Magnets can also be used in establishing whether it is silver plated or pure silver. Silver is a type of soft metal that is not attracted by magnet. If it reacts to it, surely it has a high content of other metal, more than silver itself and is deemed to be poor in quality.
