There are many varieties of silver used in jewellery. Pure silver is rarely used because it is very soft and pliable and prone to tarnishing. Pure silver is taken to mean 99.9% silver. Most 'pure silver' on the market is over 99.5% or 995 Fine. Over the years, popular mixes have become standardized, for example 958 Britannia, 950 French 1st Standard, 950 PS, 925 Sterling, and 900 Coin. Most tribal silver is 800 or less although it is rarely stamped and its exact silver content is often not considered important.
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Silver Crystal (WizAuz Collection) |
US Law prohibits the labelling of anything less than 900 as silver. UK Law only recognizes silver assayed in the UK, so regardless of content it is considered 'White Metal' until it has visited the assay office.
Sterling Silver (925)
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Silver and Gold Bullion |
Smelted Silver Bar |
Sterling Silver is 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% of other metals such as copper and zinc, which harden and protect the metal. This formula is the best for making most jewellery. It will still tarnish unless other metals are added or it is plated in rhodium or another heavy metal, but it is very easy to clean and take care of. The Wizard Of Auz Jewellery Collection uses no nickel or other allergens in its silver mixes. We do not rhodium plate our silver jewellery.
Palladium Silver (950PS)
Occasionally we use Palladium Silver, usually when we are working with other designers. Palladium (Pd) is a rare silver-white transition metal of the platinum group, resembling platinum chemically, but much rarer.
Palladium Silver, otherwise known as 950 PS, is a mixture of 95% Pure Silver and 5% Palladium. With 950 PS both metals are white so the resulting alloy has much more of a platinum look and because of the palladium content, it is very hard.
Whilst recognised and desired in some countries like Japan, the mark does not exist in other countries where legally it can only be sold as 925 or 950 as it meets these minimum silver requirements. Our 950 PS is usually stamped 925 to meet the legal requirements of Australia, the USA, and the UK but its true content is clear from looking at the metal. |
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