Argentium® Sterling Silver
Containing more germanium than traditional alloys, Argentium® Sterling is virtually tarnish-free. You will appreciate the value and convenience of beautifully sparkling jewelry that requires almost no polishing.
TARNISH-RESISTANT – KEEPS ITS SHINE
Argentium® Sterling Silver is a new blend of Sterling silver invented in 1996. By definition, sterling silver has 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other materials. Pure silver (known as fine silver) is rather soft, so adding another metal helps make the sterling sturdier so it holds up to regular wear. Typically, sterling is blended with copper, which makes a nice strong and attractive blend, but it tends to tarnish easily. Argentium has the same 92.5% silver, but has a little bit of a metal called Germanium blended with the copper. For chemical reasons, this makes Argentium sterling far more tarnish resistant than standard sterling silver. You'll be amazed at how long it stays bright.
Argentium looks just like traditional sterling silver, since it is just another form of sterling silver. When tarnished, it takes on a slightly grey tone, where silver tends to form a dark black patina.
Why is it tarnish resistant?
Sterling tarnishes due to the presence not of oxygen, which is the usual assumption, but from the presence of sulfur, which reacts with the copper. Sulfur can come from perfume, deodorant, skin, and the atmosphere, especially around swimming pools (chlorine is hard on silver too) and near some work areas. Some people, like myself, tend to tarnish silver we wear quite rapidly.
Custom Ordering
Lengths of each hand woven item are listed, but can be adjusted to custom fit you. If you would like a custom size, or a different clasp, please email me.
What is light weight, medium weight and heavy weight?
Most of my Chain Maille jewelry is woven with 18gauge wire, which I consider medium weight. I consider 20 gauge wire light weight and 16 gauge heavy weight.
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