Reasons To Get Silver Plated Jewelry And How To Take Care Of It Thailand
Top Silver jewelry adds a sense of elegance and sophistication to any outfit. However, buying pure metals can sometimes be a very expensive choice. The easiest solution to this problem is to simply buy silver plated jewelry. Silver plated jewelry gives the appearance of wearing silver jewelry without the company of the hefty cost that often slides along with silver plated jewelry.
It is a very good substitute for pure or sterling silver because it is quite a difficult task to tell the difference between real silver ornaments and silver plated items, the pro being that silver plated jewelry is nowhere near as expensive as the real one. There are many reasons why the masses buy silver plated items more than they buy the pure metals, so if you’re perplexed about it, here’s our list of reasons to get silver plated jewelry and how to take care of it.
What Is Silver Plated Jewelry?
So before we progress any further, what is silver plated jewelry? Usually, the process of plating involves using one metal or alloy to cover a piece of jewelry made from another metal through electrolysis. For example, a thin layer of silver can be used to coat a ring in which the base metal is iron, or bronze, or copper. Besides silver, there are other metals used in jewelry plating. Gold, white gold, and palladium are also used in plating. Normal, yellowish gold is often coated with its white gold alloy to give it a bright, white appearance.
Silver plating is a form of jewelry plating with silver as the metal used for coating. The thickness of the silver varies greatly, the most common layer being of 0.013mm, or 0.0005 inches on all surfaces. The items for plating are involved in a process called “electroplating” in which particles of the desired alloy are electrically broken and deposited on the surface of the base metal. To silver plate something, the item is sunk into a solution containing silver. The item is then run through with an electric current, and the electrochemical reaction that is the result deposits a thin even layer of silver on the base metal.
Pros Of Silver Plated Jewelry:
There are many reasons why silver plated jewelry is a popular option, some of them are:
Silver Plated Jewelry Items Are Affordable:
Silver plated jewelry items are cheap and inexpensive compared to silver filled or pure silver items. The prices start as low as $10 and go as high as you can afford. Since silver plated jewelry is that affordable, more and more people have begun to buy them especially considering the global economic condition.
It Looks Like Real Silver:
Let’s be real, unless you have a professional jeweler staring blatantly at your jewelry, no one will be able to tell the difference between real silver, and silver plated jewelry. It’ll add a look of having something expensive tying together your look, and no one will be any wiser.
It Makes For Great Decoration:
Silver ornaments are the most popular choice for decoration pieces, especially for everyday looks. So if you’re looking to add a bit of an exotic, classy and expensive look to your home, heavy silver plated necklace adorning a bust statue will be a perfect choice, not to mention the aesthetic of that choice.
Silver Plated Items Are Strong And Durable:
Silver plated items are stronger than pure silver items and are far more durable. Silver is a malleable and soft metal. Although it is unlike gold which has to be alloyed with other metals, plating a strong metal with silver only makes it even stronger. Thus, a silver plated item with a covering of silver will have a glimmering appearance, and strength and durability. It can easily handle everyday wear in a way that solid gold can’t.
Easy To Make:
Since silver plated items are far cheaper than pure silver items, you can participate in any sort of trend concerning jewelry items without having the nagging worry of wondering whether you’ve made the wrong investment in something that might just be a fad. This will open you up for a lot of possibilities, and any time you want to wear a trend in silver, you can just get it silver plated.
Taking Care Of Silver Plated Jewelry:
If your silver plated jewelry or items are beginning to show signs of tarnish and wear, fear not, for there are multiple easy ways in which you can take care of them. Such as:
Soap And Water:
Use mild soap and water to create a soapy solution in a container. Put the affected silver plated jewelry item inside, and allow your jewelry to soak in it for ten minutes. Using a soft cloth, gently rub the jewelry and massage it so that the solution covers the whole item. If the item has grooves and ridges, use a soft toothbrush to clean those areas. Once the areas are clean, rinse the item with warm water. Wipe the item thoroughly with a smooth cloth and store it away. This method is to be used for light cleaning.
Aluminum Foil And Baking Soda:
This method is to be used for heavy tarnishing on silver plated items. It creates a chemical process that lets the tarnish reverse itself. Use an aluminum pan or line a bowl with aluminum foil with the shiny side facing upwards. Add baking soda and salt in equal parts to the bowl, around one tablespoon each. Add warm water to the bowl to dissolve the powders. Leave your silver plated jewelry to soak in it. You shall notice black and yellow flakes peeling away from the jewelry, and when you think the tarnishing is gone, take the jewelry out and rub with a soft cloth. Rinse the jewelry with warm water, dry, and store away.
Silver plated jewelry is one of the trendiest forms of jewelry available in the market. It offers variety in design, price range, and in quality. Once you know how to take care of it, it’s quite low maintenance and a pleasure to have.
