Which silver alloy is standard?

Sterling silver 925 - 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper - is the international standard alloy of the modern jewellery market. Historically one also finds 800 (German Reich hallmark from 1888) and 950 (French premier titre) - the exact alloy can be read from the hallmark on the piece. 999 fine silver is used only for pieces not subject to mechanical load (pendants, capsules), as it is too soft for ring bands or spring clasps.

Why does silver tarnish and how is it protected?

Silver reacts with sulphur-bearing substances in the air (hydrogen sulphide) to form silver sulphide, which builds a dark grey to black patina. The reaction is accelerated by perspiration, lotions, perfume and some foods (eggs, mustard). Protection: airtight storage in anti-tarnish bags, regular wear (skin contact removes early tarnish layers), and occasional cleaning with a silver polishing cloth or dip bath. With pieces that have a black enamel inlay (see Black Enamel (Schwarzemail)) or niello inlay (see Niello (Black Inlay Technique)) caution is required - dip baths can dissolve the enamel.

Is silver suitable for ashes and fingerprint jewellery?

Yes, very much so. Silver can be engraved more precisely than stainless steel, costs less than gold and is more flexible to work. For ash pendants (see Ash Pendant) silver offers stable hollow settings with a laser-threaded closure; for fingerprint jewellery (see Fingerprint Pendant) silver permits fine micro-relief impressions. Drawback: regular care against tarnishing. Anyone who does not want that should switch to gold or stainless steel.

Silver in Mourning Jewellery

In the 19th century silver was the popular mourning carrier material of the bourgeois middle class and is today the most widespread material of modern memorial jewellery - cheaper than gold, more precise to engrave than stainless steel and with a long symbolic tradition as a material of purity and of memento mori iconography.

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