The Ultimate Guide to Silver Cufflinks

Silver is regarded as one of the best metals for jewelry. It is a precious metal that has been valued for its beauty and versatility since 3000 BC. It has several features that go well with jewelry designs like its brilliant shine and stunning color. All these facts are useful but, if you had to buy silver jewelry for a partner or friend, what would you look for?

In the world of jewelry, there are three common types of silver:

- - Sterling Silver
  - Silver Plate
  - Pure Silver

Cufflinks Depot has made this silver cufflinks buying guide so that when you are buying for someone, you can do so with confidence.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is an alloy which means it is a metal that has mixed other metals with it to form a stronger material that is still soft enough to work with. It is 92.5% silver and 7.5% of another metal, most commonly copper or nickel. When combined with the other metals, its strength increases but it loses none of the brilliance and shine that is its trademark. As an alloy, this silver is durable and low maintenance making it a popular option for people looking to buy a prized heirloom that will last for generations. Even if scratching occurs, all one has to do is polish the silver with a soft silver-cleaning cloth. If the jewelry sustains further damage, rest assured, a jeweler can easily fix the damage for a reasonable price.
Sterling silver sets the standard for quality in silver jewelry because of its composition and incredible shine. As such, it is often more expensive than cheaper silver alternatives. This is why many people buy sterling silver jewelry as an family heirloom.

Sterling Silver Stud Set

Deer Cufflinks

Silver Plated

Silver plated jewelry has a thin layer of silver coating the base metal. While this type of silver jewelry has less silver than other forms of silver, it is still a popular choice because it gives the shine and color of silver for a faction of the price.

Even with its benefits, silver plated jewelry does have a few drawbacks, though.

- - It is less valuable over time
  - It is prone to discoloration
  - It is has greater wear and tear

However, one of the most popular reasons for buying silver plated jewelry over other options is style. When you want a piece of jewelry that is on-trend or creative, silver plated options are a cost effective way to get this.

Fine silver

The last option is pure or fine silver which is approximately 99.9% silver. Compared to plated or sterling silver, this type of silver proportionally has the highest quantity of silver and consequently is too soft to be made into durable jewelry. Even with the drawbacks, smaller pieces like pendants and delicate necklaces are perfect for this silver because they are less likely to lose their shape or scuff.