Silver is a precious metal, white and very reflective. The fact that it is 925, means that it is 92.5% pure. That means, it is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper.

Copper is required for the silver’s durability and resistance. If it would be 100% pure silver, it would be too soft to be worked on. Silver has a marvelous neutral color.

It is important to acknowledge this, for silver and copper have different properties and they react and pollute by different elements.

SILVER PROPERTIES

Silver is a very ductile and tractable. Silver has a white metallic shine, susceptible to polishing. It preserves in water and air. Although the surface tarnishes in the presence of ozone, hydrogen sulfide or sulfur air. Silver dissolves in concentrated nitric or sulphuric acid.

COPPER PROPERTIES

The red salmon color turns red-violet when it is air exposed, due to the compound of cuprous oxide, and it eventually turns black because of the compound of copper oxide. When exposed to wet air for a long time, it compounds an adherent, water-resistant coat of green and toxic basic carbonate (cupric carbonate).

Halogens easily damage copper, especially in the presence of moisture.

Oxoacids damage copper, that is why they are used as paint strippers (sulphuric acid) and polishers (nitric acid).

Citric acid dissolves copper oxide, which is why it is applied to clean copper surface, polishing metal and compounding copper citrate.

CARE

When analyzing both metal properties, we realize that silver as much as copper, react to very common elements in the environment, causing stains in the surface. In order to prevent this, it is necessary that you:

  • Do not pile up silver jewelry inside a drawer, keep jewelry separately, do not mix them to prevent scratches.
  • Store your silver in a cool environment, a dry place, preferably airtight, in order to keep it from rusting.
  • Clean up the jewelry frequently to keep them bright and beauty.
  • Do not expose the jewelry to corrosive agents, such as: chlorine, grease, sweat, perfume, make up, alkaline agents, or salinity for an extended period of time.
  • Do not constantly use liquids that contain acid, since they wear out your jewelry.

CLEANING

You may clean your jewelry in two ways:

  1. With a cloth to clean silver products: Rub gently your article surface with the cleaning cloth to instantly get a brilliant shine. It is important not to wash the cloth and the garment must be completely dry before use.
  2. With a silver jewelry cleaning solution: Place the items on a tray. Soak them from 10 to 15 seconds. At last, rinse in water with baking soda and dry (preferably with a dryer).