11 Great Reasons to Choose Argentium Silver Jewellery

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Why is Argentium Silver A Better Choice Than Sterling Silver?

In this blog post, I'll enlighten you about the history, the unique properties and why Argentium silver jewellery should be your first, go to choice.

If you're interested in learning more about Argentium Silver, a new generation high performance silver alloy that has many advantages over traditional Sterling silver, I'll give you 11 reasons so read on!

Firstly the short history of Argentium

Argentium Silver was invented in the 1990s by Peter Johns, a master silversmith and metallurgist along with him team of researchers at Middlesex University in London.

He was researching the effects of germanium, a rare metalloid element, on silver alloys, and discovered that it could eliminate firestain. This usually problematic dark oxide layer forms on the surface of sterling silver when heated and harsh chemicals are required to prevent or remove it.

He also discovered that germanium could enhance other properties of silver, such as tarnish resistance, hardness, ductility, and fusibility.

He patented his invention in 1998 and later founded Argentium International Limited to market and distribute his product worldwide.

handmade Argentium Silver statement rings

A Few Technical Details

Argentium silver and sterling silver are both alloys of silver, but they have different compositions and properties.

Argentium Silver is purer than Sterling Silver. It's composed of either 93.5% or 96% pure silver, with the rest being mostly copper and a small amount of germanium. Compare that with Sterling Silver which only contains 92.5% pure silver.
It exceeds the standard required for hallmarking as sterling silver (92.5% silver), and the 96% version meets the standard for Britannia silver (95.84% silver).

11 Reasons Why Argentium Silver is Superior to Sterling Silver

Argentium Silver has a brighter, whiter colour that is comparable to platinum, white gold, and palladium.
Laborious polishing becomes a thing of the past with Argentium silver. It does not require plating or polishing to maintain its shine, as it is highly resistant to tarnishing and corrosion. That means less polishing and upkeep for you.
It has a higher melting point and lower casting temperature than sterling silver, which makes it easier to work with using various techniques such as soldering, fusing, forging, annealing, and granulation.
Argentium Silver can also be heat-hardened at low temperatures to increase its strength and durability. Rings will be less likely to warp out of shape from wear and stud pins less likely to bend or break.
Argentium has a small amount of germanium, which is a metalloid that helps prevent tarnishing and firescale. Better for the creator's health.
Argentium silver is safer to work with than sterling silver because it has a lower melting point, which reduces the risk of overheating and damaging the metal.
It also does not require flux or pickle, which are chemicals that can be harmful to the skin and eyes.
Argentium silver is also harder and more durable than sterling silver, which makes it more resistant to scratches and dents. Which means a brighter polish can also be obtained.
Better for the wearer, Argentium silver is hypoallergenic, which means it doesn't cause allergic reactions or skin irritation – a great gift choice for those with sensitive skin.
The germanium used to harden Argentium silver is non-reactive and has antibacterial and anti-corrosive properties, along with a raft of claimed health benefits.
Sustainably manufactured, Argentium silver has a lower impact on the environment. It is not mined, but made using recycled silver, therefore the origin of every gram can be accounted for.

FACT: Making jewelry from recycled silver only uses about 5% of the energy and resources required to create pieces from newly mined silver.

Is Argentium Silver Safe For Sensitive Skin?

Earrings and rings that are in close contact with skin for prolonged periods are best made from Argentium which is why Bird of Prey Jewellery use this fabulous silver wherever possible.

If you suffer from irritated ears after wearing Sterling silver - invest in the best and switch to Argentium.

Tap the image for the full details on these handmade Argentium Silver Studs.

How Can You Tell Argentium Silver Jewellery apart From Sterling?

To the untrained eye this can be difficult!

Argentium jewellery may be stamped somewhere - look for a purity mark - 935 or 940. (In other words, that's 935 parts of silver in 1000 parts).

On the other hand, Sterling Silver is marked with the 925 purity stamp.

You may also find a winged unicorn logo as a guarantee of the finest quality of Argentium Silver.

I hope this blog has given you some useful information about Argentium silver jewellery and an insight into why it's such a great material to purchase, wear and maintain.

Tap here for more information around caring for your jewellery.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading and shine on!