What is Sterling Silver? 
Silver is a white, lustrous metal, that is able to take a high polish. Silver is one of the most malleable and ductile of all metals and is generally superior to most other metals with respect to its ability to conduct heat and electricity.

Silver is about 66th in natural abundance. It occurs in the pure state to a small extent. The richest deposits of native silver are in Peru and Norway. Pure silver may also be found alloyed with pure gold (electrum) and large amounts of silver are obtained in the production of gold. Silver is usually found combined with other elements (especially sulphur) in minerals and ores. Silver also occurs in lead, copper, and zinc ores; in fact about half of the world's production of silver is obtained from these ores. Nearly all of the silver produced in Europe is obtained from the ore galena (lead sulphide). In the U.S. the silver is usually mined along with lead, copper, and zinc. Most of the mined silver is from Australia, Canada, Mexico, Peru and the U.S.

To make sterling silver jewellery the silver is alloyed with small amounts of other metals to make it harder and more durable. For example, sterling silver, used in jewellery is 92.5 % pure silver and 7.5 % alloy, the alloy usually being copper.Sterling silver should always be described as 925, .925, 92.5% or Sterling Silver to separate it from imitations silver such as German silver or nickle silver. All MySilver products have clear descriptions showing their 92.5 % sterling silver status.

When did it emerge? 
For thousands of years silver has been used in coins and for ornamental purposes. Silver mines were probably worked before 2500 BC, mainly in Asia Minor. The alchemists called the metal Luna or Diana (the moon goddess), which is why silver is sometimes represented by the symbol of a crescent moon.

Arguably, on a historical basis, silver is first mentioned in the Bible in the time of Abram, were in the book of Genesis, Chapter XIII, 2, "Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver and gold."

'Pounds Sterling,' the modern name of the British currency system, can be traced back to the reign of Henry II in the 12th century. The derivation of the Sterling word is likely to derive from the use of 'Easterling Silver,' which took its name from the Easterling area of Germany. This region was noted for its 92.5% pure, hard and high quality coin-grade silver. It was also noted for its expertise in silver refining, and it was these techniques as well as the silver itself that Henry II imported when he arranged for the production of 'Tealbay Pennies', which formed the basis of the silver coinage quality standard established at the time. Another supporting theory is that the hallmark for what became known as Sterling Silver featured a starling bird, which many believe became distorted through misinterpretation into 'sterling'.

A myriad of uses 
The ancient Byzantine, Phoenician and Egyptians created beautiful silver jewellery. The ancient Egyptians wore silver jewellery to protect against bad luck and evil, or with religious worship and symbolism. According to ancient mystic lore, silver can ward off werewolves and other demons, even some claim it can enhance psychic powers. Consequently sterling silver jewellery has been used to symbolise a person's religion or their interests, such as their favourite hobbies, pets, family and feelings. It can also be used for special events, such as birth, baptism, wedding, anniversaries and passing exams or graduating university. Silver jewellery may also be used as a present to show your appreciation or love. Or quite simply, it can be used to project an image or feeling, or compliment a design in a item of clothing.

Silver Jewellery pieces are very wearable as they are versatile and can be casual or dressy and most styles may usually be worn with anything. No wonder sterling silver jewellery is many people's number one choice when it comes to young, trendy, and affordable fashion jewellery.

Taking care of your silver jewellery
Sterling silver, whether it is in tableware, jewellery or coins does tarnish due to its chemical composition. Tarnishing, in which the silver looses it's shine, is caused by a chemical reaction between the silver, oxygen and sulphur. Silver jewellery can tarnish over time and wear but the biggest and most immediate impact is generally caused by misuse and neglect. For this reason, good care and maintenance is essential to maintain your silver jewellery in good condition for many years. We hope that the following advice will help you maintain your items over the years.

When the jewellery is not being worn, keep in a cool and dry place and if store separately to avoid scratching with other items. Just as important, store in an airtight container with soft materials. This is because the less air exposure the better as it will slow down the oxidisation process which then tarnishes the silver. It is advisable to remove your silver jewellery when washing, playing sport, especially swimming, or carrying out physical work. It is also worth removing most jewellery when you are asleep. This is because it can catch on clothing or bed linen.

Normal techniques to clean sterling silver jewellery include gently washing your jewellery in warm water and mild soap, then using a soft silver cloth to clean the jewellery. If you wish to clean a delicate and intricate item, or a stone (for example, cubic zirconia or amber) then it is worth using a soft brush. You can also use a soft cloth at other times too to keep the item polished and free of dirt. You should refrain from abrasive polishes, silver dips or scrubbing tools, such as steel wool, because it will potentially damage the protective coated finish and gemstones. Ignoring such advice will increase the risk of your silver jewellery becoming damaged and tarnished. It is also advisable to try to avoid contact with chemicals, such as perfume, hair spray, deodorant, household cleaning fluids and etc.