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Learn about Silver:
Sterling silver is the standard for beautiful high-quality silver jewelry. It's over 90% pure silver, mixed with alloys to add strength and durability. And it won't wear down, as silver plating can. All of our jewelry here at Down Silver Lane.com is guaranteed STERLING SILVER and is stamped .925
Pure silver, also called fine silver, is relatively soft, very malleable, and easily dmaaged so it is commonly combined with other metals to produce a more durable product. Sterling silver is a silver alloy with a fixed standard of purity (being 925 parts silver out of 1,000 and 75 parts copper). Its meaning then is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.
Acceptable quality marks for Sterling Silver Jewelry include: sterling, sterling silver, .925 therefore you know it has the above 92.5%silver and 7.5% copper for the finest silver jewelry.
Copper has been shown to be its best companion, improving the metal's hardness and durability without affecting its beautiful color.
The small amount of copper added to sterling has very little effect on the metal's value. Instead, the price of the silver item is affected by the labor involved in making the item, the skill of the craftsperson, and the intricacy of the design.
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Silver has a long and noble history, second only to that of gold. Popular as a jewelry metal for thousands of years, it is harder than gold and much more plentiful. The abundant supply and ease of working it make silver more affordable and a good alternative to gold and platinum (although it does tarnish and need polishing from time to time).
Silver was one of the first metals to be used and can be traced back to the ancient Egyptian, Phoenician, and Byzantine empires. The work of silver was also popular in colonial America where it developed along other craft traditions. Silver is now the metal that is mostly used throughout the world.
With proper care, your quality silver will last a lifetime. To minimize scratches and other damage, store you silver jewelry either in a cloth pouch or in a separate compartment in you jewelry box. Avoid exposing you silver to household chemicals when cleaning with bleach or ammonia, or when swimming in chlorinated water, as these chemicals can damage silver.
Care should also be taken to prevent silver tarnish build-up, a dulling that naturally occurs when silver reacts with sulfur or hydrogen sulfide in the ambient air. To clean your silver, use polishes or polishing cloths formulated specifically to remove tarnish.
Jewelry Clasps:
Clasps are various fasteners which close chains and some
bracelets. Styles include a Lobster Claw so named as it
resembles the claw of a lobster. Spring Ring, which is a
classic type of closure used on most smaller chains. Toggle
Clasp is a two piece lock system whereby a small loop on one
end of a chain or bracelet accomodates a small bar which
slips through the loop and remains locked. Box Clasp most
often seen on fancy and eleborate silver bracelets like the
Marcarsite bracelets.
Women's Chain Length Guide:(approximate)
13" just above the collar bone
15" laying on collar bone
16" below the collar bone
18" 2" below 16"
20" middle between shoulder and strapless dress
24" almost to the top of a strapless dress
30" almost to the bottom of bust line
Birthstones in Silver Jewelry: A Window on the Past
Introduction:
The twelve different months of the year each bear a corresponding affiliate gemstone known as a birthstone. These birthstones are said to possess mystical qualities and bring good fortune to the bearer. While the origin of the concept of the birthstone is somewhat sketchy, there seems to be some consensus that Aaron, brother of Moses, crafted a breast plate of the high priest some twenty centuries ago, depicting the twelve tribes of Israel as cited in the book of Exodus. An artist's rendering of such a breast plate can be seen pictured below. The association with the number twelve assumed great significance as, the twelve sons of Jacob were the ancestors of the Twelve tribes of Israel, Jesus had twelve apostles, there were twelve foundation stones of the Holy City, twelve months of the year, and twelve signs of the zodiac.
Birthstones:
Jan-Garnet
Feb-Amethyst
March-Aquamarine
April-Diamond
May-Emerald
June-Pearl
July-Ruby
August-Peridot
Sept-Sapphire
Oct-Opal
Nov-Citrine
Dec-Blue Topaz
Minerals in Silver Jewelry: Jewelry styles have traditionally waxed and waned in and out of fashion. A consistant aspect to many types of gold and silver jewelry are the association of minerals which are incorporated into the design work of the jewelry items. The vast array of colors and tones available through the different mineral species affords a wide spectrum of choices from which a jewelry designer may pick the best and most advantageous color scheme desired.
What Makes Gemstones So Special in Silver Jewelry?
Many types of minerals lend themselves best to a specific type of cutting style such as a cabochon, a rough crystal point, or the more sophisticated and elegant faceted gemstone. The earthy and holistic aspects of minerals engender a sense of unity between the bearer of such jewelry items in conjunction with nature. Sterling silver jewelry, with its neutral and whitish metallic color, is the perfect backdrop onto which these vibrant colors and textures can be displayed and worn.
Table of Minerals in Silver Jewelry:
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Abalone |
Abalone is mineral generated by the marine mollusks and used for many silver jewelry items. |
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Agate |
Banded colors of quartz take center stage with silver jewelry of the agate collection. |
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Alexandrite |
Alexandrite, the birthsone for June, is named after the Czar Alexander of Russia in the former Soviet Union. |
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Amazonite |
Amazonite is gemstone variety of microcline feldspar and varies in color from yellowish green to blue green. |
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Amber |
Made naturally from the resin or pine sap of ancient plants, amber is one of the few minerals with an organic origin. |
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Amethyst |
Brazil, Mexico, Canda, and Europe are all major players in the amethyst market. |
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Aquamarine |
Aquamarine and emeralds are classed in same group of minerals known as beryls. |
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Aventurine |
Mica, hematite, and several other minerals are often found within the green quartz variety of the aventurine gemstone. |
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Black Onyx |
Black onyx is abundant in many parts of the world including India, Brazil, and Madagascar. |
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Cat's Eye |
Gemstones which display the cat's eye phenomenon are said to exhibit the optical property of chatoyancy. |
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Diamond |
Utilized almost exclusively as the gemstone representing love, eternity, and happiness, the diamond is the hardest gem material on earth. |
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Emerald |
Most of the better quality emeralds which hail from Brazil are often highly included. |
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Feldspar |
The feldspars are really a family of minerals and not merely a single gemstone. |
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Fluorite |
The term fluorescence gets its name from the mineral fluorite as this mineral often exhibits this characteristic glow. |
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Garnet |
Granatium, the latin word for pomegranate is the sorce for the word garnet |
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Gaspeite |
Relatively new to the jewelry industry, the mineral gaspeite is unique with its opaque, Granny Smith apple green color. |
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Hematite |
Frequently fashioned as a cabochon or beads, the mineral hematite is highly versatile. |
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Iolite |
With its light bluish to violet color, the mineral iolite is often referred to as "water sapphire". |
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Jade |
Becasue of its tenacity, strength, and toughness jade was first utilized in the making of prehistoric weapons. |
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Jasper |
Jasper is generally used for ornamentation such as ashtrays, jewelry boxes, and candlesticks and secondarily in silver jewelry. |
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Jet |
What is jet? How is jet formed? What are the properties of jet? |
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Kunzite |
The light pink variety of the mineral spodumene is a primary source of lithium and is known in the the jewelry world as kunzite. |
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Lapis Lazuli |
Lapis lazuli is the product of limestone and contact metamorphism. |
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Malachite |
Turquoise and malachite are traditional gemstones used in southwestern silver jewelry. |
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Marcasite |
Within fossil beds, marcasite may frequently be found as a replacement mineral. |
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Milk Quartz |
Quartz occurs naturally in many colors including a white variation known as milky quartz or milk quartz. |
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Opal |
The extensive deserts on the continet of Australia are responsible for 95% of the world's opal gem material available today. |
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Pearl |
One of the few gems materials with an organic origin, pearls are a product of marine and fresh water mollusks. |
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Peridot |
The characteristic green color of peridot owes its existance to the ratio of iron to magnesium within the mineral. |
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Pink Mussel |
Shallow and gravel-rich freshwater less than two feet deep are the preferred habitat requirements of of the pink mussel. |
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Quartz |
Quartz is available in dozens of colors and is the earth's most abundant mineral. |
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Rose Quartz |
Of all the colors available naturally in quartz, the light pink hues of the rose quartz are the most feminine. |
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Ruby |
The distinctive red color of ruby enhance both silver and gold jewelry with elegance. |
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Tiger Eye |
Often a favorite of men's jewelry, tiger eye affords a characteristic brown and gold banded shimmering effect. |
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Tourmaline |
The colors of tourmaline are highly varied and may even present themselves as bicolor as in the pink and green variety known as "watermelon tourmaline". |
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Turquoise |
Inspiring and exhilarating, turquoise is the quintessential southwest silver jewelry gemstone. |
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Sapphire |
One of the world top three best-selling gemstones, the world's best sapphires are found in Sri Lanka, India, Burma, Thailand, and Brazil. |
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Sodalite |
Dark blue in color, sodalite is frequently mistaken for lapis, however the presence of white veins are only present in the sodalite mineral. |
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Spinel |
Spinel's red color so closely resembles that of fine ruby, making spinel a less expensive substitute for many jewelers. |
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Sugilite |
The mid range purple is typical color for the mineral named sugilite, named for the Japanese geologist Ken-ichi Sugi, who discovered it. |
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Tanzanite |
Along with amethyst, tanzanite is one of the most popular of the purple colored gemstones. |
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Topaz |
Topaz is frequently found in 10 colors in nature, with the pink to reddish orange known as imperial topaz known to be the scarcest and most valuable. |
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Zircon |
The mineral zircon has been known to man for over 3000 yers and has been called such names as jargon, hyacinth and jacinth.
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Jewelry Trends:
Pearl- Mabe earrings, Fresh Water Pearl (mostly twists), blister pearls used in pendants and brooches, longer strands (32-80") most often baroque, pearls to offer more affordability,pearl bracelets with 2-5 strands with or without gold bars
Gemstone- Cabochons-Now So Popular that facet-quality material is being cut cabochon.
Cabs in unusual shapes such as tongue, sugarloaf or bullet, double cabs and various outline shapes. Pink gold jewelry with gemstones. 60's colors, especially peridot, as a result of stong yellow-green in the fashion color palette in recent years. More wide spread use of materials such as agates and chalcedony due to growing consumer acceptance and need for lower price points. Color combinations as a design element.
Silver- Neo-Victorian jewelry, delicate designs, oxidized silver, cameos and intaglios. Western, Native American themes. Scatter pins, cufflinks. Textured, matte silver with 14K-24K gold accents. Silver jewelry and pearls. Belt buckles, jewelry designers are entering the silver belt buckle market very sucessfully.
Diamonds- Stars and astral themes, animal and nature themes. Soft, fluid shapes and small stones. More white gold mixed with yellow gold. Flush setting-once a designer only fashion, now its everywhere. Different textures and finishes.
Gold- Nature inspired designs in 14-18K. Earrings dangling ith balls, beads, strands and fringes. Color and textures, espically with enamel and colored gems. Multi strand links and combination bangle link bracelets.
Platinum -Platinum and 18K gold combos. Polished matte and etched finishes. Increase in affordable platinum mesh jewelry.
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Convert mm to inches
How can I tell how wide or long my jewelry is?
Are you confused when viewing MM (Millimeter) dimensions throughout the features and descriptions of jewelry items in our store? Use the chart below to get an idea what those sizes are in inches.
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MM
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INCHES
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1.6 |
1/16 |
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3.2 |
1/8 |
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4.8 |
3/16 |
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6.3 |
1/4 |
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7.9 |
5/16 |
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9.5 |
3/8 |
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11.1 |
7/16 |
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12.7 |
1/2 |
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14.3 |
9/16 |
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15.9 |
5/8 |
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17.5 |
11/16 |
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19.0 |
3/4 |
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20.6 |
13/16 |
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22.2 |
7/8 |
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23.8 |
15/16 |
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25.4 |
1 |
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mm |
inches |
inches |
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mm |
inches |
inches
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1 |
0.04 |
0.63/16 |
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26 |
1.02 |
1 0.38/16 |
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2 |
0.08 |
1.26/16 |
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27 |
1.06 |
1 1.01/16 |
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3 |
0.12 |
1.89/16 |
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28 |
1.10 |
1 1.64/16 |
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4 |
0.16 |
2.52/16 |
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29 |
1.14 |
1 2.27/16 |
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5 |
0.20 |
3.15/16 |
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30 |
1.18 |
1 2.90/16 |
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6 |
0.24 |
3.78/16 |
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31 |
1.22 |
1 3.53/16 |
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7 |
0.28 |
4.41/16 |
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32 |
1.26 |
1 4.16/16 |
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8 |
0.31 |
5.04/16 |
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33 |
1.30 |
1 4.79/16 |
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9 |
0.35 |
5.67/16 |
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34 |
1.34 |
1 5.42/16 |
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10 |
0.39 |
6.30/16 |
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35 |
1.38 |
1 6.05/16 |
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11 |
0.43 |
6.93/16 |
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36 |
1.42 |
1 6.68/16 |
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12 |
0.47 |
7.56/16 |
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37 |
1.46 |
1 7.31/16 |
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13 |
0.51 |
8.19/16 |
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38 |
1.50 |
1 7.94/16 |
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14 |
0.55 |
8.82/16 |
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39 |
1.54 |
1 8.57/16 |
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15 |
0.59 |
9.45/16 |
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40 |
1.57 |
1 9.20/16 |
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16 |
0.63 |
10.08/16 |
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41 |
1.61 |
1 9.83/16 |
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17 |
0.67 |
10.71/16 |
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42 |
1.65 |
1 10.46/16 |
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18 |
0.71 |
11.34/16 |
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43 |
1.69 |
1 11.09/16 |
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19 |
0.75 |
11.97/16 |
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44 |
1.73 |
1 11.72/16 |
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20 |
0.79 |
12.60/16 |
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45 |
1.77 |
1 12.35/16 |
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21 |
0.83 |
13.23/16 |
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46 |
1.81 |
1 12.98/16 |
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22 |
0.87 |
13.86/16 |
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47 |
1.85 |
1 13.61/16 |
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23 |
0.91 |
14.49/16 |
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48 |
1.89 |
1 14.24/16 |
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24 |
0.94 |
15.12/16 |
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49 |
1.93 |
1 14.87/16 |
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25 |
0.98 |
15.75/16 |
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50 |
1.97 |
1 15.50/16 |
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