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Genuine Gemstone .925 Silver Jewelry
This lens offers a historical review of genuine gemstone .925 silver jewelry. You may find exquisite designs and high quality yet affordable natural gemstone sterling silver jewelry, rings, bracelets, earrings, pendants and necklaces in our store Classic Treasures. We offer a large variety of artistically designed baubles, including turquoise, agate, coral, fossil coral, ammonite fossil, ruby, emerald, citrine, green and purple amethyst, malachite, moonstone, peridot, jasper, ruby zoisite, and of course, jewelry made with genuine freshwater pearl. Indulge in the beauty of natural gemstones set in .925 sterling silver (not bonded or plated). Visit us often to see the new items!
We also offer high quality apparel and accessories. See you at Classic Treasures!
History Of Silver Jewelry
Silver has always been a valuable metal every since it was discoveredlong ago before 4000 BC. Its popularity has done nothing but grow steadily throughout the ages as it possesses a unique ability to be able to keep with the current fashions of the times. The uses of silver range widely from being used in film and computers to an invisible coating on thermal windows. Silver has been used in the currency of many countries and powers of the world. However, the basic most notable use of silver is its beauty and appeal as an item of jewelry. However, the history of silver carries it's own allure.
The first major silver mines were recorded around 4000 BC located in Anatolia (which is now Turkey). This was mostly the main source of silver for many of the growing cultures in that area of the world and others that would trade for silver. Around 3000 BC there are records of more intense efforts to mine silver as its value expanded worldwide. The Chinese are said to have improved on refining the silver around 2500 BC to make it even more alluring and sought after as well as easier to excavate. Throughout the passing years, mines in Greece became the main producers of silver for the rest of the world. This continued for many centuries till Spain came into power with it's own deposits of silver that brought them power in trading. Spain became a main supplier of silver for most of the main countries in the area and used it's silver to trade for valuable spices and other goods. Silver began to gain popularity throughout the world when North America and South America were discovered. Mexico and Peru were discovered to hold silver mines which dwarfed the silver deposits that had recently been mined to the east. Soon it was said that more than three quarters of silver in the world was mined from Peru and Mexico.
Picture: Evil Eye Malachite .925 Sterling Silver Earrings, Classic Treasures
Silver Jewelry Today
With new technology came new ways to mine silver along with new refinement processes to enhance it's value to an even new extent with its uses as well as beauty. Today, Mexico and Peru still produce the most silver in the world today. Australia comes in a distant third. It's said that 1/5 of all the silver in the world comes from Mexico alone. With all the mining of silver throughout the world came different styles and different ways to wear silver. Silver has always been known to enhance the beauty of precious stones such as diamonds when they're set into a ring or necklace. Many powerful men and women throughout the ages would wear magnificent silver jewelry items to show off their power.Silver jewelry comes in a different variety of styles and textures. The usual silver that is seen on jewelry is usually highly polished and reflects the light beautifully. However, silver also comes in a different variety of different finishes such as rhodium. It gives silver the characteristic of white gold with it's silver but slightly darker finish.One of the main drawbacks to silver jewelry is its tendency to tarnish. This is caused from the slightest impurities in the silver which react with the air. Silver polish and other remedies have been created through to the ages to keep silver looking its best.
The most popular silver today is sterling silver which is actually 92.5% silver. The other make up percentage is either copper, zinc, or nickel. This silver is popular because it's more durable than pure silver yet still maintains its beauty.
Today, silver jewelry is a big market that has many suppliers and consumers that constantly control the flux and shift of silver prices.
Picture: Carves Aqua Quartz Sterling Silver Ring, Classic Treasures
Silver Jewelry Finishing Touches
SILVER JEWELLERY - FINISHING TOUCHES
Creating silver jewellery is a labour of love, but well worth the time expended to create a work of art. The first step is to make a wax model using sheets and strips of wax which are carved in very fine detail to produce the design. In this case the finished items are old fashioned houses. Step two is to produce a casting in silver. This is known as the "lost wax procedure" where the wax model is placed into a flask, and "invested". Essentially this procedure involves pouring into the flask a solution similar to plaster of paris. This sets very quickly around the wax model. Step 3 involves heating the flask up to a very high temperature in a kiln. This has the effect of burning away the wax, and leaving an empty space where the wax once was. Step 4 is the final process where the casting takes place. Molten silver is poured into the flask to fill the space previosly occupied by the wax model. Step 5 is when it gets exciting to see what has been created in silver. The flask which is still very hot is plunged into a bucket of cold water. Thermal shock causes the "investment" to shatter, leaving the silver casting. This piece has to be filed smooth on the edges, and polished on the front and rear to produce what is eventually worn by someone with pride. The video shows the final smoothing, and polishing taking place
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curated content from YouTube
Sterling Silver Design Imperial Rose Collections
video made by LEGEND40MASTER73
Books About Jewelry on Amazon
Colonial Massachusetts Silversmiths and Jewelers: A Biographical Dictionary Based on the Notes of Francis Hill Bigelow and John Marshall Phillips
Amazon Price: $150.00 (as of 01/05/2010) 
The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks
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Metal Clay Magic: Making Silver Jewelry the Easy Way
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 01/05/2010)
Southwestern Silver Jewelry
Amazon Price: $36.68 (as of 01/05/2010)
European Designer Jewelry/a Schiffer Book for Collectors
Amazon Price: $53.96 (as of 01/05/2010)
Books About the History of Silver Jewelry
Art Nouveau Jewelry
Amazon Price: $21.86 (as of 01/05/2010)
Silver Jewelry Designs: Evaluating Quality Good * Better * Best
Amazon Price: $43.81 (as of 01/05/2010)
The Art of Silver Jewellery: From the Minorities of China, The Golden Triangle, Mongolia and Tibet
Amazon Price: $43.87 (as of 01/05/2010)
Sweetheart Jewelry and Collectibles (Schiffer Book for Collectors With Value Guide)
Amazon Price: $22.76 (as of 01/05/2010)
The Master Jewelers
Amazon Price: $25.51 (as of 01/05/2010)
More Books About Silver Jewelry
Faberge Eggs
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Introduction to Precious Metal Clay
Amazon Price: $17.96 (as of 01/05/2010)
Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 01/05/2010)
Faberge: Imperial Craftsman and His World
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Answers to Questions About Old Jewelry, 1840-1950
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More Books About Silver Jewelry II
One Hundred Years of Collectible Jewelry: 1850-1950
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The Power of Jewelry
Amazon Price: $75.00 (as of 01/05/2010)
Greek Gems and Finger Rings: Early Bronze to Late Classical
Amazon Price: $95.00 (as of 01/05/2010)
Art Nouveau and Art Deco Jewelry: An Identification and Value Guide
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Silver Jewelry Treasures
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More Books About Silver Jewelry III
Italian gold, silver and jewelry: Their history and centres
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Jewelry of the Stars: Creations from Joseff of Hollywood
Amazon Price: $33.11 (as of 01/05/2010)
Viking-Age Gold & Silver of Scotland (Ad 850-1100)
Amazon Price: $75.00 (as of 01/05/2010)
Jewelry in America: 1600-1900
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More Books About Silver Jewelry IV
Jewellery in Britain 1066-1837: A Documentary, Social, Literary and Artistic Survey
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Art Deco Jewellery, 1920-1949
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One history, three cultures: A celebration in silver
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Find More Books About Silver Jewelry
Theodor Fahrner Jewelry...Between Avant-Garde and Tradition: Art Nouveau Art Deco the 1950s
Amazon Price: $47.21 (as of 01/05/2010)
Antique Jewellery (Shire Library)
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Generations of Jewelry
Amazon Price: $36.50 (as of 01/05/2010)
Golden Years of Faberge: Drawings and Objects from the Wigstrom Workshop
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Prestigious Jewelry
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Caring for your jewelry
Jewelry Handbook: How to Select, Wear & Care for Jewelry
Amazon Price: $15.56 (as of 01/05/2010)
Beyond the Glitter: Everything You Need to Know to Buy, Sell, Care For, and Wear Gems and Jewelry Wisely
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Charming: The Magic of Charm Jewelry
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Gem Care (Fred Ward Gem Book)
Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 01/05/2010)
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