When many people think about sterling silver jewelry, they think of cheap, low quality jewelry. While it is true that some silver jewelry is quite cheaply made, other times it is of extremely high quality, yet more affordable than gold or platinum jewelry.

Sterling silver is still primarily silver. However, it is commonly alloyed with copper to make it strong enough for everyday wear. Other metals may be used instead, depending on the desired results and appearance.

Silver is extremely popular in jewelry because it is easy to shape into just about any design. In appearance it is quite similar to white gold or platinum, although people familiar with these metals can notice a difference in most cases. Sterling silver often has a warmer appearance.

Sterling silver jewelry costs significantly less than similar jewelry in gold or platinum. It is also more likely to have CZ rather than diamonds used for large stones. However, you can find sterling silver jewelry made with many lovely genuine gemstones.

This makes sterling silver a great gift when you're on a tight budget yet want to give fine jewelry. You can find truly lovely jewelry that is sure to fit with any person's style. Designs can be whimsical, traditional, professional and so forth.

Silver can require a little bit of special care, but it's not terribly difficult. Many times all you need to care for your silver jewelry is a silver dip cleaner. A few swishes around and the silver is clean. However, make sure that the cleaner is safe for any stones set into the jewelry. Pearls and opals can be particularly sensitive to cleansers.

But if that's a problem, a polishing cloth can work wonders. You do not want to use the same polishing cloth on silver as on gold, as silver tarnish is very hard to get off of gold, but the same type of cloth can work on both. Rubbing the jewelry down with the cloth is fairly easy, although highly detailed pieces can be challenging.

Perhaps best of all is the fun you can have with sterling silver jewelry. The relatively affordable price tag means that you can afford to show your most creative side with it. Even though the jewelry will last for years (a lifetime if you take care of it), people do not tend to view silver jewelry as the investment that gold jewelry is, and so find it easier to wear more unusual pieces. It's a great chance to show off a sense of fun.

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About the Author

Stephanie Foster runs http://www.jewelstoremember.com/ as a resource to find beautiful fine jewelry. If you want sterling silver jewelry, visit her site.