By silverware we typically mean a plush dinner set in silver metal that is brought out on the dinner or supper table during special occasions like Christmas, engagement, wedding, or some other kind of ritualistic event.
Silverware
Seven pieces of cutlery make up a typical European silverware set – coffee spoon, dessert spoon, fruit knife, dessert fork or fruit fork, soup spoon, knife and fork. The North American silverware dining set is a bit different and comprises 5 pieces of cutlery - teaspoon, dessert fork or fruit fork, soup spoon, knife and fork.
You can opt for either expensive or inexpensive silverware sets. Those that are at the lowest rung of the broad spectrum are simple elegant pieces that can be found in any silverware store or in online shops.
And if you are eyeing ornately decorated and intricately carved hand crafted exquisite silver ware dining sets, you have to head towards the boutique stores or again browse through the catalogues of online stores. You need to have deep pockets and have to shell out huge amounts for laying your hands on the latter kinds of expensive silver tableware.
While purchasing silverware you need to feel the texture of the cutlery in your hands and also keep in mind the kind of table setting which you are planning. These last two points are indispensable in making a right purchase.
Silver Jewelry
Silver jewelry has been in vogue right from ancient times and dates back to some 6000 years in the hazy past. In fact silver had been the staple metal for creating beautiful jewelry before the advent of gold and has enjoyed boundless popularity from times immemorial to the contemporary age.
Ordinary pure silver is rather soft, ductile and malleable. It is prone to breakage and bending and therefore jewelry created with it is not very strong or durable.
Sterling Silver
So nowadays silver is mixed with other stuff to give rise to alloys which are strong, tougher than pure silver and more durable and yet pliable enough to be easily made into jewelry. 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper are combined to give birth to sterling silver – the alloy that is commonly used for jewelry purpose nowadays.
Sterling silver has a nice shine and polish and glow and does not tarnish with age nor is it rendered black with the passage of time, unlike normal pure silver.
Market Demand for Silver Jewelry
Silver jewelry is popular and has a loyal customer base because of its affordability. In fact it is the only of the precious metals that is reasonably priced even now and it is way cheaper than gold. Because it is a white metal, it is a preferred choice and a cheap alternative for super expensive platinum.
