I've always loved the look of silver jewelry. It's classic, affordable, and goes with almost everything. But I've often wondered – is sterling silver really tough enough to wear every single day? I'm sharing my experiences, along with some tips I've picked up, to help you decide if it's the right choice for you.
A few years ago, I decided to commit to wearing sterling silver rings daily. I loved the designs and the price point was definitely right. I found some really cute pieces, and I was excited to make them a part of my everyday style. However, after about five years of constant wear, I started to notice some issues. The stones in some of my rings started to loosen and eventually fell out. While five years isn't terrible for a fashion ring, it definitely made me think twice about wearing sterling silver for anything truly sentimental, like an engagement ring.
After my ring incident, I started researching more about sterling silver and its durability. I discovered that there's a lot of debate about whether plated or unplated silver is better for daily wear. Some people swear by white gold plating, while others prefer no plating at all. I learned that yellow gold plating tends to wear off quickly, leaving the silver exposed.
I also stumbled upon some interesting information about vintage and antique silver. Apparently, silver itself can last for decades! I saw some incredible vintage pieces that were almost 100 years old and still in great shape. This made me realize that the quality of the silver and how it's cared for plays a huge role in its longevity.
I also realized that a lot of the scratching I saw on my rings might not have been the silver itself, but the plating. This was a real eye-opener for me! I had always assumed that the silver was the problem, but it turned out the plating was the weak link.
Based on what I learned, I decided to switch to plain sterling silver rings without any plating. I figured if I was going to wear silver daily, I wanted something that would last. I also started paying more attention to how I cared for my jewelry. I began using a sunshine polishing cloth to remove tarnish, and I made sure to take my rings off when doing things like washing dishes or gardening.
And you know what? It made a huge difference! My plain sterling silver rings have held up much better than my plated ones. They do scratch a bit, but so does gold, and I actually like the slightly worn look. It gives them character.
I was also looking for a new charm bracelet and found a beautiful option on BlingCharming. The Original European Handmake Jewelry Charm Bracelets&Bangles caught my eye because it's available in both gold and silver colors. I love the idea of adding unique charms to personalize it. The fact that it's designed to fit popular big hole bead brands is a huge plus too.
I haven't purchased it yet, but it's definitely on my wishlist. I'm considering getting the silver one to match my rings. I'm also looking at some of the other offerings on read 5-star reviews to see if they have charms that would fit my style.
Here are some tips I've learned for keeping your sterling silver jewelry in good condition: