Silver Jewelry Was Once More Precious Than Gold Jewelry
Jewelers are competing to make true masterpieces out of silver, a special metal that was once, in history, more precious than gold.
You can choose a ring design that represents you and illustrates a passion, something you love or a memory you want to carry with you forever.
Silver jewelry is among the most popular because of its ability to match different outfits for both women and men.
You can find sterling silver rings, one-of-a-kind, handcrafted jewelry, limited series executed in specific techniques with precious and semi-precious natural stones. Not to mention vintage and antique pieces, that are true works of art.
The Long History Of Silver Jewelry
Silver and silver jewelry have a long history. According to Pro TV, archaeologists have found that the first silver mines appeared before 3000 BC. In Egypt, when it was first discovered, it was much more valuable than gold.
The first information about refining silver appears in the Bible itself (Ezekiel 22: 17-22). The copper plating process was used.
Invented by the Chaldeans around 2500 BC, refining involves heating the metal until it melts in a porous cup over which the very powerful jet of air passes. In this way, metals such as lead, copper, and iron oxidized, leaving only silver in the globular state of molten metal.
The Different Uses Of Silver
Athens grew strong thanks to its silver mines. Between 600 and 300 BC, Greeks in the Athens area produced around 30 tonnes of silver a year. Archaeologists have also discovered that people from Central and South America mined silver in ancient times. In fact, this area is responsible for revolutionizing silver processing, after world production exploded between 1500 and 1800, with Bolivia, Peru, and Mexico accounting for 85% of it.
In the US, a major silver deposit was discovered in Nevada in the mid-1800s, and later world production reached 3,000 tonnes a year.
Apart from jewelry, silver is used in electrical engineering and electronics because it is a very good conductor of electricity.
Also, because it spontaneously releases negative ions and these have a germicidal action, silver has long been used in the manufacture of medical instruments and prostheses. For example, endodontic pins made of silver are used in dentistry, but it is only used in dentures in alloys with other noble metals.
What Does Silver Symbolize
In the traditions of various cultures across history, silver is associated with good luck. It is a symbol of purity, perseverance, and strength and is associated with the moon.
Among other people, silver is associated with feminine energy. For example, it is linked to the Greek goddess Artemis and the Roman goddess Diana.
There are also some superstitions related to silver. For example, silver is placed in the baby's hand at birth to bring good fortune. Also, in some traditions, it is said that if the baby picks up a silver coin placed in his hand he will be stingy, but if he lets go he will be a spendthrift.
There are superstitions related to silver. If a bride wants to have good luck after marriage she should put a silver coin in her shoe. Among Swedes, for example, the bride must put a silver coin given to her by her father and another given to her by her mother.
Silver was also considered a protector by sailors. When a ship was being built, a coin was placed under the mast so that when it reached the water it would sail smoothly, without too many storms and fatal incidents.
