The History of Sterling Silver Jewelry

Silver jewelry has been around for a long time and has been enjoyed by generation after generation since as far back as 5000 B.C. According to historical investigations and reports Egyptians used silver for jewelry, ceremonial ornamentation, and for bartering and tombs have been discovered containing silver that dated back as far as 2900 B.C.

Although there are many modern technological ways to work silver today this wasn’t the case back when silver first began to be used to make jewelry. At the time the process for working jewelry involved either the use of a hammer to get the desired design and look or casting and pouring silver into the desired shape for a piece of jewelry. A third way that silver was worked into silver jewelry in ancient time was through filigree techniques. This is the process of taking thin silver and twisting it and wrapping it into intricate designs that can be held together by soldering.

All of these ways that were once used to work silver provide for a fairly rough, simple jewelry but it just goes to shoe how long individuals have been enjoying the beauty of silver and wearing it to make a fashion statement or as a sign of wealth. The beauty of the low cost precious metal has not been lost on a generation yet to date. You can find gorgeous pieces from all different points in history and from all different regions of the world.

Many Indian tribes used silver to make jewelry. Often you will see these pieces around still today; many of these pieces also have turquoise in them. Silver and turquoise go beautifully together and make for a lovely piece of jewelry. The contrast between the two colors is brilliant.

Another part of the world that is known for their use of silver is Mexico. Silver pieces made in Mexico have a wide selection of stones in them. These stones range from inexpensive coral, which is a beautiful red color, to a pricier boulder opal, which has a brilliant mixture of colors, to a simple emerald with all of its elegant beauty.

Other parts of the world that silver comes from include Peru, Chile, China, Poland, and Australia. All of these countries have been mining silver for many years with Mexico and Peru being the longest, mining silver dating back as far as 1546. And the silver that these countries mine is not only useful for jewelry but for other things as well, such as cutlery, and heat conductors.

Silver jewelry has been a profitable industry for many, many years and from all indications it appears that the inexpensive precious metal will continue to be popular in future generations too. Silver jewelry will not loose its elegance and simplicity from over years that can be worn anytime we want and for that may be compared with gold jewelry. I have a feeling that many pieces from the past will stick around to be enjoyed for many years to come.

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