Silver Bracelets

One of the absolute most favorite choices in bracelets? Silver bracelets.

The silver bracelet (and/or the sterling silver bracelet) is a favorite because it is great looking and affordable. Jewelers love to make sterling silver bracelets because the metal is very easy to work with. Bracelet buyers love sterling silver because it is the most reflective metal and can take the best sheen. Silver is used to craft silver bracelets in tons of styles and designs.

And boy do we have options. Like what, you say? Like these…

• sterling silver curb bracelets
• men’s sterling silver bracelet – many men prefer a men’s silver bracelet over a more valuable metal; the look is somewhat more masculine and they can worry a little less about loss and/or damage (not that they would want to do either)
• link silver bracelet
• silver cuff bracelet or sterling silver cuff bracelet – includes the men’s silver cuff bracelet; look for variations on the classic like the Italian silver braided cuff bracelet
• sterling silver spoon bracelets
• sterling silver charm bracelet – the silver charm bracelet is one of the most popular bases for charm jewelry collections, and there are thousands of charms available to add to silver charm bracelets

The question on the minds of many jewelry buyers and silver bracelet buyers is - what is the difference between silver bracelets and sterling silver bracelets?

Sterling silver refers to the purity of the silver metal from which a sterling silver or silver bracelet was made.

Sterling silver is silver that is 92.5% silver. The remaining 7.5% is other metals alloyed with the silver, usually copper. The reason for this is that pure, 100% silver would be too soft for jewelry-making and could not stand up to wear. Also, the alloyed copper makes it so that the silver does not tarnish as easily. Sterling silver will bear a mark indicating that it is sterling silver. Marks that indicate sterling silver are: SS, 925 silver, 92.5% silver, or .925 silver.

A label of only silver means that the composition is something less than 92.5% silver. The composition can vary, and may or may not be labeled. If a silver bracelet that is not sterling silver does bear a mark, the number represented indicates the percentage of silver in the alloy. For example, a mark may say ‘800’ silver, indicating that it is 80% silver, 20% alloys. Silver that is not sterling is still good quality, just not as good as pure, although some people prefer the harder alloys and the color of them, not to mention the more affordable price.

Whether the composition of the silver and alloys matters to you is a matter of personal preference. In the end, all that matters is that you are happy with the bracelet, and you feel good wearing it. After all, buying and wearing silver bracelets is all about looking good.