Sterling silver is used In so many different products, and for this reason it can be hard to know what exactly to invest in. We will be answering all of your questions in this article so you will know what to invest in.
Throughout this article we are going to discuss the good and bad with sterling silver as a investment, also going through the pros and cons of Sterling silver flatware, 925 silver, sterling silver jewellery, silverware and sterling silver bars.
Why Is Sterling Silver A Good Investment?
Sterling silver is an overall good investment because it is a high-quality material and is used to create lots of different objects.
Sterling silver is popular with investors because silver is a precious metal that can be bought and sold for a good amount of money, especially when combined with other valuable materials, such as gold or diamond. Often, such materials only increase in value, so investing in sterling silver can definitely be worthwhile.
Sterling silver is a beautiful and resistant material, so it shouldn’t start to wear out over the years, as long as you take care of it properly.
If sterling silver retains its attractive appearance, it should retain its value. It is also a very good investment for products that are displayed or used in your home, or for products that can be worn because it looks good and it will last.
The reason that sterling silver is considered an investment is due to its long-lasting capabilities. After all, if a product can stand the test of time and all the potential damage that comes with it, then you’ll know that it’s an investment.
Even if you decide not to sell your sterling silver on later down the line, having something that is durable, valuable, and beautiful will allow you to enjoy the material without needing to worry about replacing it.
Pros and Cons of Investing In Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Flatware
Lots of flatware sets are made of sterling silver because the material works so well for products that are used on a daily basis.
Sterling silver is nice to look at too, so you’ll be able to find plenty of attractive flatware sets. Lots of people choose to keep flatware sets for special occasions and sterling silver is an excellent choice in that regard too.
Pros:
Sterling silver is durable, so you don’t need to worry about it tarnishing or decaying when you use it. After all, your flatware will come into contact with lots of different foods and you don’t want anything to work away at the metal.
If sterling silver wasn’t a strong and resistant material, it wouldn’t be a popular material for creating flatware sets.
Lots of people purchase flatware sets because they are nice to look at and sterling silver is definitely that! If you are looking for the perfect flatware set to save and then bring out for special occasions, a sterling silver set is one of the best choices currently on the market.
You’ll be able to display the sterling silver flatware in your home and have it double as both an ornamental piece and a set of cutlery to be used.
Cons:
Even though sterling silver is very durable, you should try not to scrape it unnecessarily when it is in use because that will eventually start to wear away at it.
You should also avoid putting sterling silver flatware in the dishwasher because even though it can technically be washed that way, the harsh water and detergent may cause it to tarnish.
Another potential downside is that a lot of the flatware market consists of stainless steel because it is a more affordable product, so sterling silver flatware might be more difficult to find.
925 Silver
Sterling silver is also known as 925 silver due to the fact that sterling silver is made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals.
Though it is not 100% pure silver, 925 silver is often easier and more affordable to get your hands on. That is not to say that 925 silver products are cheap because the material has good value and is very useful, but it is a fantastic alternative to pure silver, which is very expensive and less accessible.
Pros:
The biggest pro of buying 925 silver is that it is a more affordable option for the majority of people that doesn’t come with a lower quality.
Of course, not all 925 silver products will fall into budget, but there are plenty of options, particularly in high-street stores, that don’t break the bank. With 925 silver, you know that almost the entire product is pure silver, so the excellent quality is guaranteed and the material will be incredibly durable.
On a similar note, the good quality of 925 silver means that it is perfect for use on products that will touch the skin, such as jewellery, because it will not irritate.
In fact, the best quality 925 silver products are the ones that don’t present a lot of opportunities for upkeep because they will not tarnish, allowing you to take general care of them and enjoy them to the max.
The value of your well-kept 925 silver will only increase over time, so you can be sure that you’ve got an excellent investment in your hands.
Cons:
Though 925 silver can be affordable in some cases, there are others in which the prices reach exponential level. This is because 925 silver is made up of mostly pure silver, and the value of pure silver is showing no signs of going down, especially as consumer demand equals a huge supply of silver products to the market.
If you are on a very strict budget, you may have to choose fake silver instead, but fake silver will decay much more easily than real silver and will require replacing much more frequently.
Sterling Silver Jewellery
Sterling silver jewellery has always been popular and that popularity is certainly not slowing down anytime soon!
Jewellers and other establishments are highly unlikely to not sell sterling silver jewellery, especially since there is such a high demand for silver jewellery in general.
Pure silver is actually too soft to be used to make jewellery, so sterling silver is the material that is currently dominating the industry, with plenty of good things to be said about it.
Pros:
Sterling silver is a beautiful material, which is why it is perfect for jewellery! And if you have sensitive skin, you don’t need to worry about sterling silver jewellery causing any irritation because it is a completely non-reactive metal.
Silver has also been promoted as an excellent circulation stimulant, so you may even feel more comfortable with your sterling silver jewellery on!
Another big pro of sterling silver jewellery is that it keeps its value. Even if you buy from a brand that sources sterling silver jewellery at lower prices, the piece will still retain both its flawless appearance and its monetary value.
In fact, higher priced pieces of genuine sterling silver jewellery can be bought for thousands of dollars, so good jewellery is always a solid investment, even if you don’t end up actually wearing it very often.
If you do choose to buy sterling silver jewellery to wear all the time, you won’t need to worry about it breaking or tarnishing, unless it is exposed to an excessive amount of damage.
Sterling silver is kind to skin and it looks amazing when combined with different gems, so all eyes will be on your jewellery wherever you go!
Cons:
One con when it comes to silver is that the material can be slightly warped or damaged if it is put under pressure, but this shouldn’t be a problem if you are cautious with your jewellery and take proper care of it when necessary.
Something else to look out for is any nickel being alloyed with the silver to create sterling silver because nickel is not hypoallergenic. Silver is most often alloyed with copper to create sterling silver, so in most cases, sterling silver should be completely safe for all skin types.
You should always look out for very cheap jewellery being marketed as sterling silver jewellery’ because though some brands do sell sterling silver products at more affordable prices, very cheap jewellery is highly likely to not be real sterling silver.
If you do end up accidentally buying fake sterling silver jewellery, you will notice it tarnishing quickly and potentially causing inflammation to your skin.
Silverware
A good set of silverware is always a solid investment, so why not choose sterling silver for something that you want to last for years?
Sterling silver silverware stretches from antique sets to very new and modern products, demonstrating its efficiency and effectiveness. Sterling silver is a material that you can put your trust in, which you’ll need to do for something that gets used as much as silverware does.
Pros:
Sterling silver silverware looks very attractive, especially since lots of sets have elegant designs that make them ideal for dinner parties and celebrations.
The fact that sterling silver has been a popular material for silverware for such a long time also indicates that it is a good investment because it will keep its value and can make a lot of money if sold to a collector or expert.
The extra maintenance work that is needed for sterling silver will pay off because your silverware will look amazing, be easy to use, and will remain valuable.
Cons:
Silver has a mild metallic taste, so, while it will not be overpowering, you might notice it from time to time. In the unlikely situation that your sterling silver silverware starts to rust, you might notice a stronger taste that puts you off using the silverware.
That is why it’s so important to properly wash, dry and store your silverware, otherwise you’re exposing it to unnecessary damage.
Sterling Silver Bars
Sterling silver bars might not be as common as jewellery or silverware, but they can be very valuable, especially if you have some and decide to sell them to a collector.
Bars aren’t as easy to obtain as other sterling silver products, but they are worth having them if you can find them. Investing in a larger amount of sterling silver can definitely pay off if you are looking for an item to sell on in the future.
Pros:
Sterling silver bars are beautifully crafted and make amazing ornamental pieces for your home.
They can also end up being worth a lot more money than they originally cost if the demand for a certain bar or design goes up, so you’ll be investing in an object that will either retain the same value or become more valuable over time.
Some sterling silver bars can even be antiques, so you might have happened across something worth a lot of money without even knowing it.
Cons:
Sterling silver bars will need to be carefully looked after so that they don’t get lost or scratched.
One downside when compared with jewellery and flatware is that bars cannot be enjoyed the same way because they are more for ornamental or sentimental purposes, though that is something that anyone who purchases a sterling silver bar will know.
As sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, you’ll really need to be careful with your bars because any damage to the softer metal could lower its value.
