Argentium Silver | The Problem with Traditional Sterling

The Problem with Traditional Sterling

Pure silver is too soft for many applications. For centuries, Sterling silver has been made by alloying copper with pure silver to impart hardness and durability, however, this addition of copper has two major disadvantages...

Tarnish is the term given to the discolouration of metal surfaces caused by copper’s exposure to sulphur compounds in the atmosphere.

Firescale is caused when sterling silver is heated in air for manufacturing processes including casting and brazing. Oxygen reacts with the copper in sterling silver to form a dark, penetrating oxide which can be difficult and labour intensive to remove. Firescale is often masked by plating a thin layer of silver over the surface.

The Solution - The Silver Revolution |