As you may have noticed, The Vintage Lady of Harpers Ferry carries lots of sterling silver bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. So, this may make you wonder: why sterling silver and not plain silver? Perhaps, you think, it’s less pure.
Actually, yes, it is …but that’s a good thing. Here’s why: silver tends to tarnish quickly – just look at your grandmother’s silver tea set for evidence of that. And, it bends and breaks easily. So, jewelers frequently add 7.5% copper to strengthen the silver and ensure it maintains its healthy glow.
The copper solution also explains why sterling silver jewelry contains a stamp reading .925 or 92.5% . That’s the amount of silver jewelry must contain to officially be deemed “sterling”.
Regardless of the mix, silver came a long way to reach The Vintage Lady…not to mention your jewelry boxes. The ancients living in the islands near the Aegean Sea began separating silver from lead in the 4th millennium BCE. Today, though, it’s primarily mined in Mexico and Peru.
Sterling silver is beautiful, classy, and, yes, priced to make you smile!
Natalie and Jessa Lemke are not only sisters but best friends. They are a jewelry design team with a shared passion for a dream. After the passing of their mother, they decided to sell their wonderful creations and raise money for the American Cancer Society. One dollar of every item they sell is contributed to the American Cancer Society. to date, they have been able to donate more than $1000 through the sale of their jewelry. The Vintage Lady is thrilled to carry the work of these talented sisters.
