LOVE BUZZ FEED! It's so much fun to use....it's so much fun to search...It's so much fun to post! Here's my first post for BUZZFEED that I created for a Jewelry Manufacturer I am currently working for! 1. How can I be sure I’m buying silver? Real sterling silver typically has a mark on it, like 925 or S925. If there is an official stamp, then it’s likely that it’s real. But with lots of impostors today, there are some other ways that you may be able to tell with near certainty. Did you know that shiny metals, such as silver, gold and platinum are not-magnetic? If you’re worried that what looks like silver, may not truly be silver, place a magnet near the item. If it’s attracted to it, then sorry! IT’S NOT SILVER! Here’s another way: Take a soft white cloth and rub a small part of the jewelry. Look at the cloth. Are there black marks on it? YES? Then you have a piece of silver! The black marks you see are the oxidizing marks that happen over time to real silver. NO BLACK MARKS? Sorry….probably not real! 2. What does the number 925 really mean? Real silver is super soft and wouldn’t be durable as jewelry, so when something says “Sterling Silver” or you see the numbers “925” it means that 92.5% of the metal is silver, and the other 7.5% is some kind of other alloy, typically copper to make the item durable and stronger. This is MUCH different from items that are silver plated. |n those cases, a layer of silver is placed over another metal or alloy. 3. How long will my silver jewelry last? With love and care your treasured piece of Sterling Silver Jewelry could last forever! It is not costume or junk jewelry! However, unlike gold, Sterling Silver does tarnish and needs periodic cleanings. Purchasing a good jewelry cleaner will make your silver pieces sparkle and appear brand new and last a lifetime! 4. When did people start wearing silver jewelry? Jewelry has been around as long as there have been women to give it to! The Bible records a that Isaac (Abraham’s son) sends a messenger to deliver jewelry (and cattle) to his betrothed, Rebecca. 5. What is a gemstone? Precious stones are diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds. When it comes to the remaining stones, they are all considered semi-precious….but it doesn’t make them less stunning! When a precious or semi-precious stone is used in jewelry, it gets the designation of being called a gemstone. Did you know that diamonds are made of carbon? Many of the remaining gems are different types of crystals. No matter what type of gemstone, it’s value and worth are often linked to its luster, shine and condition. Gemstones come in such an amazing variety of colors, shape, hardness, level of shine…..but once you put them in jewelry - GORGEOUS! 6. So how do you spell it? Jewelry or Jewellery? The correct spelling is JEWELRY. Whilst if you were having a spot of tea with the Queen, you may comment, “What beautiful JEWELLERY you are wearing.”