Do Sterling Silver Rings Last? How long does a sterling silver ring last? If you are into antiques, you will notice that the most common metal used for antique jewelry is sterling silver.
And whether you are planning to buy new sterling silver or used sterling silver rings, it would be prudent for you to first find out how long that ring will last, especially if you will be spending top dollar on it.
If you have questions, you are in the right place because we have all the answers you might have about sterling silver rings and how long it would last.
This information is also important because you will be able to tell whether the ring would remain in the family as an heirloom or not. To determine how long the sterling silver rings last and what you’d have to do to make sure that the ring lasts even longer than you’d expect it to, we need to first take a look at the manufacturing process for sterling silver rings.
Understand the manufacturing process of a silver ring
Sterling silver is the most popular material used in jewelry, from the extravagant cocktail gemstone rings to the simpler, classic-designed wedding bands.
It is a beautiful metal, and though it tarnishes, the layer of tarnish from oxidization adds a beautiful antique finish to the sterling silver ring.
So, how does it come to be?
Well, sterling silver, better known as 925 Sterling Silver( here we focus on a topic: is sterling silver worth anything?), is made of 92.5% pure, high-quality silver, and 7.5% metal alloys.
One of the metals in the 7.5% is copper, which is one of the most common metal alloys in sterling silver.
While other metals are added to silver to make sterling silver, for example, nickel, copper is the most common metal added to the pure silver(999 silver).
Do sterling silver rings last?
Yes. Sterling silver rings are some of the most durable ring designs on the market today, and if you are looking for a ring design that will last, then sterling silver would be a good option.
Thanks to the durable design of sterling silver rings, getting yourself the best sterling silver ring would be a great idea because the best quality sterling silver rings can last a lifetime when you take good care of them.
If you are careful and give the best level of care to the silver ring, it will last for 40 years or even more.
It’s worth noting that the strength and the durability of the sterling silver ring is made possible by the addition of metal alloys into the 92.5% pure silver.
Basically, pure silver is very soft as it is, and it cannot be molded into a hard material to curate jewelry. Incorporating the metal leaves you with a high-quality, high-strength, and a beautiful metal that makes the best jewelry.
To boost the longevity of the sterling silver ring, you might want to consider a rhodium-plated or rhodium-coated finish. The plated finish of the ring will make it tarnish-resistant, enhancing its durability.
Besides the natural design of the sterling silver, the other thing that will affect how long the ring lasts is how often it is worn. If you wear the ring every day and expose it to different harsh conditions every day, the ring will not, however, last as long.
How long do sterling silver rings last?
As mentioned above, sterling silver rings are naturally beautiful, and they will last a pretty long time if well cared for. But how long will the sterling silver rings last exactly?
Well, the sterling silver rings will wear off at different rates depending on how often one wears the ring. For example, if you wear the ring all the time, the average lifetime of the ring will vary from 20 to 30 years, but only if you take good care of the ring.
On the other hand, if you wear the ring occasionally and store the ring right, then the ring will definitely last forever.
It’s also worth noting that because sterling silver is one of the most common precious metals, right after gold, the sterling silver ring is obviously made of a classic ring, and because of the precious and the long-lasting design of sterling silver, the ring will automatically last long, and most importantly, the ring is a timeless symbol of love and appreciation for the person you love.
Back to the question above, sterling silver lasts an average of 20 years, but taking good care of that ring will automatically stretch the ring’s longevity throughout several generations. It’s also important to keep in mind that the longevity of the ring will depend on the processes of making the rings, for example, purity and the oxidation process.
Purity affects the quality and the durability of the ring, and it pretty much a factor that affects the quality of metals. Essentially, the purity level of the metals plays into the malleability of the metal and consequently, how soon the ring tarnishes or rusts. In terms of numbers, a .875 ring will tarnish much later than the .925 ring. The reason for this is that the .925 ring has a higher level of purity, meaning more reactive silver, hence quicker rusting and also bending of the ring.
The other element to consider is oxidation, which is an important design process. Allowing the sterling silver ring means that the silversmith allows some parts of the ring to darken (through the chemical process of oxidation). This is an important consideration because the oxidized parts of the sterling silver will lose clarity much faster than the other parts that are not oxidized.
Tips to protect your silver rings
To ensure that your ring lasts longer than the average 20-30 years, you need to take extra care of the ring. Proper care means the elimination of harsh components that would affect the ring’s durability, while also limiting the ring’s exposure to harsh components in the environment.
That said, here are some of the things you could do to protect your silver rings and make sure the ring lasts.
Proper cleaning
It always starts with a good cleaning. If you want a ring to last long or any other jewelry for that matter, you need to clean it right.
All metals can be cleaned, and you need to know how to clean it at home.
Even if the ring comes with a warranty, the warranty only covers one or two cleanings each year if you are lucky, and you might not always have the time to get it to the jeweler for professional cleaning.
The good news is that you have a good number of options for cleaning the ring at home properly, making sure that the ring retains its shine all the time.
The best part is that you wouldn’t have to worry about having to use the silver polish or silver cleaners that only end up damaging the softer stones on the ring, especially if the ring has a topaz or an opal.
How to Clean Sterling Silver Rings
1.Soap and water
Cleaning jewelry with soap and water is pretty much a classic as it works for pretty much anything. You’ll need some clean, warm water, a gentle dish soap, and a soft cotton cloth.
Clean it up, then dry it with a clean and a soft cloth, then store it as directed. Never soak the ring though – if it’s too grimy, get a soft-bristle brush to clean it with.
2.Baking soda and water
Make some baking powder paste using warm water, then brush the paste throughout the ring gently using a soft-bristled brush or a soft cloth.
Once cleaned, rinse it in warm water then pat it dry.
3.Lemon juice and olive oil
Combine ½ cups of lemon juice with one tsp olive oil, then dip a soft cloth in this solution, wring out the solution, and rub this wet cloth over the ring’s surface. Rinse and dry it when you’re done.
4.Baking soda and white vinegar
If the ring is too tarnished or rusty, you’ll need this cleaning solution – 2 tbsp baking soda and ½ cups white vinegar – soak the tarnished ring in the solution for 2-3 hours, rinse and dry it.
5.Aluminum foil, baking soda, salt, and hot water
Line your glass roasting pan with aluminum foil, place the ring on the foil, pour hot water to cover the rings, add 2tbsps.
Baking soda and salt until dissolved, then let it sit for 5 minutes. Remove the ring using a tong, then rinse and dry the ring.
Don’t use rubber gloves to remove the ring from the hot solution – it’s unsafe because of the sulfur in the rubber gloves, which will cause a chemical reaction. Also, you need to be ready for some rancid smells – it’s nothing to worry about.
6.Combination
Use baking soda with water, olive oil, and lemon juice, followed by soap and water.
Other tips
- Use the warranty provided
- Limit exposure by taking the ring off when necessary, for example, when doing house chores, in the pool, out in the sun, in case of heavy lifting, and when you are working out.
- Store it in a safe place, for example, a velvet pouch or a ring cushion
- Don’t apply lotions or creams with the ring on
Conclusion
Sterling silver rings last, but the exact number of years it lasts and whether it lasts for a lifetime or not will depend on how well you take care of the ring.
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Tiger is a fashion&jewelry lover. He is also a fashion jewelry manufacturer that help thousands of small business to grow and also do business with some big fashion jewelry brands. He is a truly metal expert and he will share some information you are looking for.