For 5,000 years, silver has been a valuable asset. The first silver mines were discovered in present-day Turkey. Over time, silver was discovered in many locations worldwide and was used for coins, jewelry, goblets, silverware and many other items. Today, much of the world’s silver production is used by industry, especially in electronics, because no other metal is a better thermal and electrical conductor.
Invest in Silver
Whatever form it is in, silver always has value. It is bought and sold in the same way as gold, stocks or bonds. Silver coins or bullion are held by investors as part of a balanced portfolio and as a protection against falling stock prices or an economic crisis.
Shopping for Silver
Not all silver is the same. In fact, there are ten different types of silver used in jewelry. Silver is very soft, making it very easy for a jewelry maker to work with, but 100% pure silver is easily dented or broken. Different metals are alloyed with silver for durability. Finished silver jewelry will often have a very small quality stamp on the piece. Bring a jeweler’s magnifier or loupe when you Buy Silver in Chicago.
Silver Quality Markings
- Fine .999 Silver.
- 99.9% pure. It doesn’t wear as well as less pure silver alloys and is best used for earrings or necklaces
- Sterling .925 Silver.
- 92.5% silver, the world standard for quality jewelry
- Argentium Silver and Non-Tarnish Alloys.
- 92.5% silver and significantly more expensive than sterling because of the easy care feature
- Coin Silver.
- 90% silver and 10% copper, sometimes found in antique jewelry
- Silver.
- Unknown silver content, usually indicating low quality
- Silver-filled.
- 5-10% sterling fused to a brass core, lower quality than solid silvers
- Silver Plated.
- Silver over a base metal used for low-quality costume jewelry
- Nickel Silver.
- An inexpensive base metal alloy containing no silver, although it looks like silver; also called German silver or Alpaca silver
- Tibetan or Tribal Silver.
- These pieces can be beautiful, but contain no silver; some contain lead
- Bali, Thai or Mexican Silver.
- Good quality pieces will have a quality mark; others pieces are low-quality silver alloys
Clark Pawners & Jewelers has been located at the same safe Lincoln Park location for more than 46 years. This is a great place to buy silver in Chicago at excellent prices. You never know what you’ll find.
