•   Our customers frequently asked us these questions:

Q. What is .925 sterling silver?
A. Pure silver is too soft to make jewelry. Sterling silver is an alloy made with pure silver and other metals depending on the manufacturer. In 1000 parts of the alloy, there are 925 parts that are pure silver (.999 silver), and 75 parts are other metal, which mostly is copper. This is why sterling silver is also called .925 silver. You will see the .925 or S925 stamp on an area of the jewelry.

Q. Why does sterling silver tarnish?
A. Pure silver does not tarnish. Copper does. When a piece of sterling silver is exposed to oxygen, it changes into a yellowish color. This is also called oxidized silver. That is the copper that is tarnishing. When a piece of sterling silver is worn, the human body oil reacts with copper, combined with oxygen, it then appears to be blackish color.

Q. What is 14K gold over .925 sterling silver?
A. In order to prevent the tarnishing from the sterling silver (more accurately the tarnishing from the 0.75 part of copper in the sterling silver), manufacturers apply a coat of rhodium over the sterling silver. Rhodium is one of the rarest and most valuable precious metal in the family of platinum. It has been the most expensive metal in the world for a long time. When Rhodium combines with gold, it makes the white gold. Since most people are not so aware of rhodium, merchants simply describe it as “gold over” on the market.        
         
Brought to you by Pearls N Silver, LLC
Gemological Institute of America Alumni
GIA Graduate Pearl Diploma
GIA Pearl Grading Certificate
Portland Maltnomah Art Center MetalSmith Completion

• Perfect for you or her - the music lover, with a little modern twist.
• Made of solid .925 sterling silver with rhodium coat, not silver filled, not silver plated, but .925 sterling silver inside with a coat of the rare precious metal rhodium on top.
• In order to prevent the tarnishing from the sterling silver, we apply a coat of rhodium over the sterling silver.
• This abstract music note pendant is with a free 16" solid .925 sterling silver with rhodium coat chain.
• This necklace is perfect for birthday, anniversary, graduation, music lovers.