![]() Patina is what gives older silver pawn jewelry its character. The green patina on the Statue of Liberty is verdigris, a normal darkening of copper when it is exposed to the atmosphere. Patina Patina is the film on the surface of an item produced by chemical changes over a long period of time. Interestingly, a layer of tarnish actually protects an item from further tarnishing. The chemical reaction that takes place produces silver sulfate, the smoky, gray or black residue that some people dislike. Tarnish, on the other hand, is a layer that forms on the surface of a silver alloy, for example, when the item is exposed to sulfur or hydrogen sulfide in the air. Rust eats into and deforms the iron, degrading its strength. Rust occurs when items such as those containing iron, combine with oxygen to form iron oxide. Sterling silver alloy is harder than pure silver but the added metals also can cause discoloration or tarnish.īoth tarnish and rust are due to exposure to air. To be called sterling silver, the alloy must contain at least 92.5% pure silver. Sterling silver has a small amount of one or more other metals usually copper, added to the silver. To keep Sterling Silver jewelry shiny, follow the tips in this article.ġ00% solid silver won’t tarnish but it is too soft to use for making jewelry – it could easily be scratched, dented and bent. If you are selling your jewelry, read this To view our full list of article or to ask a jewelry question, follow the instructions here Here is another related article on the subject Is this a rare style of Squash Blossom Necklace? Is it vintage? Otherwise sterling silver can be buffed back to a brilliant shine. We leave it that way as some people like the natural patina. All items in our Pawn Shop, even NOS, have some patina. It is often valued for its aesthetically pleasing appearance. Patina – A dark or colored film of oxidation that forms naturally on metal by exposure to air and other elements. Read more about First Phase and Transition Period in First Phase in Native American Jewelry Pre-Owned – An item of any age but that has been used.įirst Phase – From 1860-1900. Made at least 20 years ago but never used. (However, with clothing, vintage means items made 20 years before the present day.) Vintage – 30 years old or older, so something made in the 1980s or earlier. Here is that definition along with some other terms related to age. ![]() Here at Horsekeeping LLC, we have developed our own definition of vintage to describe items in our pawn shop. So in reality, it does not, in a global sense, designate any particular age, just “of an age”. ![]() Webster defines the word vintage as a general term that is associated with a particular year such as a wine being of vintage 2009, for example. ![]() I’m a regular shopper in your Pawn Shop and wonder what vintage means? ![]()
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