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What is Silver?
Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and is sometimes referred to as pure silver. Sterling silver will tarnish over time but with care and regular cleaning can be restored to its good as new sparkling condition. The remaining 7.5% is usually copper but can be other metal and is used to give this precious metal strength and durability.Generally, the higher the silver content the brighter or whiter the metal but beware of antiquing effects that can make a piece of sterling silver jewellery or decorative silverware look dark. Silver which is 99.9% silver is too soft to be practical for most day to day uses. Do not use tissue or anything other than a jewellery cleaning cloth to polish your jewellery as unseen tiny hard fibers will scratch the surface.
A diamond is a form of carbon
A diamond is a form of carbon that was created deep within the core of the earth more than 3 billion years ago and brought to the surface by volcanic eruption. In diamond, each carbon atom is bonded to four other carbon atoms in a tetrahedral structure, like a pyramid. Each link or bond is the same length, and the tetrahedral formation is therefore completely regular.Theoretically a perfect diamond crystal could be composed of one giant molecule of carbon. After the magma cooled, it solidified into kimberlite, where the precious rough diamond is still found today. It is the strength and regularity of this bonding which makes diamond very hard, non-volatile and resistant to chemical attack.
Diamonds are forever
You may be familiar with the term, 'Diamonds are Forever'. It is made popular by the De Beers advertising campaigns and for good reason. They have been used throughout the ages as bearers of mystic powers and incredible beauty. Not only are these diamonds rare in numbers but also in the number of skilled artisans that can complement their exquisite beauty.Part of the credit for the almost mythical reverence to diamonds throughout the years belongs to the fact that these beauties are quite rare in their most sought after gemstone quality form. Through the centuries they have been revered and admired by many civilizations. When it comes to history, diamonds have a very long and fascinating record as one of the most intriguing gemstones on the planet. Forged billions of years ago, long before dinosaurs roamed the planet, they have survived the forces of nature to reach us.
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