There are seemingly unlimited choices on the market for sterling silver jewelry. Varieties in designs of pendants, bracelets, pins, rings, charms, earrings, necklaces, cuff links, and key chains are so abundant that the shopper is not only left mystified, but can literally be overwhelmed. If you are searching for something different like a wonderful sterling silver cuff bracelet or handmade silver earrings, your search will surely not be in vain and will definitely be worth the effort. Jewelry styles are born again and again and are always evolving, so finding just the right piece can be somewhat daunting. Maybe that's not such a bad problem to have after all.

The Ins and Outs of Silver Jewelry

Traditional ornamentation to adorn human beings has been around through the centuries. Both men and women have always enjoyed the glint of fine silver jewelry against the skin and the warm glow it brings to the complexion. Tastes in sterling silver design may change over time but the basic materials remain the same and artisans working in the medium use their skills to produce increasingly interesting patterns. Silver jewelry through the ages has been hand wrought and even mass manufactured to reflect changes in styles and preferences, and to highlight the cultural differences of various countries.

It is considered stylish now to wear many silver rings on the fingers of one hand. Toe rings are popular among the young and free-spirited. Handmade sterling silver "slides" can be worn on silver "collars", chains or ropes according to your mood and dress of the day and are the latest trends in versatile jewelry fashion, as is combining both silver and gold pieces at once - necklaces, bracelets, or earrings. Several seemingly unrelated pieces are worn together, with an eye toward mixing and matching for an eclectic look. Wire wrapped jewelry is also a new trend, where polished stones or glass are wrapped in uniquely designed coils of intertwined and swirling silver threads.

Traditions, Traditions

As for traditional gift giving, an engraved silver cuff bracelet is always popular, appropriate for any age group, and is always greeted as a very welcome gift. Engraving any silver piece can make the gift so special it will become a keepsake. A sterling silver charm bracelet to welcome the birth of a child is guaranteed to become a cherished memento. You and the family can add silver charms and bracelet links through childhood and into the adult years and your choice of each charm will automatically create lasting memories just because it is your choice. Again, personalizing it or having it engraved will provide even more meaning.

Why Silver and Not Gold

Gifts of sterling silver jewelry are not only considered the stars of the design world, they remain reasonably priced, are considered less ostentatious than gold, and are actually preferred by the younger set and the young at heart as being more contemporary than gold, and just plain fun to wear.

Sterling silver gifts remain high on the list of sought after items around the world. If your tastes run toward simple elegance, you can find exactly what you are looking for on line or in jewelry stores, and specialty gift shops. If you prefer more intricately designed patterns and presentations to make a statement, you'll find those too.

Intrinsic Value

New sterling silver jewelry fads and trends mean different "looks" that appear every season. These changes in jewelry styles are much like trends in clothing and accessories like shoes. However, the real difference between sterling silver and all the fashion fad apparel is in silver's eternal value. In fact, sterling silver jewelry, because it can retain its warm glow through decades of wear, and because the trendy pieces of today eventually become the antiques of tomorrow, retains its value over time. The jewelry you wear today will certainly not be discarded like last year's favorite dress.

Keep the Glow

Of course, sterling silver will tarnish over time, depending upon humidity and other factors, because of its reactions to sulfides in the air. Left unpolished, a piece can dull and then turn dark, but can be easily cleaned to restore its natural glow. To prevent tarnishing, after polishing with a treated cloth (found in any jewelry store), it is recommended to store your jewelry in a plastic bag with all the air squeezed out.

The Untarnished Truth

Silver lovers around the world recognize that keeping up with the tarnish is well worth the satisfaction that comes with wearing fine jewelry, designed to match a mood, a personality, and a love of quality. The truth is that sterling silver jewelry remains reasonably priced, versatile, flexible, stylish, elegant and always fun - and is worn with love and pride throughout the world.