Silver has been a staple in jewellery for millennia. It is malleable, allowing jewellers to easily shape it into beautiful designs, as well as being distinctive and reflective. Both women’s silver bracelets and men’s silver bracelets, particularly over the last century, have grown in popularity, though not everyone knows how best to add silver jewellery to their outfits.
The Different Types of Silver
Before we get to the practicalities of wearing silver, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re getting for your money. As with most jewellery, you usually get what you pay for, however, there are ways for you to check the quality of the product you’re buying before you commit to a purchase.
The first key point to understand is that silver jewellery is very rarely pure silver. Whether you’re buying an engagement ring or a designer silver bracelet, your jewellery is an alloy, meaning a combination of multiple different metals. The quantity of silver in your jewellery directly influences the price, as well as other traits like durability. You can check the quality of the alloy through distinctive markings on the jewellery piece.
Fine Silver (Marked .999)
Fine Silver is marked with a .999 quality stamp which means that it’s 99.9% pure silver. Usually the last 0.1% is made up of trace materials that have a negligible impact on the overall quality of the product.
Fine Silver usually has a greater sheen than Sterling Silver but isn’t suitable for jewellery due to its innate pliability that makes it easy to scratch, dent and bend out of shape. With its natural softness, Fine Silver has a shorter lifespan than most metal jewellery, which is why Sterling Silver has been acknowledged as the universal quality standard.
Sterling Silver (Marked .925)
Sterling Silver is the most commonly used silver quality across the world and is made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper or nickel. The addition of these other metals into the alloy makes the material harder and as a result, more durable. This makes Sterling Silver much more useful for regularly worn items like silver bracelets, rings and necklaces.
One concern with Sterling Silver is that whilst it remains shiny and eye-catching, it can tarnish if it isn’t looked after. Tarnishing is usually dependent on the wearer’s biology and skincare habits as opposed to manufacturing issues. Use a soft polishing cloth to revive your jewellery whenever necessary. Fortunately, a lot of silver jewellery is also rhodium plated to help resist tarnishing more than standard Sterling Silver. Tateossian’s silver jewellery is Rhodium plated and made from Sterling Silver to keep tarnishing issues at bay. If you’re interested in learning more about how to care for your jewellery, see our product care guide.
Argentium Silver (Marked .935 or more)
Argentium Silver is a relatively new addition to the jewellery market. Argentium is an alloy just like Sterling Silver but is usually made from 93.5% silver and 6.5% germanium.
The addition of germanium gives Argentium Silver both fire stain and tarnish resistance. This means that not only is your silver jewellery less likely to stain through accidents, but it’s also seven times less likely to tarnish, saving you a little polishing time. Saying this, it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on your jewellery because this increased resistance doesn’t make tarnishing an impossibility.
Whilst Argentium has a lot of benefits, the main downside is the price. In terms of visual appearance, there is little difference between Argentium and standard Sterling Silver, but Argentium is still significantly more expensive.
Silver (Unmarked)
Jewellery simply described as ‘silver’ is a very risky purchase if you are looking for quality craftsmanship. Without a clear quality mark, ‘silver’ jewellery could contain anything from low-quality silver alloys to no silver at all. Regularly, brass products are painted and sold as silver jewellery. Ensure you are buying from a reputable seller and if possible, check for quality marks to be sure.
Wearing Designer Silver Bracelets
Now that you’re aware of the different types of silver available, we can get to the most important question – how to make sure you look good whilst wearing your silver bracelet. Fortunately, silver benefits from being a neutral colour that can work in most outfits, but there are still rules to consider when picking out that perfect piece.
When Should You Wear Silver Bracelets?
Both women’s and men’s silver bracelets come in countless styles, designs and appearances, which is why it’s important to consider where you are going before selecting your accessories.
If you’re going to work and intending to type, then dangling silver bracelets and large silver bangles can get in the way and become uncomfortable. Instead, stick to tighter, simpler bangles and chains that won’t impede you whilst you’re using the computer.
Equally, if you’re attending an evening formal event, having a little dangling glamour can add texture to a clean-cut outfit, whether that be a suit or an evening gown. Thick chains work well for men, whilst simple and elegant bangles complete a lady’s look.
When going casual, you can wear what you please! Silver bracelets are extremely varied in style; if you’re just going out for a walk or to meet up with friends then simply wear jewellery that you like.
These general rules should work well in most situations but when in doubt, stick to cleaner and simpler bracelets as they are more likely to complement your outfit.
How to Coordinate Your Silver Bracelet with the Rest of Your Outfit
Silver is neutral and versatile, making it go with almost everything, though you can still make your look unique and eye-catching.
If your outfit has patterns or a busy colour scheme, then a simple silver bracelet is great for contrasting and balancing your look. For instance, consider less intricate pieces like solid silver bangles or chains. The same applies if your outfit has thick, ruffled fabrics; textured clothing and ornate jewellery create a busy and overpowering look, so stick to solid, simplistic pieces.
Saying that, don’t be afraid to make a statement! Large, ornate or particularly eye-catching silver bracelets can be equally as stylish as their simpler counterparts. Furthermore, wearing multiple different styles of bracelet together can create a new layer of depth to your outfit, perfect for adding that extra something to a simple black dress or elegant ensemble.
For more casual occasions, consider bringing together bold shirts and sparkling silver bracelets. As a more recent trend, this combination is bound to draw attention. Think about simple, thick bangles with block colour shirts. You won’t regret it.
Whether it’s a designer silver bracelet or a silver-plated vintage item, silver jewellery can complement almost any look.
How to Select Complementary Accessories for Your Silver Bracelet
Silver bracelets can work particularly well when combined with other silver accessories over the top of a block-coloured outfit. Consider a royal blue suit with a silver bracelet, watch and necklace. These silver selections emphasise each other, whilst simultaneously complementing the outfit as a whole. This is the perfect situation from an accessory stand-point.
Saying that, silver accessories are neutral and can also work well with other coloured accessories. For an eye-catching look, combine gold and silver jewellery pieces with a black outfit. Silver excels when it contrasts the greater colour scheme, whilst gold and black is a classic combination.
Silver bracelets are versatile enough to be included in most outfits, making them the perfect multi-purpose accessory. You simply can’t go wrong.