SILVER
Jewellery and silverware are traditionally made from sterling silver (standard silver), an alloy of 92.5% silver with 7.5% copper.Sterling silver jewelry is often plated with a thin coat of .999 fine silver to give the item a shiny finish. This process is called;flashing. Silver jewelry can also be plated with rhodium (for a bright, shiny look) or gold. Silver is cheaper than gold, though still valuable, and so is very popular with
jewelers who are just starting out and cannot afford to make pieces in gold, or as a practicing material for goldsmith apprentices.
Silver has also
become very fashionable, and is used frequently in more artistic jewellery pieces.
Traditionally silversmiths mostly made silverware (cutlery, table flatware, bowls, candlesticks and such). Only in more recent times has silversmithing become mainly work in jewellery, as much less solid silver tableware is now handmade.
Silver is used for awards medals, denoting second place.
Some high-end musical instruments are made of sterling silver, such as the flute.
