Sterling Silver English
Sterling Silver English
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Silver - the Magical Metal
If Gold is the sun, then Silver is the moon. Mystical, cool, sacred. Since ancient times, Silver has been closely associated with lunar influences. Indeed, for some civilizations, Silver had more value than Gold and even possessed religious Significance.
To the Egyptians, gold represented perfection, so they gave it the symbol of a circle. Since Silver was the closest to gold in perfection, it was given the symbol of a semi-circle. Later this semi-circle led to a growing moon symbol.
Silver Mythology
The Egyptians believed Gold to be the skin of the Gods, so accordingly, their bones were thought to be of Silver. Silver was closely associated with the goddess Isis by the Egyptians and with all things flexible, creative, and emotionally intelligent.
The Romans called Silver argentum, keeping this as the international name of the element, from where its chemical symbol is derived. In Roman and Greek Mythology, the First Age was called Golden, the second Silver. Apollo, god of truth and light, teacher of medicine, carried a Silver bow. His twin sister Artemis lost a hand in battle and was later healed with a Silver replacement.
Islamic alchemy gives Silver an important place physically and conceptually. Silver was known as one of the seven sacred bodies. Alchemical procedures were even defined in terms of Silver, i.e. the Silvering of other metals; the act of giving other metals Silver-like qualities. Silver in European folklore has long been traditionally believed to be an antidote to various maladies and mythical monsters, largely due to its perceived purity and its connections to the Church. Just as with Gold, Silver was considered by the Ancients an almost sacred metal and consequently, of extremely restricted use. It was used for ornamental purposes, in personal and religious places for decoration, in utensils of the wealthiest houses and for paying debts. Mesopotamian merchants were trading in Silver as early as 700 BC.
Silver Through the Ages
From age to age, Silver has continued to be worked. The most influential Silver design work in the Middle Ages was commissioned by Royalty or the Church. The increasing wealth of the royal courts, of the aristocracy, and later, of the merchants, led to the establishment of secular workshops in the great cities and the foundation of confraternities, or guilds of Silversmiths, the first being that of Paris in 1202. At the end of the Middle Ages, the style of design was developing more distinctive national characteristics strongly influenced by architectural styles. The purity standards of Silver became rigorously controlled and "hallmarking" was enforced; the marking of Silver in England, especially, was carefully observed.
Sterling?
The word "Sterling" has denoted high-quality Silver - today required to be 925 parts out of a thousand pure - since the 13th Century when English-made coins contained only a little Silver. The only coins in Europe to contain large proportions of Silver were made by merchants out of Northern Germany, known collectively as the Hanseatic League. The League named their coins "Easterlings" to distinguish them from the low-Silver alloy coins of England. Ultimately, this measure of quality became contracted from "Easterling" to "Sterling".
Silver Today
Of course today, in comparison to other precious metals, Silver will always be the poor relation; the most affordable and easiest to find, yet many people will only wear Silver. Today, Silver jewellery's value is much more about the personal style of the wearer as it is about the cost of the actual material.
About the Author
Adam Hunter - E-commerce Marketing Manager of cooksongold.com. Cookson Precious Metals offer a choice of
jewellery making supplies
from over 10,000 products including gold and
silver findings
, solder tools, precious metal clay and gold and silver sheet - gold, silver, platinum. Contacts Adam Hunter E-commerce Marketing Manager Tel(DDI): +44 (0) 121 212 6491 E-mail: adam.hunter@cooksongo
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Silver - hallmarkings UK and abroad?
HI
I know that silver in UK has a hallmark but I wondered if they have them abroad and what they would be. For example, in English auctions a silver piece that does not have sterling hallmak can not be sold as silver it must be described as white metal. Do they have other itedntifications of silver in other countries?
Probably.
Antique English Victorian sterling silver oval easel picture
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 Lovely English Sterling Silver Napkin Ring for M H  US $46.95
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 Vintage ENGLISH HALLMARKED STERLING SILVER DEMI TASSE SPOON US $17.50
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 Vintage ENGLISH HALLMARKED STERLING SILVER SOUVENIR SPOON US $18.50
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![TIFFANY English Sterling Silver Mini Creamer Pitcher] Naylor Brothers 1924](http://www.midtownantiquesinc.com/images/e/160721629066_0.jpg)
 Vintage English Sterling Silver Topper Jar as is as found US $9.95
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 Small English Sterling Silver Covered Urn US $24.95
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 Small English Sterling Silver Trophy Style Vase 235troy US $75.00
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 antique English victorian sterling silver fish knife US $49.95
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 ENGLISH HALLMARKED STERLING SILVER BINOCULARS 1899 BIRMINGHAM US $116.91
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 Antique English Sterling Silver julep Beaker Cup US $220.00
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 4 Gorham Sterling Silver English Gadroon Pattern Teaspoons US $125.00
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 TIFFANYCO STERLING SILVER ENGLISH KING ICE CREAM SPOON US $105.00
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 STERLING SILVER spoon ring ENGLISH GADROON by GORHAM US $39.99
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