I work with both Sterling Silver and Thai Silver and each has a special purpose in Jewelry design. I have to admit though, that I have really fallen in love with Thai Silver and use it where ever I can in my designs. There is a distinct difference between Sterling Silver and Thai Silver, each with its own unique advantages.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The minimum amount of silver to be labeled Sterling is 925. Fine silver (99.9% pure) is generally too soft for producing large functional objects, and in Sterling the silver is usually alloyed with copper to give strength while at the same time preserving the malleability or ductility of the silver and a high precious metal content. So, in other words, its soft enough to create items such as trays, tea sets and cutlery, yet it is strong enough to maintain its shape without breaking or fracturing.
In the US you will see Sterling Silver marked with 925, .925 or Sterling. These stamps are called Hallmarks and depending on where the Sterling gees from you will see different stamps, such as the crown that Sheffield Sterling Silver from England uses.
The downfall of Sterling Silver is that it tarnishes and requires cleaning frequently and this is mainly due to the copper content of the piece. There are new Sterling Silvers emerging on the market that have changed the other metals to those that maintain the integrity of the Sterling, yet create a virtually tarnish resistant finish.
Thai Silver
Fine silver is 99.9% silver or better. This grade of silver is used to make bullion bars for international gemodities trading. In the modern world Fine Silver is understood to be too soft for general use. Thai Silver falls in between Sterling Silver and Fine Silver. It is strong enough to be crafted into smaller items which makes it perfect for jewelry-making. Thai silver also has the benefit of not tarnishing the way that Sterling does because there is no copper in Thai Silver. Most of the silver gees from the Hill Tribes.
Hill tribe silver jewelry from northern Thailand, though hundreds of years old in its distinct design, works well accessorizing even the most up-to-date fashion trend. Hill tribe bracelets, for instance, can feel classic or contemporary or ethnic, depending upon their individual motif and design.
Over 100 years ago, the Hilltribe peoples migrated south from China into what are now Burma, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. The main profession of all these tribes is farming, and all of them tend to migrate whenever they feel that the soil at their present location is begeing depleted.
Approximately twenty distinct tribes of semi-nomadic peoples, collectively called hill tribes, live in the mountains along the Burmese and Laotian borders of northern Thailand. The largest and most prominent hill tribes are the Hmong, Akha, Lisu, Lahu, Meo, and Karen. Culturally the tribes are of interest because their relative isolation has enabled them to retain almost unchanged customs and traditions that go back centuries.
Each tribe is district, with its own culture, religion, language, art, and dress. With Thailand undergoing rapid modern development, it is difficult yet to say whether these tribes will continue in there traditional ways of life, or whether they will eventually be absorbed into the surrounding and ever more-encroaching Thai society.
A rich part of their cultural tradition is the making and wearing of silver jewelry. What once was a artistic skill honed in the tiny tribal villages in the mountains of northern Thailand now can be found produced in the factories of Thailands second largest city, Chang Mai. On Wualai Street in Chang Mai all manners of silver jewelry and silver objects are crafted. Intricate patterns of hill tribe-inspired designsbracelets, earrings, necklaces and ringsare hammered out by Thai silversmiths.
Aside from the work of the Chang Mai city artisans, a buyer of silver in northern Thailand can still purchase the less refined silverwork of the hill tribes. But, this is not considered a downfall of these silver pieces. The quality is still remarkable and because it isnt created in the factory, each artisans vision of the piece is very evident and this makes each piece a unique work of art.
I love the look of the Silver as it has a warm glow that differs from the sharpness of Sterling Silver. I use silver from the Karen Hill Tribe of Northern Thailand. Each piece has been individually handcrafted by skilled craftsmen, thus maintaining its uniqueness. Thai Silver also blends better with both warm and cool tones in gemstones. No two samples are exactly alike. It's more expensive than Sterling Silver as it is imported and has a higher silver content than Sterling. Thai silver is very easy to care for. No chemical cleaners are necessary. Just dip a soft cloth into some Lime juice and buff gently to bring back the warm patina of this silver.
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