I understand the concern with purchasing 925 Sterling Silver jewelry. There are so many sellers out there saying their jewelry is 925 Sterling Silver, but it is actually silver plated over a base metal, possibly containing nickel. This is a problem because it can cause allergic reactions and will degrade quickly, with the silver plating wearing off and revealing the base metal underneath.
It is important that I purchase my Sterling Silver from a reputable dealer, and I do. My main supplier is Halstead, a company that's been in business in Arizona since 1973. Halstead has a quality control and lab testing process to certify their materials. This is an essential factor when selecting a supplier.
Halstead has a precious metals and quality assurance program. They randomly pull samples from their inventory and send them to an independent lab for testing. All suppliers are run through the same process before they are allowed to sell to Halstead. This testing verifies the purity of their precious metal materials, including 925 Sterling Silver and 14kt Gold.
There are several ways to test the purity of gold and silver. Many companies will use X-ray fluorescence (XRF) because it's quick, non-destructive and cost-effective. However, XRF is not always accurate. For accurate results, the best methods use advanced chemical analysis, such as fire assay, gravimetric analysis or wet chemistry. These methods are not as quick and they are destructive, but they are accurate. Halstead uses fire assay and gravimetric analysis to verify the purity of their materials. This is the best way to ensure the composition of their gold and silver is accurate.
I am confident in the quality of my Sterling Silver jewelry and the reputation of Halstead. With independent lab testing, I know I have 925 Sterling Silver and there is no nickel in it. You can be assured that my jewelry is 925 Sterling Silver, hypoallergenic and nickel-free, meaning it is safe for sensitive skin. This is why I guarantee all of my jewelry with confidence.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Kay Schmidt
Owner, Artisan & Maker
Earth Song Jewelry
Since 2016
My mission is to create handmade jewelry celebrating the shapes and colors found in the natural world using materials and practices that are eco-friendly, sustainable and ethical while giving back to protect our planet.
And, always using hypoallergenic, skin-safe materials so everyone can wear these miniature works of natural art regardless of allergies.
