Long Necklace with Eye
Women’s silver necklaces
The adornment of women with silver jewelry is not only found in modern times. One of the first metals used by man to make jewelry was silver. It has been known since prehistoric times (5th millennium BC) to the peoples living in Greece, Egypt, Mesopotamia and the Middle East. At times, silver was considered even more valuable than gold for making jewelry and objects.
Necklaces in antiquity
The ancient Greeks and Egyptians were famous for their silver jewelry. They made necklaces (like other jewelry) with a technique called filigree because they wanted them to fit perfectly on the body. Essentially they were handmade jewelry made of wires. Egyptian priests also wore elaborate necklaces that were believed to associate them with spirituality and Gods.
The evolution in silver jewelry
During classical times, social classification could be defined by jewelry. Only the people of high society could buy jewelry made of gold or silver, decorated with precious stones and diamonds. However, with the development of jewelry making and silver processing, this changed. Cheaper handmade women’s and men’s silver jewelry began to be produced and thus they became available to the middle class as well.
Impressive silver necklaces
During the Victorian era there was a large production of silver jewelry. Women’s and men’s silver necklaces with small or large stones, carved, large or smaller in size. This increased the interest in silver jewelry. The most popular patterns for silver chains were inspired by the plant and animal world.
Since the middle class people already had access to them, the nobles needed to have more impressive and special jewelry. So impressive and intricate necklaces were created from silver with precious stones and exceptional chains.
Silver necklaces as amulets
In addition to their use as jewelry, necklaces with a chain made of gold or silver in medieval times, were also used as amulets against evil and were considered to bring good luck to the wearer. Most amulet necklaces had a long chain so to be close to the heart and were adorned with precious stones. It was believed that gemstones had protective and beneficial properties.
Necklaces as seals
Seal stones are stones on which are engraved representations with symbols or letters and were used to seal documents or letters. They had a hole in the top so that a string (and later a chain) could pass an then they hanged around the neck. Over the years they were worn as elaborate jewelry and as amulets.
Silver chain and its durability
A 925 silver chain is more durable than a gold chain, as 925 silver is harder metal than gold. This practically means that a 925 silver chain of the same thickness as a gold chain is harder to strech and broke. There are many different types of silver chains on the market, from the simplest to the most elaborate.
Silver 925
When we say “silver 925” it means that silver is composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. This gives it a hardness so it is more durable, as pure silver is almost as soft as gold.
The shades on the silver necklaces
925 silver can be found in its natural shade where it has a silver color or can be rhodium plated and to have a dark gray or black shade. By the term rhodium plated we mean the coating of the silver object with rhodium. Rhodium is a precious metal and belongs to the platinum category. 925 silver can also be painted with enamel and to have different shades. Enamel is a thin layer of powdered glass that is spread over silver. In this way very beautiful colored necklaces can be created.
Gold plated techniques
Also, 925 silver can be gold plated with various techniques and has a yellow or pink color. With the term gold plated we call the thin layer of gold that is passed over the 925 silver. There is a special gold plated technique which is done only on the 925 silver and is called vermeil. Using this technique, the gold on the silver does not wear out easily, unlike simple gold plated technique. This way we have jewelry made of 925 silver, which looks like gold jewelry, but is more affordable.
Discover our women’s silver necklaces collection
Women’s necklaces classic or modern, gold plated, with chain, precious / semi-precious stones or pearls.