History of Sterling Silver Chains
The history of sterling silver jewelry chains is a long and storied one that dates back many centuries. Sterling silver, which is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, has been used for jewelry-making for thousands of years.
In ancient times, silver was highly prized for its beauty and rarity, and was often used to make jewelry and other decorative objects. The ancient Greeks and Romans, for example, created intricate silver jewelry using techniques such as filigree and granulation. These techniques involved creating delicate designs by twisting and weaving thin silver wires together, or by fusing small silver beads to a surface.
During the Middle Ages, sterling silver became even more popular for jewelry-making, particularly in Europe. The rise of the guild system in the 12th century brought about a standardization of silver quality and production, ensuring that silver items made by different craftsmen were of a consistent quality. Silver chains were a popular item of jewelry during this time, often worn as a symbol of wealth and status.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, advances in technology led to the mass production of sterling silver chains. The industrial revolution allowed for the creation of intricate chain designs on a large scale, and many new styles of chains were developed, including the classic cable chain and the curb chain.
Today, sterling silver chains remain a popular item of jewelry, worn by people all over the world. They come in a variety of styles and designs, from delicate and understated to bold and eye-catching, and are often used to complement a wide range of outfits and accessories.
Since 1967 Garlan has been one of the leading manufacturers of sterling silver jewelry chains and findings sold wholesale in bulk by the foot or assembled to your specifications. Sterling silver chains are one of the most popular materials that we offer. Almost all of the items we manufacture in sterling silver can also be done in gold filled.
Sterling Silver Fun Facts!
- Silver was one of the first 5 metals discovered on the planet.
- Silver is incredibly conductive. Even more conductive than copper.
- Silver has long been used for medicinal purposes due to its antibacterial properties.
- Polished silver is 95% reflective.
- Interestingly, silver is one of the words in the English language that has no other words that rhyme with it.
- Sterling silver has a density of 10.3 g/cm3.
