Reasons Why Sterling Silver Jewellery Became So Popular In The Fashion Industry

Silver sells much more than gold or any other precious metals. In fact, reports confirm that most consumer posses more silver jewellery rather than gold. Though gold is much more sought after metal than silver, yet the latter is extremely popular due to its uniqueness and affordability. An insight into how the metal was transformed into jewellery much valued will definitely provide the basis of its popularity in the industry.

The history of silver dates back to the 16th century when the people of Spain discovered huge amounts of silver in the mines of Mexico, Peru and Bolivia. Soon after the metal started to enter into the markets in Europe and found popularity due to its affordability. The Royalty or even the commoner found the metal an exquisite collection to posses which was also extremely inexpensive. Even though silver is a low cost metal yet its usage was restricted more to objects of functional value with just small amounts incorporated for jewellery making.

It was until the 19th century when silver got much recognition in the industry. During this time the industrial revolution took place which had a great impact on silver. Hence, the metal became inexpensive and easily available to a huge mass of people. By using the technology of Electroplating, enormous amounts of low cost machine manufactured products plated with silver engulfed, the entire industry. This essentially brought in much lower quality jewellery for men and women out in the market.

It was only during the reign of Queen Victoria, did handmade silver jewellery become quite popular. The Queen posses exquisite collection of stunning sterling silver jewellery like sterling silver rings, sterling silver earrings, beautiful bracelets and elegant necklaces most of which was given to her by Albert. She insisted on human made elegant pieces of silver jewellery and rejected the ones made from machine. During this time from 1850 till the end of the century, silver reached its true value with more and more craftsmen carving skillfully designed handmade sterling silver jewellery for the majesty. These designer ornaments found great popularity among the noblemen, wealthy and rich. Now silver became a highly prized metal, much more inexpensive than gold.

In the 20th century, the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements declared silver as the metal of their choice. But silver jewellery became a valued metal instantly only with the contribution of the silversmiths of that time. The pieces of sterling silver jewellery that they designed were much more fine and unique with the texture more clean and smooth. People now started to look at sterling silver jewellery as preferred alternative to other precious metals such as Gold.

At the advent of 1910 came a revolution in the market for sterling silver jewellery with the arrival of a Danish firm established by George Jensen. Jenson put up silver jewellery design workshops and then went on to open several retail stores in some of the major cities of the world like London, Stockholm, Paris, Copenhagen and New York. The stores displayed some of the most fabulous collection of sterling silver pieces of jewellery which became much sought after by customers. The beautifully crafter jewellery created quite a stir in the fashion industry with the metal obtaining similar to gold.

Jenson however not only produced clean and beautiful pieces of sterling silver jewellery but displayed a collection of such pieces put together. He was the very first person to present a series of collection of such sterling silver jewellery. Jenson then continued to release more and more exclusive collection of jewellery which was much preferred by clients. It was with this line did consumers develop brand loyalty which happens to continue till today with immense number of brands having entered into the industry. This is the same concept that is being followed by luxury jewellery brands in the line in the modern as well as ethnic industry of silver jewellery .

Huge deposits of the precious metal were then unveiled in the Utah, Nevada and Colorado later on which decreased the value of this amazing metal in the market. Silver now became affordable which however encouraged more jewellery designers to emerge in the US. From 1870 till 1920, silver was not only ruling the entire fashion industry but found itself in the form of silver cutlery in the crockery and cutlery industry also. The affluent now used elegantly designed silver cutlery for their meals. Although this practice is not adopted for daily usage, even today many wealthy families incorporate the usage of such fine cutlery pieces for special occasions.

United States is regarded as the major provider of silver in the world since most of the mines comprising of the precious metal lies in the nation. But Taxco in Mexico remains as the pioneer of the silver jewellery industry, ever since 1940. Silver jewellery reaches its full swing only when expert American architect, William Spratling, who is the major force behind the silver industry in Taxco. It was during this time under the guidance of Spratling did most of the talented jewellery designers emerged in Mexico.

At present, there are immense jewellery designers all over the world who posses incredible silver jewellery carving skills, yet there are just few of these designers who actually strive to present the best designs in contemporary silver jewellery designing.

The industry for silver jewellery is renowned for the exquisite craftsmanship and the skills in jewellery making. These pieces of silver jewellery are often encrusted with precious stones to provide an excellent elegance of this glorious metal.

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