What Is .999 Silver?
Silver is a precious metal that has been used for centuries in jewelry, coins, dentistry, photography, technology, and many other uses.There are different grades of silver, and these grades are determined based on the percentage of silver they contain. One of the most sought-after grades of silver is .999 fine silver. Keep reading to find out more about what .999 silver is, how this grade is determined, and what makes it precious.
What Are the Grades of Silver?
Most silver products you see are silver alloys. This means they contain a mixture of two or more elements from the periodic table, one of which is silver. This is because pure silver is soft and malleable, and adding harder metals can make it stronger. The different grades of silver are defined by the type and amount of other metal used in the silver alloy. It’s currently impossible to produce 100 percent pure silver, so .999 silver, referred to as “three nines fine,” is accepted as fine or pure silver. It contains insignificant quantities of trace elements. One of the most common grades of silver is .925, which is called sterling silver and is often used in jewelry. The remaining 7.5 percent of sterling silver is usually copper or nickel. Other common grades of silver range from .960 down to .750.
How Is .999 Silver Determined?
When you purchase a silver product, it will come with a mark that labels its grade. There are a few different purity tests that can determine whether it is pure .999 silver or a lesser grade. For example, the acid test can show whether an item is fine silver. If placed in acid and the acid color changes, the silver has a purity below .925. In a lab, x-ray testing can provide reasonably accurate results to determine the grade of silver. However, the best and most reliable test is also the most destructive. A professional in a lab can melt the silver down, and that will determine the type and amount of alloying elements it contains.
How Is Silver Refined?
Silver is a metal that is found in nature, and it is never 100 percent pure. When it is extracted from the earth, it is mixed in ores that contain other elements. To extract the silver from the ores, they undergo a series of refining processes. There are several methods to refine silver, including pyrometallurgical and electrochemical processes. Pyrometallurgical methods use heat and smelting to extract and concentrate silver. The steps include calcination, oxidation roasting, cupellation, reactive gas refining, and fusion melting. Electrochemical methods use an electric current, silver anode, and low-acidity electrolyte to deposit pure silver crystals on a silver cathode. Unrefined silver is cast as an anode which is processed in the refining cell. If managed with care, electrolysis can produce high-quality silver.
.999 Fine Silver Gift Items from Treehouse Silver
Now you know more about what .999 silver is and how it differs from other types of silver. Here at Treehouse Silver, we manufacture and sell wholesale products that exclusively contain .999 silver as well as 24 karat gold and pure copper. We sell these fine metals in glass vials, bulbs, and necklaces that make precious gifts for loved ones. These products are of world-class value and unparalleled quality. Take a look at our selection of wholesale silver and gold gifts today.