| Your first piece of sterling silver jewelry might | | | | Once on a tour through the Smithsonian Natural |
| have been a small charm presented as a gift by | | | | History Museum in Washington D.C., I insisted my |
| one of your parents many years ago. What a | | | | husband and I pass through the precious metal |
| treasure that would have been, carefully fastened | | | | and gems section. It was an eye-opener! |
| to your bracelet, or worn upon a chain as a | | | | Gemstones of every type in their natural and |
| necklace. Perhaps it represented some special | | | | surprisingly mathematically cubes, growing upward, |
| event, or never to be forgotten place you once | | | | majestically and alien. The Hope Diamond was on |
| visited. Or even a beloved pet. | | | | display in its oversized glory, and polished gems of |
| Jewelry is symbolic of those things we love the | | | | every type imaginable enticed behind large glass |
| most. It may be represented by an original piece | | | | walls. But what really struck me was the display |
| of.925 jewelry, handcrafted by an artist. Perhaps | | | | of silver. |
| you even met the artist yourself, or | | | | Raw, coarse and distinctively not beautiful, this |
| commissioned a pendant from him or her. | | | | unworked and unfinished metal was not appealing. |
| Whatever the significance you attach to your | | | | (Except, of course to someone like me, who is |
| sterling silver accessories, they are items that are | | | | deeply involved in it as my livelihood!) |
| probably treasured, and that you plan to pass | | | | What did our ancestors see in it? Did someone |
| down to future generations. Many people in this | | | | accidentally rub it, discovering beneath the |
| current economy are even opting for silver rings | | | | sulfur-tarnished surface a beauty reminiscent of |
| in lieu of gold wedding bands. | | | | our nearest planetary body? I love to mentally |
| Was it always this way? Judging from the number | | | | create brief reenactments of that first meeting |
| of sterling adornments discovered and now | | | | of man and metal. And how did it proceed from |
| displayed in museums across the globe, I would | | | | this point to the melting and reforming of silver |
| have to say so. Of course gold will always reign | | | | into usable articles and eventually jewelry? |
| supreme, but there are those who actually prefer | | | | If you ask me, that person had to be an artist. |
| silver as their precious metal of choice, and not | | | | Who else could envision the transformation of |
| just because of the difference in cost. | | | | blackened metal into a gleaming cup, a carefully |
| Have you heard the comparison of sterling to the | | | | carved piece of silverware or a piece of jewelry? |
| moon, and gold to the sun? I love the poetry of | | | | Of course the early efforts could not have been |
| this analogy, and couldn't agree more. With its | | | | this sophisticated; perhaps our beginning artisan |
| unearthly shine, (especially after a good polish) | | | | crafted beads to be strung or attempted to |
| your accessories in this metal will have a look that | | | | make a weapon before discovering that silver |
| reflects the moon on a river at night. So perhaps | | | | was too soft for this use. |
| sterling silver is also the most romantic metal! | | | | To this forgotten artist of the past - I salute you! |