5 Tips for Buying a Silver Ring for Your Man

Silver is a traditional gift for a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, but there is no reason to wait that long. If you are buying a silver ring for your man - focus on your budget, the type of silver you want, and the ring's setting and design to give him a gift he will treasure for years to come.

Tip 1: Set Your Budget for a Silver Ring

Silver is a precious metal whose overall price is dictated by the market. Generally speaking, the price of silver and gold are linked together, so if gold is high, expect silver to be high too. W



hile silver is not as expensive as gold, it can command premium prices especially if the ring comes from a renowned jewelry producer like Tiffany. Before you start searching, set a budget and stick to it.

Tip 2: Look for Attractive Settings in Silver Rings

A simple silver ring band might be enough for your man, but perhaps you want something a tad fancier. There are plenty of men's rings that come in delightful settings and settings just like women's rings. In fact, even the use of gemstones on men's rings is acceptable. The design of the ring refers to its shape and cut within the metal.



A silver ring with a Celtic band, for example, refers to the ring's design. The setting refers to the gemstones placed within the ring. Precious gems like diamonds and rubies make the ring more valuable, but they also affect its selling price. Remember the first important tip, and choose one that is within your budget.

Tip 3: Know Your Silver

Sterling silver, silver plate, and just plain silver are all common descriptions sellers use when advertising a ring. Know what these words mean in order to help you make the best choice. Silver is an alloy, which means it is often combined with other metals to make jewelry, and sometimes the overall amount of silver in the ring is less than you would think.

Silver Name	Amount of Pure Silver (percent)	Advantages	Drawbacks
Fine Silver	99.9	Highly valuable	Fragile, not intended for everyday jewelry
Sterling Silver	92.5	Valuable and durable	Tarnishes
Argentium Silver	92.5 or higher	Tarnish resistant	More expensive and rarer than sterling
Silver Plate	Varies	Less expensive	Ring only uses a thin plate of silver
German Silver	0	Affordable	Does not contain real silver

The names of silver are sometimes confusing since jewelers often use it to refer to the color instead of the metal. For example, German silver does not contain any real silver metal and its name comes from its silver color.

Tip 4: Antique vs. New Silver Rings

There are plenty of new silver rings on the market but some of the most valuable pieces are antique rings. For example, some collectors like to focus on antique signet rings that come bearing family crests and heraldic symbols.



Certain types of antique silver rings are especially valuable because of the make and style of the piece, according to Judith Miller, an antique appraiser who often appears on the TV show "Antique Roadshow."

Tip 5: Know the Difference Between Tarnish and Patina on Silver

Silver is a metal that naturally changes color as it ages. A well cared for silver ring handled often develops a patina coat, which adds extra luster and color to the metal. It looses its factory shine but in return gains a glow that only comes from age. Tarnish, however, happens with discarded silver left to suffer the blight of the elements. As silver starts to react to sulfur in the air, it begins to tarnish and turn yellow. Eventually this color deepens into black, obscuring the silver shade underneath. Silver rings with patina coats sell at high prices while tarnished pieces are less desirable.



Do not let tarnish on an antique silver ring scare you away from buying the piece. Tarnish easily comes off with silver cleaner. If there is 30 years worth of tarnish built up on the piece, it will take a few polishings but the good news is that once cleaned, the piece is a good as new. Handle the ring frequently and it will start to build up an attractive patina coat instead of tarnish.