I’ve always loved jewelry, especially pieces that sparkle. I recently started thinking about creating a custom diamond pendant for myself, and naturally, my first thought was silver. It's affordable and has a beautiful shine. However, when I started talking to jewelers, I kept hearing the same thing: setting a diamond in silver isn't the best idea. I was confused. Why not? Silver is pretty, right? So, I decided to dig a little deeper and understand why diamonds and silver aren't always the perfect match.
I was puzzled. I mean, I knew silver was less expensive than gold or platinum, but I figured that just meant it was less rare. I didn't understand why it wouldn't be suitable for expensive stones like diamonds. I trusted the jewelers, of course, but I wanted to understand the why behind their recommendations. Was it just about the cost, or was there something more to it?
The main reasons jewelers gave me were that silver is cheap, tarnishes quickly, and is soft. I learned that because silver is so soft, the prongs that hold the diamond in place can bend easily. This means there's a higher risk of losing the stone. That was a major concern for me! I definitely didn’t want to lose a precious diamond. This is especially true if you're considering a larger diamond. A ring with a large diamond set in silver might need frequent repairs, and I prefer jewelry that needs less upkeep.
I also discovered that metals have something called Vickers hardness. This measures how resistant a metal is to indentation. Silver, even when alloyed with other metals to make it stronger, is still relatively soft. This means it's more prone to scratches, dents, and bending, which isn't ideal for holding a valuable diamond securely. You can find charts online that compare the hardness of different precious metals.
Interestingly, I found out that diamonds were sometimes set in silver in the past, often combined with gold. This was common in antique rings. The belief at the time was that the silver setting made the diamonds sparkle more. I even saw a beautiful 18k Japanese piece with diamonds set in silver – it was stunning! However, knowing the issues with silver, I understand why this isn't as common today.
So, what's the takeaway? Setting diamonds in silver is possible, but it's not always practical, especially for pieces you want to last a lifetime. If you choose to set a diamond in silver, be prepared for more frequent maintenance and the possibility of needing to replace the setting or even the stone if it gets lost.
Instead, I decided to explore other options. I'm now leaning towards white gold or platinum for my diamond pendant. These metals are much more durable and will hold the diamond securely for years to come. They also have a beautiful shine that complements the diamond perfectly.
Here are some things I learned about different metals that might help you when choosing jewelry: