Silver throughout the centuries
Silver is one of the most used materials for the making of jewelry. It’s a precious metal, appreciated for its of a white metallic luster color, goes well with all the colors of stone and is worn easily.
It is believed that the first silver extractions took place around 3000 BC in Anatolia, a region of present-day Turkey. They contribute to the economic development of the civilizations of the Middle East and the Hellenistic world.
Greece is indeed one of the first centers for production of silver, mainly extracted from the mines of the city of Lavrio during the second millennium BC. The Iberian provinces of the Roman Empire replaced it during the 2nd century BC. The European economic boom and the increase in the production of money go hand in hand throughout the centuries, for example with the establishment of silver mining in the four corners of the world in the 16th and 17th centuries, especially within the Spanish empire.
Nowadays, following the advances in new techniques and technologies, annual world production is estimated at 23,000 tons, half of which comes from Mexico, Peru and China alone.
History of our workshop
Our workshop is located on rue des Gravilliers in the heart of the Marais, Paris. A busy historical district of the capital, it is home to some patrimonial treasures, world- renowned museums and several fashion boutiques.
Our jewelry workshop dates back to the 19th century, possessing a polishing tower going back to 1890, which is still in working order. It was used to work silver like gold until the 1990s. Since then we have only been using one of these metals, in one of the last Parisian jewelry workshops.
Tips for cleaning and keeping your silver jewelry
Silver jewelry transcends generations without ever going out of fashion. Where gold wanes, silver jewelry follows us throughout our life. Sterling silver can slightly darken when in contact with air and moisture. So you have to bring back the bright color of the jewelry from time to time.
To do this you can gently rub your jewelry with toothpaste (the cheapest you can find) and water. Then dry your jewelry with a clean cloth or a chamoisine, recommended for polishing silver.
Friction is the worst enemy of jewelry, try not to store them in any old way in your jewelry box. Opt for cloth pouches, jewelry cases or boxes. Store them in a dry place, like your room for example and avoid leaving them in your bathroom.