有很多客人在購買商品時都會問小編一些話...

「這耳環真的是純銀的嗎？我很容易過敏，所以我買耳環都要是純銀的！」

「聽說銀飾很難保養，我買的平價飾品比較簡單！」

每當聽到這些話，小編都會很有耐心地告訴客人們，其實這些想法都是有陷阱的；既然有那麼多人問，那小編就針對這些問題一一地告訴各位一些正確的觀念。

 

 

過敏體質不會因為身體部位不同而有差異

 

很多人認為自己容易過敏，所以買『耳環』時要特別注意是不是純銀的！

其實，這是一個錯誤的觀念。如果您戴飾品容易過敏，那麼您在購買『任何飾品』時都需要注意是否是純銀(或純金、純白金、純鈦等...)的，差別只是其他部位當發生過敏時您會認為是其他原因而已；而且，要注意它的內容物是否含鎳、鉻、鈷等容易引起過敏甚至是致癌的金屬成份。

小編的弟弟就一次因為腹部紅癢難耐，以為是濕疹作祟而求助皮膚科醫生，不料診斷結果竟是皮膚過敏，而罪魁禍首是一個金屬皮帶扣頭。當時據弟弟向醫生描述這狀況已經三年了！都以為是褲子穿緊而腰部容易悶熱所致！除此之外，甚至包含您在購買眼鏡等任何會與皮膚接觸的商品時，若想選擇金屬材質時都要多加注意的。

 

 

純銀vs合金電鍍飾品保養方法超級比一比

 

很多人認為純銀飾品很難維持光亮，動不動就氧化發黑！還不如買合金電鍍的平價飾品還比較好保養！小編認為，這實在有要好好細說釐清的必要...

 

其實，只要是飾品都要「擦拭」，而不是一回家就卸下不管了。但唯一不同的是擦拭的目的是不同的。簡單來說，銀飾的擦拭僅僅是要去避免空氣中的二氧化硫對銀飾所造成的氧化作用，而這種氧化物(硫化銀)並不會造成身體過敏，只是美觀上的問題罷了(其實小編在另一篇談"銀飾變黑了怎麼辦？"一文中寫得很清楚，在這裡就不再贅述)，而且，依照小編的經驗來說，除非是天生身體的硫成分較高或是住在海邊、溫泉區裡，不然若是長時間配戴的話甚至不需要擦拭，因為身體的油脂會替您保護著銀飾不氧化，而且越戴越亮。如下圖所示，這是刻意去泡硫質溫泉所做的終極測試，您看第一天剛泡完溫泉時整個手鍊與戒指都硫化的近似黑色，經由陸續穿戴後約在3~4週回到銀色狀態(請注意，若無法與皮膚接觸的地方，例如下圖戒指的凹槽處，還是會維持硫化狀態)。透過這個實際的實驗，小編想告訴您一個正確的觀念，若您預期有2週以上的時間不配戴，僅需以中性的清潔劑搓揉後以清水清洗，並用乾棉布擦拭乾淨後放入夾鏈袋存放即可。

 

 

反觀合金電鍍的平價飾品，需要擦拭的原因是要防止酸性的汗液腐蝕電鍍層，造成電鍍層變薄而讓底層的金屬露出而造成皮膚過敏紅腫甚至潰爛，所以合金電鍍飾品反而是「不得不擦拭」保養。而且它還有一個更矛盾的事，就是「不能擦拭」太多次，因為擦拭次數多了電鍍層一旦變薄或擦出傷痕也會造成電鍍層破裂讓底層金屬暴露出來。而且，您可能知道一根頭髮粗細大約是0.08mm左右，但您必須知道的是，這種飾品的電鍍層往往也只有頭髮的1/3粗細而已，因為若是要達到實際應有的0.1~0.25mm厚度，就不是平價飾品可以承受的成本了！所以，這種擦也不是不擦也不是的飾品，真的會比銀飾來的好保養嗎？

 

而且，電鍍的工藝雖說不是罕見的工法，但是您要了解一個事實，便宜的工業電鍍(會有其他重金屬殘留)使用的電鍍液一個飾品可以收您30~50元，但您知道專業的飾品電鍍一件商品收您300~400元還算是很基本的費用喔(就算是電鍍銅也要150~200元)！所以這樣的平價飾品想必是令人擔憂的。

 

 

真”銀”不怕火煉的保值特性

 

在貴金屬市場的交易中，不外乎是黃金、白銀、白金、鈀金四種貴重金屬，它們直接與國際貨幣和局勢有著敏感的牽動關係！這意味著它們無法被撼動的地位—它們代表著錢（價值）！所以，您戴的純銀飾品除了讓您有著美觀的功能之外，還能夠替您保持著它的基本價值！而合金電鍍的平價飾品，就只能是被丟棄的命運了！

還記得電視劇中因為家中缺錢而將家中的金飾銀飾拿去典當嗎？這幾年坊間貴金屬回收的店鋪林立的狀況嗎？那是因為貴金屬透過了一千度左右的高溫熔化後，可以持續地再利用並且無損它的成份，這種真"銀"不怕火煉的特性，我想是合金和電鍍商品遠遠不及的。

 

 

多個「快」字，卻犧牲了我們的環境

 

說到時尚，我想法國與義大利是有著絕對領先的地位；說到品味，我想英國也是無法被屏除在外的國家。但小編在歐洲遊學時，曾經注意到一個有趣的現象！在這些國家，無論是多金的高階白領主管、退休後移居鄉村的年長夫妻，或是剛進大學主修音樂的氣質女學生、才找到人生第一份正職工作的年輕型男...他們都有一個普遍的時尚觀念共通點，就是帶著『理性的品味！』；簡單來說就是「喜歡的東西不求多，而要求精」！在那些精品店林立並垂手可得，又是”在地本土”的世界級知名品牌，理當人人家裏都有不小的衣帽間才是！其實，以小編的”市調結果”卻是剛好相反，他們反而是重視購買精品的時機是否能結合他們值得紀念的人生目標，因為這兩者的加乘所衍生出來的”珍愛感”更勝商品本身的價值，因此而永久收藏。這不禁讓小編想起，讓我最有感的確實是工作後第一年拿的年終獎金所買的名牌包，這樣的具有紀念意義與無限價值啊！

反觀現在流行的「快」時尚，但買的東西都不精！每個幾百塊，但用個2、3個月！倦了又換...但您知道嗎，那些快時尚的平價飾品僅為了便宜、漂亮bling bling又要戴著不過敏而必做的電鍍的這道工序，是極高污染環境所換來的！卻在消費者面前以防敏塗層這樣的行銷話術來美化事實；另外，因為商品的質地不精、做工粗糙！使用壽命勢必很短！這樣經年累月地製造了無數的垃圾！真的是"快"了自己，卻傷了我們珍愛的環境呀！

 

 

 

 

 

What! The truth is…! The battle between silver and electroplated alloy jewelry

by mittag jewelry

 

Many guests asked us when buying products...

"Is this earring really sterling silver? I am very susceptible to allergies, so I have to buy sterling silver earrings!"

"I heard that silver jewelry is difficult to maintain, and the alloy jewelry is relatively simple!"

Whenever I heard, I would patiently explain to the guests, these ideas are biased; since there are so many people curious, we’d like share some ideas.

 

 

Allergies applies to all body different parts

 

Many people think that they are allergic to alloy, so pay special attention to whether it is sterling silver when buying "earrings".

In fact, this is an incorrect concept, you should pay attention to “all accessories” If you are allergic, whether it is pure silver (or pure gold, pure white gold, pure titanium, etc.). The difference is that other body parts allergic are easily considered to be other reasons; moreover, pay attention to whether its contents contain nickel, chromium, cobalt and other metal components that are allergic or even carcinogenic.

 

My younger brother was once having abdominal itching, thought it was eczema and asked for a dermatologist. Unexpectedly, the diagnosis was actually skin allergies, and the culprit was a metal belt buckle. My younger brother has this situation for three years, but we thought it was because the pants were tight so made waist eczema! In addition, when you are choosing any metal accessories, such as glasses, you should pay more attention to the choice of metal materials. 

 

 

Pure silver vs. alloy plating jewelry maintenance method comparisons

 

Many people think that it is difficult to maintain the brightness of sterling silver jewelry because it will oxidize and blacken! It is better to buy alloy plating jewelry for better maintenance! We believe that this is really necessary to clarify...

In fact, all the jewelry needed to be "wiped" after wearing. But the only difference is that the purpose of wiping. The wiping of silver is only to avoid the oxidation of sulfur in the air, and this oxide (silver sulfide) does not cause physical allergies, but it is an aesthetic problem. (In our other article, "What if the silver jewelry is oxidized?" is clearly written in the article, and will not be repeated here.) Moreover, according to the experiences, unless the natural body has a high sulfur content or living in the seaside, hot spring area. If you wear it for a long time, you don't even need to wipe it, because the body's oil will protect the silver jewelry from oxidation. As shown in the figure below, this is the ultimate test done to deliberately immerse in the hot springs. You see that the entire bracelet and ring are vulcanized in the same black color just after the first day taking hot springs. After wearing them, they will be returned to silver state in about 3~4 weeks. (please note that if it is not directly contact with the skin, such as the groove of the ring below, it will remain vulcanized). Through this practical experiment, we like to share a concept, if you expect not to wear it for more than 2 weeks, just use a neutral detergent and rinse with water and wipe it with a dry cotton cloth. Put it in a zipper bag and store it.

 

 

On the other hand, the reason why the alloy plating jewelry needs to be wiped is to prevent the acidic sweat from corroding the plating layer, causing the plating layer to become thin and the underlying metal to be exposed to cause skin irritation, redness and even ulceration. Therefore, the alloy plating jewelry is “had to be wiped”. And it has a more contradiction, that is, "cannot wipe" too many times, because of too many wiping times causing plating become too thin, and once the plating layer is thinned or scratched, the plating layer will be broken and the underlying metal will be exposed. Moreover, you may know that the thickness of a hair is about 0.08mm, but you must know that the plating layer of the jewelry is often only 1/3 of the thickness of the hair. If it is to achieve 0.1~0.25mm thickness, the cost will not be affordable! Therefore, is plating jewelry really easier to maintain than silver?

 

Moreover, although the electroplating process is not a rare method, you need to understand the fact that cheap industrial plating (there will be other heavy metal residues) using a plating solution costs US$1~1.6, but a very basic professional jewelry plating costs US$10~13 for a product (even US$5~6.6 for electroplating copper)!

 

 

 

True "silver" has its preservation characteristics

 

In the trading of precious metals market, it is nothing more than gold, silver, platinum, palladium, which are directly related to the international currency situation! This means that they cannot be incited – they represent money (value)! Therefore, in addition to its beautiful functions, the sterling silver jewelry you wear can maintain its basic value for you! But, the alloy plating jewelry can only be the fate of being discarded!
Remember the TV series where the gold ornaments were taken to the mortgage because of lacking money? In the past few years, booming many precious metals recycling shops in the market. That is because the precious metal can be continuously reused without damaging its composition after being melted at a high temperature of about a thousand degrees. It is far worthy collecting from the alloy and electroplating products.

 

 

A word of "fast" fashion, it’s at the expense of our environment

 

When it comes to fashion, that the country France and Italy have their absolute leading position; when it comes to taste, Britain is also a country that cannot be screened out. But I once noticed an interesting phenomenon when studying in Europe. In these countries, whether it is the white-collar director, or the elder couple who moved to the countryside after retirement, or the female student who just entered the university majoring in music, or younger male who found the first professional job in life... They all have a common point of fashion, that is, with a "rational taste!" They don't want many fancy things, but pursue exquisite! In those boutiques that are well-established and readily available, and world-class brands that are "locally local", it is reasonable to have a cloakroom in everyone's home! In fact, the result of my personal "market observing" is just the opposite. Instead, they pay attention to whether the timing of buying a boutique can combine with their memorable moments in life, because the "cherished feeling" from the combination of the two is more valuable than the goods themselves.

 

On the other hand, the "fast" fashion is now popular, but the products you buy are with very short life! Paid a few hundred bucks, and use only 2, 3 months! But do you know, those fast fashion accessories are for the purpose of cheap, good looking and shining, and the process of electroplating that is must be done to avoid allergy. It is highly polluted environment! However, in front of consumers, they use “anti-allergic” coatings to beautify the facts; in addition, because the quality of the goods is rough workmanship, the service life is bound to be very short! This has produced countless rubbish over the years! It’s "fast" fashion speed, but it hurts  our cherished environment!