In 1996 at the Peter Johns of Middlesex University, Argentium sterling silver was discovered. The university since then possesses the entire patent and licenses its manufacture globally. This is truly sterling silver because it is known to contain about 92.5 percent of untainted silver and this makes it very vital to those men and women who are jewelers and love using sterling silver. Contrary to the fact that the usual sterling silver discolors, argentium is different and do not need extra polishing from time to time. The users are only required to sporadically rinse it with a spongy piece of cotton cloth to keep it very sparkly. This is one of the brighter sides of argentium sterling silver.

A crystalline partly metallic element existing naturally in small quantities in silver, zinc and copper ores called germanium describes why argentium sterling silver does not discolor. Experts state that it creates an undetectable film on the surface of silver alloy that blocks oxygen from reaching metals that can discolor. This comprise of copper that is normally used to solidify untainted silver. 
Argentium sterling silver is also useful to the artisans who replicate sterling silver but they should embrace the fact that this and the traditional silver have got varying melting points. However, if it is only used as a wire to make their jewelry the difference is zero or insignificant. The only strong points to note is that it is never fit for polishing and if the owner uses contaminated cloth to do this, it may ruin the main advantage of argentium sterling silver of not discoloring. This new type of sterling silver is also hard enough to remain scratch or dent free, lovely, and can go for years looking as though the owners bought it recently. Additionally to the already good news is that it does not cost more that the usual sterling silver many people opt for their jewelry.