Short version: men's jewelry gets worn hard: every day, at the gym, in the shower, often for years. Sterling darkens and plated pieces wear through. Argentium silver resists tarnish, needs no plating, and can be hardened so heavier chains and rings hold their shape. It is the silver that suits how men actually wear jewelry.
How men actually wear jewelry
Most men who wear jewelry do not rotate a drawer full of it. They pick one chain, one ring, maybe a bracelet, and wear them every day, through the shower, the gym and sleep, for years. A piece has to cope with sweat, knocks and almost no care.
That is hard on silver. Sterling darkens with sweat and humidity. Plated silver looks good in the shop, then wears through on the edges of a pendant or the inside of a ring, and turns two-tone.
Why Argentium suits it
It stays bright. Germanium in the alloy forms a thin invisible layer that slows tarnish far more than sterling. A chain worn daily needs a wipe now and then rather than regular polishing.
Nothing to wear off. Argentium needs no rhodium plating. The colour goes all the way through, so years of wear do not reveal a different metal underneath.
It holds its shape. Argentium can be heat hardened after it is made, which helps heavier chains, signet rings and bands resist dents and stretching.
It is more silver. Argentium 960 is 96 per cent silver, against 92.5 for sterling.
What works best
| Piece | Why it suits Argentium |
|---|---|
| Chains, curb and box, 5 mm and wider | Worn every day against skin, so tarnish resistance matters most |
| Signet rings and plain bands | Hardened metal resists knocks, and there is no plating to wear inside |
| Bar, tag and pendant necklaces | Flat surfaces stay bright and can be engraved |
| Cuffs and bracelets | Take sweat and contact with watches and desks |
| Rings with a single stone | Lab-grown diamond or moissanite held in hardened prongs |
Weight and price
Men's pieces are heavier, so the silver weight drives the price more than with women's jewelry. A wide curb chain can weigh several times a fine one. We price on the finished weight, so you see exactly what you pay for, and every quote shows the weight before anything is made.
If you are in the US, UK, Australia or Europe, our import duty calculator shows the landed cost in your country, with duty and tax included.
Made to order
Every piece is made to order at our workshop in Jaipur, in your size, length and finish. That suits men's jewelry well, since chain length and ring size matter more than with most pieces. Send us a photo of something you like, or describe what you want, and we will tell you the weight and the price.
Frequently asked questions
Is Argentium silver good for men's jewelry?
Yes. Men usually wear a few pieces every day without taking them off, and Argentium resists tarnish from sweat and humidity far better than sterling. It needs no plating, so nothing wears through, and it can be hardened so heavier chains and rings keep their shape.
Does Argentium silver tarnish from sweat?
It resists tarnish much better than sterling, including from sweat, though no silver is completely tarnish-proof. A quick wipe with a soft cloth keeps it bright.
Is Argentium stronger than sterling silver?
It can be heat hardened after it is made, which makes chains, signet rings and bands more resistant to dents and stretching than ordinary sterling.
What chain width suits men?
Most men choose chains from about 5 mm upwards. We make chains at 5 mm and wider in Argentium, priced on their finished weight.
Can I order a single piece?
Yes. Every piece is made to order, so you can order one chain or ring in your size, delivered to the US, UK and elsewhere, with duty included in the price.
Want a piece made for you?
Send us a photo or a description, with your size or chain length. We will tell you the weight and the price in Argentium 960, delivered to your country with duty included.
Sources
General information. Results depend on climate, skin chemistry and care.