Hermes new silver material with star?

Mr. Carre

Member
Apr 15, 2009
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I was looking at some watches and some were made with a new material called "Silver (a star)". It was described as a silver alloy with a high resistance to tarnishing.
Is anyone familiar with this new material?
 
There's a sterling silver, which has a higher purity level than regular .925 sterling called Argentium, in which some of the copper content is replaced by Germanium to increase tarnish resistance. Maybe it's that, and they're putting their marketing spin on it. Argentium is usually .935 or .960 silver. It's produced using recycled silver. It should be hallmarked "as".

I hope the Hermes silver is actually sterling, not like Tiffany's rubedo, which was marketed as a new "metal", when it's really just an alloy, the content of which is only about 7 karat gold.
 
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There's a sterling silver, which has a higher purity level than regular .925 sterling called Argentium, in which some of the copper content is replaced by Germanium to increase tarnish resistance. Maybe it's that, and they're putting their marketing spin on it. Argentium is usually .935 or .960 silver. It's produced using recycled silver. It should be hallmarked "as".

I hope the Hermes silver is actually sterling, not like Tiffany's rubedo, which was marketed as a new "metal", when it's really just an alloy, the content of which is only about 7 karat gold.

That's what I thought, but, upon inspection, the watches are marked "Ag925", which would be sterling standard.
 
In this new alloy (originally used for Tonneau and Cape Cod Nantucket), the copper has been removed and replaced with a mixture of silver and secret ingredients. It is baptized Silver 970+, since it is pure silver up to 97%, and has been designed to ensure that silver retains its luster and brightness.
 
In this new alloy (originally used for Tonneau and Cape Cod Nantucket), the copper has been removed and replaced with a mixture of silver and secret ingredients. It is baptized Silver 970+, since it is pure silver up to 97%, and has been designed to ensure that silver retains its luster and brightness.

Yes, this. The French SA who specialises in silver at my store said this, and that some of their pieces, I think the Chaine d'Anchre 24 series, is "plated in pure silver and won't tarnish" like regular sterling silver. I've worn my TGM pendant (the one on the leather necklace) everyday for 2 months practically and it seems to be true. I can't seem to copy and paste pictures but here is the link:
http://usa.hermes.com/jewelry/silver-jewelry/pendants/sizeless-slice-h114305b-01-60878.html
 
Yes, this. The French SA who specialises in silver at my store said this, and that some of their pieces, I think the Chaine d'Anchre 24 series, is "plated in pure silver and won't tarnish" like regular sterling silver. I've worn my TGM pendant (the one on the leather necklace) everyday for 2 months practically and it seems to be true. I can't seem to copy and paste pictures but here is the link:
http://usa.hermes.com/jewelry/silver-jewelry/pendants/sizeless-slice-h114305b-01-60878.html

How awesome! Thanks for the info.
 
When I was last in my boutique, I was looking at watches. I was able to see a stainless steel case (a PM Cape Cod) right next to the new sterling case (a tonneau Cape Cod). As would be expected the sterling silver case has a warmer hue, and the stainless looks cooler in comparison. I like stainless for durability in a watch case, but do prefer the warmth and beauty of sterling. I've been contemplating a Nantucket or a PM Cape Cod, so am looking forward to seeing both in silver. With the switch to the silver case, my SA thought the face of the PM Cape Cod might be changing a bit (with the possible addition of a pattern in the center). Currently on US H.com, in the Cape Cod section, there seems to be a mix of both the stainless and silver cases available. A bit of info regarding the new alloy, can be found there. My SA didn't have a lot of details yet, but did note that this new silver alloy is expected to tarnish less.
 
This subject piqued my curiosity and I found this information:

http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-80379214/

From the LA Times, Sept. 6, 2014:

"Novelty in the watch world usually falls into two camps. The most ambitious -- and hardest to understand -- is tweaking what's under the hood (so to speak), pushing the timekeeping technological envelope by adding more and more complications (each "complication" is an additional function).

Easier to understand are the cosmetic tweaks -- fabrication, silhouette and the design and color of the watch face, hands and strap. The watch-making arm of Maison Hermes has a couple of elegantly subtle entries in this latter category that we had the opportunity to see first hand at the recent JCK Swiss Watch show in Las Vegas.


First, for 2014, Hermes has debuted a new silver alloy for some of its women's watches that it says is resistant to tarnish. Dubbed Silver Star, the 97% pure silver alloy is exclusive to Hermes for the next couple of years according to brand representatives. While the company won't say what metals comprise the other 3%, we're told it doesn't include copper -- which is apparently the tarnish-causing culprit in traditional alloys.

The new alloy is currently being used in watch cases for the label's Cape Cod Tonneau (barrel-shaped) and Nantucket (rectangular) timepieces at retail, and the back of the watch cases are stamped with a silver star to reflect the new blend of precious metals.

Another of Hermes' new novelties toys with convention by stripping back instead of adding on and dispensing with the hour hand. Technically its artfully concealed behind the minute hand on the face of its Dressage L'heure masquee, ""time veiled") timepiece, and can be displayed at the push of a button opposite the crown. (The same push also displays a second time zone in a small window above the 6'oclock position.)

In a world where the time is on ubiquitous display, a wristwatch that allows the wearer to escape the march of hours - if even for a brief moment -- might just be the greatest luxury of all."
 
That's really neat! I've been shying away from H silver and other brands. It's a beautiful metal but I just can't keep up with the tarnish. I hope they expand the use of this Silver Star to their silver jewelry line. Oh boy, that may not be good for my purse string. ;)
 
emm, interesting. i was in the boutique last thursday to buy my silver chaine d'ancre necklace, and then i tried on other bracelets while i was there. the SA was saying all the greatness of H silver jewelry during the whole process, including: 1) H silver has same craftsmanship with the H gold fine jewelry, 2) added a layer of pure silver for every piece to add tarnish resistance and shine. that's what i've heard, and i am not sure if it's true, sometimes Hermes SAs have inconsisitant sayings.