Argentium is a special type of sterling silver with more silver content (93%), less copper content, and 1/2% Germanium. Germanium is a rare earth metal that provides a CLEAR layer of oxidation on the silver. This means your silver is hard and strong like sterling (as opposed to fine silver) but does not 'tarnish.' Or, if it does tarnish it takes a very long time to occur. I've had samples sitting in the open air of my coastal atelier for over 6 months with zero hint of ta