Except perhaps for its somewhat more precious and costly cousin gold, is there a substance known to humankind that has evoked more positive feelings and images for more years than does silver? Since the days of the Spanish conquistadors, explorers and armies have sailed the world seeking new sources of this white, lustrous metal. Its name has been a part of the English language for centuries – people talk about the “silver lining” hiding inside every cloud, and each Christmas season they sing along with the old familiar carol “Silver Bells”. A child born into wealth is said to have arrived on earth with a silver spoon in his or her mouth.

As with gold, silver is prized for its many practical applications in industry, medicine and even clothing, but its best-known and most popular use is of course for decorative items, including all forms of jewelry for women and men. Master silversmiths and jewelry makers from around the world create works of art for both men and women that can be worn with just about every style or color imaginable. Silver bracelets and bangles are a perennial favorite to own as well as to give or receive as gifts for special occasions, or for no occasion at all.

In the United States, and indeed around the world, the name Tiffany and Company of New York City is probably more closely associated than any other with beautifully crafted, quality fine silver jewelry. Indeed, the Tiffany name has become so close to synonymous with fine silver artisanship that a number of the company’s current pieces sport the company’s name as prominently as that of any fashion designer’s logo on a high quality handbag or suitcase. The “Return to Tiffany” woman’s bracelet (Tiffany website price $275) consists of lengths of sterling silver chain on either side of a medallion bearing the Tiffany hallmark. The company’s distinctive “lock” motif is also incorporated into several sterling silver bracelets and bangles – some combined with 18k gold accents – at manufacturer’s website prices ranging from under $200 to nearly $2,000.

The House of Candela was founded in the 1930s by three brothers from the city of Valencia, Spain and has built and enviable reputation for both style and craftsmanship. Since 2004, many items in its Andrea Candela collections incorporate the company’s signature gold rope edge and “armadillo” texture. Its “Blanco y Negro” collection incorporates colored and white diamonds into settings of sterling silver, some with 18k gold, while several bracelets and bangles in the “Trebol” collection incorporate semi-precious stones such as topaz, amethyst and citrine.

David Yurman of New York City unveiled his first collection in 1980. More than thirty years later, he has become recognized as one of America’s premier designers of sterling silver and gold jewelry and fine Swiss-made timepieces. His designs are often sported by members of the Hollywood and fashion elites at red carpet events nationwide. A particularly noteworthy example of Yurman’s work is a sterling silver pave diamond woven cuff bracelet, which caries a retail price of around $6,000.

The “Under the Sea” collection from Belle Etoile (French for “Beautiful Star”) is perfect for the woman who prefers a more unusual and contemporary style. It includes an eye-catching rhodium-plated sterling silver bangle finished in bright Italian enamel and studded with multi-colored cubic zirconias. It is available at retail for under $800.

Founded in 1982 by a husband and wife team of jewelry designers from Denmark, Pandora sells a variety of somewhat more affordable items in gold, silver and other materials, including customizable charm bracelets that feature a patented “threading” system that allows the wearer to add, relocate and remove individual charms. Nearly all pieces are available from either authorized stores or direct from the company, including a classic sterling silver bracelet with a 14k clasp, which retails for under $400.

In 1995, sisters Heath and Landon Slane made a key decision – they would use sterling silver rather than gold as the foundation for their new line of fine jewelry that bears their surname. According to the company, every piece in each of Slane’s four collections is assembled, set and finished by hand. A basket weave sterling silver bangle in the sisters’ “Iconic” collection is available at retail for under $400.