Oct 3 2006
The world's first non-tarnish silver will be on display at an international jewellery fair in London from 2 October 2006.
Lustre Silver was developed by Carr's of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University and will be exhibited by Richard Fox, Managing Director of Richard Fox Associates and Committee Member of the Association of British Design Silversmiths at the Goldsmith's Fair from 2 -8 October 2006 at Goldsmith's Hall.
Richard has just begun experimenting with the new material and has made a shallow bowl from Lustre Silver, which he will display on stand 64 of the Goldsmith's Fair.
Richard explains, "I made bowls from a number of different alloys and found Lustre Silver to be extremely malleable and the easiest to raise. It was quick to work with and I look forward to experimenting with it further. Anyone who would like to come and see Lustre Silver alongside its stainless counterpart is welcome to come and visit my stand at the fair."
Lustre Silver outshines standard sterling silver by keeping its shine and colour intact, putting an end to regular polishing and high care costs. Marketed as Carrs Lustre Silver, makers hope it will change the publics perception of traditionally high-maintenance silverware.
Independent tests at the Sheffield Assay Office and the Cutlery and Allied Trades Research Association (CATRA) have proven its resistance to tarnishing, which occurs when silver reacts with sulphur containing substances in the air, forming a silver sulphide film that blackens the surface of the metal.
The groundbreaking alloy, developed by leading UK silverware brand Carrs of Sheffield and researchers from Sheffield Hallam University Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI) could boost the global market for silver.
Ron Carr, Managing Director of Carrs of Sheffield said: "This is a tremendously exciting opportunity not just for Carrs but the British silverware industry in general. We hope Lustre Silver will help the entire UK silverware industry and will serve to boost silver sales significantly.
John Palmer, Director of Corporate Communications at Sheffield Hallam University says, "This new product is the latest example of how businesses and Universities can work together to develop the products and innovations of the future.
"This truly collaborative effort took the scientific expertise at Sheffield Hallam and combined it with the ingenuity, practical experience, craftsmanship and business acumen at Carrs to develop a truly groundbreaking product."