Silver Tag Necklace, also known as Dog tag necklaces, is one of the most popular pendant necklaces worldwide. It may not be as classy as other usual pendant necklaces. However, it is a popular military chick fashion item, especially among teenagers and young adults but it can be highly personalized and expressive. These jewelry pieces are easily recognizable by the oval-shaped discs or rounded rectangle tags on a ball chain. Silver Tag Necklace or Dog tag necklaces are stylish, expressive, versatile, and aesthetic.
Dog tags or silver tag necklaces are so customizable. They can be used as fun tokens for youth groups, camps, teams, wedding favors, bridal parties, schools, and business promotional items. A single tag can accommodate up to five or six lines of text averaging 15 characters each depending on its size, and there is no limit to how personalized a tag can be.
Almost anyone can recognize this type of necklace. Originally, Silver tag necklaces or Dog tags were not used for fashion purposes but worn by military service members as identification during combats.
The History of Silver Tag Necklace or Dog Tags
Dog tags are not derived from dogs. A dog tag is an informal term for a specific type of identification tag for military personnel. The tags are used primarily for the identification of casualties as each tag has personal information of the personnel and essential basic medical information such as blood type and history of vaccinations.
It is said that a man named William Randolph Hearst, the man who essentially invented yellow journalism, coined the term when describing the possibility of regular citizens receiving nameplates to serve as personal identification. Allegedly, Hearst referred to them as “dog tags.” The term came from World War II draftees who were controversially being treated as worse than dogs; in protest, they began calling their identification tags “dog tags.”
The military’s identification of the killed soldiers during the American Civil War (1861-1865) was one of the most difficult tasks due to the number of casualties from different battles. The issue was further complicated by inadequate record keeping of personnel assigned to and fighting as regulars or volunteers in both the Union and Confederate militaries, and lost records pertaining to burial locations.
The first tags made by the military were called “name discs” or “soldier pins” that have various designs but there was no specific uniformity pertaining to the information provided. Despite their best efforts to mark themselves, historians estimate that 50 percent of those killed in the Civil War were either unaccounted for or simply marked unknown. The nation debated how to address this issue to ensure Americans were adequately accounted for, returned home, and given a proper burial.
How Silver Tag Necklace or Dog Tags Are Made
Dog tags were usually made from brass and later made from fabricated corrosion-resistant metals such as nickel and copper. They still contain two copies of the information, either in the form of a single tag that can be broken in half or as two identical tags on the same chain. This purposeful duplication allows one tag or half-tag to be collected from a corpse for notification. The duplicate remains with the corpse if the battle conditions prevent it from being immediately recovered. The term arose and became popular because of the tags’ resemblance to animal registration tags.
Silver Tag Necklace or Dog Tags in the Modern World
Today, the issuance of military dog tags remains an important component of military culture, but reliance on dog tags is more symbolic as technology advances. Dog tags are still stamped with important information (name, serial/social security number, blood type, and religious preference). However, the modern way of identification of deceased military service members is done by medical/dental records and DNA sampling. Dog tags today are made of stainless steel. As technology advances, so have the materials and processes used to identify service members and return them home with honor.
Styles of Dog tags or Silver Tag Necklace
- METAL
When choosing a metal, it is important to find a retailer who offers rust-resistant and anti-tarnish coatings to preserve the tag. Because most silver tag necklaces are engraved rather than embossed, tarnish and decay can obscure or destroy the personalization. Dog tags nowadays come in a variety of different metals such as:
- Sterling Silver
- Yellow or White Gold
- Platinum
- Aluminum
- Steel
- SHAPE
The classic elongated rectangle with rounded corners is not the only option for a dog tag, though it is by far the most popular. Different sizes and proportions of tags in this basic shape are available, and other shapes include round, heart, or oval.
- CHAIN
Dog tags are popularly composed of ball chains or small metal beaded necklaces but some are made from chain link necklaces.
- ENGRAVING
The engraving is the most critical part of personalizing this necklace. Imprints on dog tags vary according to the following:
- Monograms, names, or initials
- Team logos or mascots
- Military or other professional emblems
- Phrases or favorite sayings
- Photographs
- Medical or emergency information
- Hobby icons or graphics
Where to Buy the Best Silver Tag Necklace
There are many custom jewelry retailers that are selling this popular type of necklace but the best and most unique one can be found at Sentir Jewelry.
The silver tag necklace from Sentir is crafted with high-quality, durable Japanese stainless steel, a special metal known for its life-long quality. The uniqueness about this necklace is that we use a patented Japanese metal which provides more intensity when compared to fragrances sprayed on the skin. This intensity is so long-lasting, that you only need to spray your perfume once to enjoy Fragrance for up to five days.
With its high-quality blends of metal coating, this special silver tag necklace will show your personality and provide an opportunity to express your passion.
This cable chain necklace can be adjusted up to 20″-22″ inches and is secured with a lobster clasp. The necklace and its coating are both constructed using a blend of high-quality metals that are water-resistant and hypoallergenic.
How to Use Sentir’s Angelic Wing Necklace
- Apply your favorite fragrance or aromatherapy oil to the angel wing pendant.
- Enjoy an intense jewelry scent for up to five days.
- To change fragrances, simply dip your jewelry in hot water for a few seconds (take a shower or go for a swim) and wait until fully dry. You are now free to spritz on your next scent!
Conclusion
Dog tags or silver tag necklaces exist to tell your bare essentials to anyone who needs to know.
They are so popular and a marker for the path into communication. If you want to commemorate a special person or event, the Sentir’s Silver Tag necklace is a perfect choice.
