What is sterling silver?
Very often we are asked about sterling silver – what is sterling silver? Is it just a “normal” or “pure” silver? Are there any differences?
Sterling silver has been more and more popular within the last few years. This precious metal was for ages used as a shiny element on our dinner tables but now more and more people decide to add it as a compound of exclusive jewelry.
Keep reading to learn more about sterling silver properties and use.
Some useful details on sterling silver – what is sterling silver used for?
Sterling silver is currently one of the top metals used for jewelry. It is made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% metal alloy. The most common metal alloy is copper but it’s not the only one that is used. Thanks to the addition of copper, sterling silver is very durable, unlike pure silver that is very soft. This is why sterling silver’s common uses include cutlery and a wide range of silverware (serving plates, trays, utensils, pitchers etc.). These days sterling silver is mainly used in the making of jewelry though.
Very often people wonder whether sterling silver is really silver.
The answer is simple – yes! As mentioned above, sterling silver is 92.5% silver. It’s just pure silver mixed with other metals so that jewelry can be formed out of it.
Is sterling silver expensive?
Sterling silver is usually a little less expensive than pure silver. It’s because it contains a smaller amount of silver. However, the difference is slight. Plus, the brand value adds to the total cost of sterling silver jewelry.
Is sterling silver the same as silver? What is the difference between silver and sterling silver?
As already mentioned, sterling silver contains “less silver in silver”. Thus, the main difference is that sterling silver is stronger so that it can be used to make functional objects. By alloying silver with other metal, it becomes strong enough to be of practical use.
On the other hand, you should always check the metals in the alloy while purchasing sterling silver jewelry. Some metals like nickel are common allergens.
Sterling silver vs pure silver
Pure silver consists of 99.9% silver and 0.1% trace elements. As a metal for jewelry, it’s too soft and malleable. It loses shape easily.
On the other hand, sterling silver is highly durable and can last a lifetime. It can be easily repaired and resized at a relatively low cost if needed.
However, it may happen that sterling silver will tarnish because of the copper content which reacts with the elements and oxidizes. This is why you shouldn’t expose your sterling silver jewelry to moisture. Also, make sure you polish it on a regular basis.
What is 925 sterling silver?
925 sterling silver is metal containing 92.5% silver and the remaining part consists of other metal, usually copper (zinc or nickel are less popular). This is why it’s really common to call sterling silver 925 sterling silver or just 925 silver.
The percentage of silver varies, e.g. in France the standard is 95%.
However, in order for silver to be classified as sterling silver, purity cannot be lower than 92.5%. Pure silver gets a 999 rating. Ultimately, 925 sterling silver is just the same as sterling silver.
