Sterling silver is good for so many things. It lasts longer, its Jewellery gives you a charming look, solves your last-minute accessorizing doubts, and is good for your pocket too.
Despite having so many pluses and jillions of fans for the sterling silver Jewellery style, the number of people who know about the metal is less.
Yes, there is more to the lovely 92.5 sterling silver that you might want to know, along with some easy cleaning and care tips you could use to make your Jewellery last longer than it already does.
What is sterling silver? And what does it mean by 925 sterling silver?
Sterling silver is simply an alloyed form of silver that has 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metal which is usually copper or zinc.
This is usually done to make the metal stronger and more durable so that it lasts longer. This stir of metals gives it the label of 925 or 92.5 sterling silver.
It is a stamp on silver Jewellery that denotes the purity of the silver.
It indicates that out of every 1000 parts of the material in the Jewellery piece, 925 must be silver, and no more than 75 must be a different metal. As a result, it bears the 925 mark.
How is sterling silver different from regular silver?
Silver is a rare and precious metal that holds great significance in history and Indian traditions.
But when looking for silver, people often confuse it with sterling silver, as they do not know much about what sterling silver actually is.
What is the difference between silver and sterling silver? Which is better, silver or sterling silver?
To establish the basis, let’s first know that silver and sterling silver are two different forms of metal. The former is fine silver, which is made up of 99.9% pure silver.
It is a lovely, shiny metal, but being pure in its state, it is so soft and flexible that it cannot be applied to many uses, which include the making of silver Jewellery.
It is mixed with other metals to make it less soft and more durable. This fusion of pure silver mixed with other metals is the latter alloyed form of silver known as 92.5 sterling silver.
The blend comprises 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metal, which is usually copper in the case of Jewellery.
Benefits of Sterling Silver
Fine silver has the glint and glows to make you shine in just no time. It’s a timeless choice for Jewellery and a great piece of beauty.
Sterling silver is no less, however. It comes with a lot of benefits1 to the bag with the styling part being at the top.
- Durable
This wonderful alloyed metal is highly durable, given its blend of metals that harden it to make it last longer. It doesn’t bend, buckle, receive scratches, or deform in shape, so you can keep it with you for a long time. This consequently means you can continue slaying in your all-time favourite sterling silver Jewellery for many years to come.
- Easily Customizable
Sterling silver can be poured into any shape you want. It gives complete liberty to the craftsmen to create diverse styles. Rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and various customizable Jewellery like pendants with names or initials engraved are quite popular trends. So, this one benefit, in particular, adds both value and style to your choice.
- Versatile
The magic of sterling silver lies in its adaptability to fuse with any metal, tone, or style of Jewellery. In the current influencer trends, it can be seen stacked with yellow gold, white gold, and even rose gold-toned accessories, which are the go-to spots for the generation to derive fashion inspiration.
- Hypoallergenic
Silver is a belief. People do prefer purity over any advantage the alloyed form of silver has to offer. But, even in this purity, there is a mix of nickel to make it firm enough to mould into Jewellery items. This combination causes skin allergies in the wearer. On the other hand, sterling silver is completely hypoallergenic. It does not cause any itching, irritation, or scabs on the skin, keeping you stress-free about any infection.
- Low Maintenance
Jewellery demands maintenance, but this one surely needs too little of it. Tarnishing is natural with time. Exposure to water, air, and chemicals causes it to lose its sheen, but with some basic care and cleaning, you will be able to keep it for a long time. Let’s know how it’s done in the section below.
How to care for your sterling silver Jewellery?
Little care, here and there surely does no harm, but good to anything. The same goes for Jewellery and other sterling silver items, which need minimal care2 3 4 to keep them good and shining. Some of these can be listed as follows.
- Keep it Dry
Ensure the dryness of your sterling silver Jewellery by taking it off while in a shower, swimming pool, hot springs, or any other form of water that may be contaminated. Yes, pure water does not cause damage to your Jewellery, but we do not find that often in our daily lives, right
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals
With water or in any pure form, you must keep your sterling silver Jewellery away from any chemical composition, like perfumes, lotions, soap, or shampoos. Chemicals react with the metal in sterling silver and cause it to tarnish, hence reducing the life of your fine Jewellery.
- Store Properly
As you plan to get sterling silver Jewellery for yourself, you must make arrangements for its storage too. You can keep it in a Jewellery box or bag in a dry place away from any moisture. Try storing the pieces separately so as to avoid scratches, damage, and tarnishing. You can also choose to keep them with anti-tarnish strips that keep them looking vibrant for longer.
- Gentle Cleaning
A quick and easy clean-up is perfect to give your sterling silver Jewellery a bit more of a blaze. You can do it easily at home with just some simple things available to you. Some sure hacks that would do the task are:
- Water and Baking Soda – Stir water and baking soda together to form the paste. Use an old toothbrush or any other cleaning brush to gently clean your Jewellery with gentle motions.
- Vinegar and Baking Soda – Soak your sterling silver Jewellery in a bowl with a mixture of half a cup of vinegar and two tablespoons of baking soda. After a couple of hours, rinse it to get sparkling Jewellery.
- Water and Dish Liquid – This way needs no extra rules. Simply rinse the Jewellery well in the solution and dry it thereafter.
- Give it a Polish
This includes simply cleaning the sterling silver Jewellery with easily given DIY hacks and simply wiping it off with a clean, soft microfiber cloth. You must use different parts of the cloth for that and avoid cleaning in a circular motion, as this can exacerbate the dirt and tarnish.
How to check if a piece of Jewellery is genuine 925 sterling silver or fake?
Sterling silver vs. silver is a big debate and how to recognize sterling silver is even bigger.
People have many common questions about its legitimacy like; is sterling silver pure silver. Is sterling silver real silver? So, it becomes important to know the notes of difference between sterling silver and pure silver5. Here are some of them that you can use for the same.
- Search for the sterling silver quality mark.
The quickest way to find out if your purchase is sterling silver fine Jewellery or not is to look for the quality mark called the hallmark. All certified sterling silver articles will be stamped with the “sterling” or “925” word. Other notations like “925,” “.925,” “S925,” “STG,” “SS,” and “STER” are also considered authentic.6
- Observe the smell of the item.
Silver does not produce a smell. So, if you notice the smell after carefully smelling it for a while, the piece most likely contains too much copper to be sterling silver. The genuine 925 sterling silver does not contain enough copper to make it smell.
- Listen for a bell-like sound.
Sterling silver, when tapped gently produces a high-pitched bell-like sound lasting for 1 to 2 seconds. When doing so, if you do not hear the ring, the item is not sterling silver. You must take extreme caution to not dent or ding the item.
- Test for the item’s adaptability.
Silver, as we all know, is a soft and malleable metal. So if your item bends easily, it is probably made of pure silver, and if it doesn’t, it is likely to be formed of sterling silver.
Conclusion
The stated 925 sterling silver meaning, the sterling silver vs pure silver distinction, and other relevant matters clear up the stir for silver and Jewellery enthusiasts. It’s a much-loved and affordable trend. The 925 sterling silver prices are comparatively less than silver.
It usually changes with the market rates, and how much is 925 sterling silver worth in your time of need can be easily determined from the internet or the local Jewellery shops around you.
But as you plan to get yourself a treasured piece of sterling silver, make sure to treat it with love and care and enjoy the stares it attracts every time you wear it with your smile and confidence.
FAQs Related to 925 Sterling Silver
Is sterling silver a good quality?
Sterling silver is undoubtedly a great quality metal. It is a preferred choice for many people as it is much more durable and adaptable than pure silver. It is a timeless metal that can last for a lifetime with proper care.
Is sterling silver real silver?
Yes, sterling silver is real silver. It is an alloyed form of silver that comprises 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metal that is used to make it more malleable to design. This composition does not affect the authenticity of the metal.
Does sterling silver tarnish?
Sterling silver tarnishes when exposed to air, water, and chemicals. It requires minor maintenance and proper storage to last a long time. However, the tarnish is not permanent. It can be removed with some easy cleaning and care.
Is sterling silver cheaper than pure silver?
Sterling silver is 92.5% silver, whereas pure silver is 99.9% silver. This change in the purity percentage brings about a change in the cost of metal, which makes sterling silver less expensive than pure or fine silver.
Can I shower with sterling silver?
When exposed for a long time, water is capable of tarnishing silver. So, it is recommended to remove sterling silver and other Jewellery while taking a shower. Also, taking a shower while wearing Jewellery increases the risk of dropping or losing the Jewellery.
Does sterling silver turn black?
Tarnishing causes sterling silver to turn black. It happens when metal is exposed to any chemical component in daily life. The tarnishing of sterling silver is natural and expected but can be prevented with proper care and storage.
- Davis, D. (2021). Choose Sterling: Top 7 Incredible Benefits of Sterling Silver Jewelry. Retrieved from https://www.romadesignerjewelry.com/blogs/education/choose-sterling-top-7-incredible-benefits-of-sterling-silver-jewelry[↩]
- Silpada. (2021). How To Care for Your Sterling Silver Jewelry. Retrieved from https://www.silpada.com/blog/education/how-to-care-for-sterling-silver-jewelry/[↩]
- Davis, D. (2017). Sterling Silver Care: 5 Tips for Long-Lasting Jewelry. Retrieved from https://www.romadesignerjewelry.com/blogs/education/sterling-silver-care-5-tips-for-long-lasting-jewelry[↩]
- Sterling Silver Care Tips: How to Clean Silver Jewelry? | Tiffany & Co.. (n.d.). https://www.tiffany.com/care-and-repair/sterling-silver-jewelry-care/[↩]
- Young, K. (2023). How to Know if Something Is Sterling Silver: 12 Proven Tests. Retrieved from https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-Something-Is-Sterling-Silver[↩]
- The Difference Between Sterling Silver and 925 Silver. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.jewelry-auctioned.com/learn/buying-jewelry/sterling-silver-vs-925-silver[↩]