Sterling silver is an alloy made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper or zinc. Sterling silver pieces are stamped with 925 to mark their authenticity.
The stamp 925 is used to identify genuine sterling silver jewelry, which contains 92.5% silver. Sterling silver is an alloy, or combination of metal types.
It is made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, which makes it more resistant to wear and tear. If you've ever come across the number “925” on your silver jewelry, it is an indication that it is made of sterling silver. The number 925 represents the purity level of the silver used in the jewelry, which is 92.5%.
Why is sterling silver so cheap? Sterling silver is inexpensive compared to other precious metals like gold and platinum. It is an alloy made up of a mixture of metals, with silver being the main component. The other metals typically used to make sterling silver, such as copper, are much less expensive than silver.
925 Sterling Silver jewelry certainly does not come cheap. It requires quite an investment from your side, whether you are buying sterling silver pendants or rings. But it is a worthwhile investment as its value increases with time.
Devoted enthusiasts of sterling silver appreciate that their cherished pieces retain their exquisite beauty even after many years. The superior quality and lasting value of 925 sterling silver make it an investment worth making. If you are still wondering if 925 sterling silver is good, then the answer is yes!
925 silver, often referred to as sterling silver, is, in fact, real silver though it is an alloy rather than pure silver. 925 silver means your item is 92.5% silver and 7.5% another metal, such as copper. This means that your 925 silver is valuable and can be sold.
925 silver value is between $0.69 and $0.80 per gram on average. A sterling silver jewelry's cost can be calculated by multiplying the total sterling silver weight by 0.925 as it contains 92.5% pure silver.
Pure silver is not susceptible to tarnish in a pure oxygen environment. However, the copper that is contained in 925 sterling silver may react to the ozone and hydrogen sulfide in the air and cause sterling silver to tarnish. Perfumes, hair sprays, and profuse sweating can also cause a quicker formation of tarnish.
Sterling silver normally lasts 20 to 30 years if the owner cares well for it. However, your sterling silver can last forever if you care for it properly. Made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, sterling silver requires some special care. If you own any sterling silver jewelry, you should know how to care for it well.
The sterling or 925 quality mark that is stamped directly on the object or attached as a tag indicates that the entire piece is sterling, even if the seller says it's plated. If you intend on buying these plated Chinese pieces with this quality mark, it MUST be removed to make it a legitimate plated piece.
Using sterling silver alloys
It's standard practice to alloy pure silver with harder metals to improve its strength. Pandora jewellery regularly uses sterling silver: the world's most popular silver alloy.
Yes it can, if you don't practice proper ring care and/or you have sensitive skin to the copper or nickel alloy. Will 925 sterling silver turn my silver green? If you practice good ring care and don't have sensitive skin or an allergy to copper or nickel alloy then the chances of a green finger are minimal.
Many pieces can be washed with soap and water or placed in a jewellery box with a soft cloth for protection. Sterling silver jewelry can absolutely be worn every day!
Luckily, sterling silver does not rust.
Choose high-purity sterling silver that is marked "925" (the standard used to indicate the weight of pure silver in the alloy). While water won't ruin your sterling silver, it may speed up the tarnishing process, so it's best to take jewelry off before you shower, wash your hands, or do the dishes.
True 925 sterling silver is not cheap. The extra cost is more than worth it for the quality and lifetime value of the jewelry. Some of your well-made pieces may even become family heirlooms in the future.
A: The precious metal content (92.5%) in sterling silver makes it more expensive than flash-plated jewelry by default. People who buy sterling silver do so because of the value of the metal in it and its inherent beauty and relative affordability.
Plated often has a lighter tone than sterling silver. Durability - because sterling silver is crafted from a metal alloy, rather than a coating, it is often more durable than its plated counterpart. Weight - sterling silver pieces tend to be lighter vs silver plated, as the base metal weighs plated pieces down.
925 silver oxidizes when exposed to air leading to chemical changes in its wake. Using a soft white cloth, rub a small part of the jewelry, if the surface produces a black mark it would mean that the product is sterling silver. On the other hand, the color change would be absent in fake merchandise.
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% an alloy, commonly copper. You can tell sterling silver and white gold apart by searching for the hidden 925 on the jewelry piece, indicating the sterling silver composition.
Yes! Sterling silver can be sold for scrap. Since sterling silver contains 92.5% silver, it is worth 92.5% of the silver spot price.