While 925 sterling silver is less “pure” than silver, it does not mean it's not good. Sterling silver is a high-quality material that's both durable and beautiful to wear.
Since sterling silver has a lower percentage of silver than pure silver, sterling silver is less expensive. Of the three types of metals, it's typically the least expensive choice. You'll also find more jewelry options in sterling silver since it's a more accessible material to mold into different shapes.
Sterling silver jewelry can absolutely be worn every day! In fact, many people enjoy the look of sterling silver because it's understated and timeless. Plus, it's easy to care for and can be worn with just about anything.
925 Silver. Sterling is the jewelry quality standard in the United States and most world markets. It is an alloy of 92.5% silver. The remaining 7.5% is usually copper though it is sometimes other metals such as nickel.
In conclusion, while it may be tempting to keep your favorite 925 sterling silver pieces on at all times, it's best to remove them before showering. The combination of soap, shampoo, hot water, steam, and general wear and tear in a shower environment can lead to tarnishing, discoloration, and physical damage.
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 composition of 925 Sterling Silver lends itself to the occasional green discoloration because of the presence of copper. Green fingers are harmless and there are simple measures you can take to prevent discoloration. It's all a matter of preparation and maintenance!
Weight - sterling silver pieces tend to be lighter vs silver plated, as the base metal weighs plated pieces down. Durability - in the comparison of silver plated vs sterling silver, sterling silver is more durable as the coating of plated silver can wear off with improper care.
Jewelry considered "fine silver" must contain at least 92.5% pure silver. The remaining 7.5% is typically made up of copper and nickel. A piece of genuine sterling silver will have the words "sterling" or "925" stamped or otherwise marked on it.
Sterling silver jewelry is much more durable than both pure silver and silver-plated jewelry. Silver-plated jewelry can chip, scratch, and dull quickly because the base metal is not silver.
6 Toothpaste
This is a classic, easy DIY silver cleaning recipe. Use non-gel and non-abrasive toothpaste. Squeeze a small amount of it on a soft cloth or paper handkerchief. Rub onto the jewellery or silverware with circular motions to polish it and clean off the tarnish.
Store Your Silver Jewelry in Plastic Bags or Airtight Container. Tarnish happens as a result of silver jewelry being exposed to oxygen and sulfur particles in the air. So, to keep your silver from tarnishing, you can store it in a ziplock bag and other airtight container.
Studies have proved that wearing 925 jewelry can boost levels of energy, a sense of balance, and emotional behavior. The positively charged silver (ions) help create a conductive field that reflects “bad” electromagnetic radiation away from the wearer's body.
In fact, 92.5% is not a recognized value for gold. If you find a piece of gold jewelry with 925 or some variation stamped on it, odds are very good the piece isn't solid gold. It's instead likely the piece's base is sterling silver and gold has been plated or otherwise applied atop the base.
There are markings such as “S925”, “. 925”, and “925”. This gives assurance that the silver is indeed a 925 sterling silver. However, there are some sterling silver that don't have these marks so don't directly assume that the silver is fake if it doesn't have the mentioned markings.
As silver is considered a precious metal, 925 silver has a good resale value. So think of your sterling silver purchase as an investment! What's more, a piece with a legitimate hallmark is recognised across the globe and has lifetime value! So you can sell your sterling silver jewellery at any given time!
Stainless steel, on the other hand, is durable and stronger than sterling silver. So stainless steel might be the best option if you want something strong that requires little maintenance and won't tarnish over time. It does not mean that sterling silver is not durable.
Pure silver is known for being soft and malleable, whereas sterling silver (also known as 925 silver) is much stronger and more pliable. This makes it easier to create intricate and unique designs with 925 silver jewelry.
Long-lasting Durability
Silver jewelry is a lifetime investment. Sterling silver enthusiasts know that their pieces can still look exactly the same even after years! However, 925 sterling silver is not inexpensive. Jewelry of this quality and value is worth the extra cost.
White gold is stronger and more durable than silver. The combination of metals give white gold its color and durability. Without it, pure gold is just as soft as pure silver.
Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver. In this form the metal is beautiful and suffers from minimal tarnish, but it's generally too soft and malleable for many uses, including making most silver jewellery. Instead fine silver is alloyed with copper to create sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper.
925 sterling silver jewelry contains 92.5% silver, which means it will be less likely to tarnish, or will tarnish more slowly than a piece of jewelry that contains more alloy metal and less silver. Another factor in how long it takes for sterling silver to tarnish is how well you take care of your jewelry.
925 Sterling Silver darkens due to daily use, as well as for other reasons. One of the most common reasons is the use of products such as perfumes, shampoos or gels. It may also react immediately with corrosive or cleaning products.
The water can oxidise the silver, meaning it is likely to tarnish and will therefore start to darken. There's also the risk of dropping or losing your jewellery, so we would recommend taking off your sterling silver jewellery before showering.
Pure silver, like pure gold, does not rust or tarnish.