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.
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!
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.
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!
Sterling silver is much less expensive than pure or fine silver. If you love to collect and wear sterling jewelry pieces, then you're in luck. With sterling silver, you will be able to afford more items, without breaking the bank. Ultimately, you'll be able to get more of what you love for less money.
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.
It's called . 999 silver because it's technically 99.9% pure silver! This type of silver is the highest quality silver you can buy.
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.
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.
This type of silver is durable, stunning and will not perish, fade or tarnish easily, meaning that you can wear it and forget about it! Generally, there will be a “925” stamped somewhere on your piece which will indicate that it is genuine 925 sterling silver.
There are positives and negatives to both materials. Sterling silver is less durable but more affordable. White gold is more durable but comes with a higher price tag. Think about the type of piece you'd like to by and how often it will be worn when making your decision.
925 Silver. 1. . 999 silver does not contain significant amounts of nickel or copper – two of the most popular skin irritants in jewelry.
All earring posts in the Sterling Silver collection are certified 925 Sterling Silver and are suitable for piercings.
Unlike pure silver, which contains 99.9% elemental silver (Ag), sterling silver (925) contains one or more additional metals that add strength to the otherwise delicate material. Pure silver is naturally very soft, and would easily bend or break if used for jewelry without being blended with a stronger metal.
Contact with Sulfur Compounds
Sulfur compounds can also cause Sterling Silver to rapidly tarnish producing a layer of an unsightly black mineral called silver sulfide. Found in hot springs, some vegetables and seafood, cleaning products and some swimming pools, sulfur and silver should be kept well apart.
Tarnish can appear as a yellow, brown, black or grey coating on the surface of your silver jewellery, which is sometimes quite patchy. Sterling silver tarnishes more easily than pure silver due to its copper content and this tarnish is likely to be more noticeable and darker in colour.
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. If you're using a bag, be sure to remove all the air before sealing the bag.
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.
925 on Silver Jewelry
Although copper is favored for delicate skin, zinc or nickel can also be used. You know you have a fine piece of silver when it has the 925 stamp. If your piece is on the smaller side, you might need a magnifying glass or a loupe to locate the stamp.
Argentium Silver and Non-Tarnish Alloys
These alloys are a minimum of 92.5% silver though some will be slightly higher in silver content. The remainder consists of copper and the addition of the element germanium. The germanium makes the alloy harder and resistant to tarnish.
As a general rule, gold jewellery tends to flatter warm undertones more whereas white metals such as silver, platinum and white gold look better on paler skin with a cool undertone. Rose gold straddles the line somewhere between the two and so looks equally as good on those with warm or cool undertones.
Gold vs Silver Comparison Table. Gold is a less volatile, more dependable investment for long term investors. Silver is more volatile, which means for short term investing better gains can be made. The spot price of gold is always considerably higher than silver and is less dependent on the markets.
Silver is less expensive than gold: Your money can buy more silver than gold, in part because silver is more abundant in supply. Silver has more uses: Silver is highly conductive and used in industry and commerce more than gold.