Silver has been used for hundreds of years in a variety of ways, and sterling silver has long been a staple of the jewelry world. Yet, after being around for so many years, many questions still exist about both silver and sterling silver, including how they compare to each other, whether they tarnish and how to care for them.
What is sterling silver?
Sterling silver is a metal alloy typically made of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper or nickel. Adding another harder metal like copper or nickel to silver allows the resulting sterling silver to be less susceptible to damage. It also has a brighter, shinier finish than pure silver. This shiny appearance is what many associate with “silver” (rather than pure silver’s grayish color) due to the heavy use of sterling silver in jewelry.
Pros of sterling silver:
- Affordable: Sterling silver is generally more affordable than white gold or platinum. This makes it a great choice for everyday jewelry, especially for those on a budget.
- Versatile: Sterling silver comes in a wide variety of styles, from classic to modern. It can also be easily adorned with gemstones, pearls and other materials, making it a versatile choice for any occasion.
- Long-lasting shine: Tarnished sterling silver can be easily brightened up with a polishing cloth, restoring its finish to its original gleam. This makes it a great choice for jewelry that you might wear for many years.
Cons of sterling silver:
- Prone to tarnishing: Although it is polishable, silver will tarnish when it comes in contact with air, moisture and chemicals.
- Not hypoallergenic: Sterling silver contains copper (and can contain nickel as mentioned above), which some people may have an adverse or allergic reaction to. Consider hypoallergenic metals such as surgical steel or titanium if you have sensitive skin.
While sterling silver is a popular metal choice for jewelry, other silver jewelry options exist, including silver-filled and silver-plated jewelry. Learn more about the different options available by exploring the various types of silver for jewelry.
Sterling silver vs. silver
Pure silver is a metal that is abundant in nature. Like gold and copper, silver occurs naturally in ores (rocks containing silver) and is available with little processing. Pure silver is often called “fine silver” or “.999 silver” as it is made of 99.9% silver, with the remaining 0.1% being trace impurities.
Ancient Greek, Egyptian and Roman civilizations widely used silver as currency. Because of its softness, silver was essentially useless in manufacturing and weaponry. But silver’s high malleability allows it to be easily hammered into thin sheets, which caught the eye of jewelry makers.
Pros of pure silver:
- Easy to work with: Its malleability makes silver perfect for a wide variety of uses, including battery making, dentistry and much more.
- Highly conductive: Silver has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of all metals, making it useful and versatile in technology and electronics.
- Antibacterial: Silver naturally has a low toxicity to humans and is often used for things like medical equipment and water purification processes.
Cons of pure silver:
- Naturally soft. In its pure form, silver is too soft to serve as a solo option for metal jewelry without adding an alloy. Pure silver’s softness makes it difficult to mold into an intricate design that holds its shape.
- Expensive. Especially when compared to silver-alloy alternatives, fine silver will typically cost a bit more.
What do these numbers mean on sterling silver?
Sterling silver jewelry has several, authentic identification markings including:
- 925
- 925/100
- 92.5% pure
- Ster
- Sterling
- Sterling silver
Sterling silver is used across the spectrum of jewelry types due to its many positive features. However, some factors may be seen as downsides to sterling silver, too.
Comparing sterling silver and silver: How to tell them apart
By now, the primary similarities and differences between sterling silver and pure silver are fairly evident. Silver is soft and vulnerable in its raw, pure form, while sterling silver’s alloy blend makes it a harder, more resistant metal. Pure silver tends to be more gray, while sterling silver shines with a brighter, whiter brilliance, similar to white gold. Pure silver is hypoallergenic, but sterling silver’s blend of metals can create skin reactions in people with skin sensitivities. While both are susceptible to tarnish, fine silver (.999) will tarnish more slowly than sterling silver (.925) due to its higher concentration of silver. Pure silver is also typically more expensive than sterling silver. If you’re considering a jewelry purchase, you might want to weigh your options between white gold and silver.
How to tell if sterling silver is real
Sometimes “silver” jewelry is instead a cheaper silver that has been alloyed with a lower-quality metal. If you’re wondering whether your current or future sterling silver jewelry is real, here are a few tips and tests that can help you determine your answer:
- Check for the hallmark silver markings, such as “925,” as mentioned above.
- If no hallmarks are present, ask the seller for the contents of the jewelry. If you already own the piece, consult a professional jeweler.
- Silver is not magnetic.
- If your jewelry smells like a handful of change, it may be an imposter, as real silver does not omit that metallic money scent.
- Real silver jewelry tends to tarnish and turn black. Rub your silver jewelry with a white cloth. If no black residue appears on your cloth, it’s likely not silver.
Learn more about spotting a silver fake with How to Tell if Silver Jewelry is Fake: 6 Tests to Try at Home.
Does sterling silver tarnish? What about pure silver?
Yes, both pure silver and sterling silver can tarnish over time. Silver tarnish occurs when pure silver encounters sulfur-containing substances in the air, forming silver sulfide, which appears as black or gray tarnish.
Sterling silver is an alloy that includes metals also susceptible to corrosion (such as copper or nickel). Sterling silver tarnishes at a faster rate than pure silver, due to its copper content, as copper is more reactive than pure silver. The color change is strong, and the surface of the alloy can become yellow, brown, or even a faint blue or black color.
The word “tarnish” can often carry a negative connotation. However, some people enjoy the look of tarnished sterling silver, which can be a unique, tasteful touch to jewelry and home or office decor.
How to care for sterling silver
Despite being prone to tarnish, sterling silver jewelry can maintain its beautiful shine with proper care and cleaning. Storing sterling silver pieces in separate containers or pouches can help prevent scratching caused by pieces clanking together in the same pouch. Be sure your sterling silver jewelry is not stored on a treated surface, such as stained or treated wood, as this can increase the tarnishing process. Once separated, store jewelry somewhere dry, away from direct sunlight. If excess moisture is a concern, consider adding silica packs or a piece of chalk in your jewelry box or jewelry pouches, as they help absorb moisture and chemicals. Lastly, gently wiping your jewelry with an anti-tarnish cloth after use and before storing can help stave off tarnishing.
A great bonus of sterling silver is that its tarnish can be easily removed with a polishing cloth. However, for a thorough, deep cleaning of your silver jewelry, consider the following cleaning technique.
From werewolves and spoons to the silver screen, silver’s shiny history
That’s a lot of silver information to take in at one time. But, for those yearning for more, you’re in luck! Here are four fun, silver history tidbits:
- Silver and werewolves. In folklore and fiction, silver is a classic weapon against werewolves and other supernatural creatures. While silver has some antimicrobial properties, there's no scientific evidence it can ward off mythical beasts.
- Silverware. Many types of flatware are made with stainless steel, which makes it great for everyday use since it’s relatively affordable, durable and easy to clean. Flatware is also sometimes made from sterling silver, which is why it’s commonly referred to as silverware. However, this may be a pricier option and will require more frequent maintenance.
- Silver screen. In the early days of movie projection technology, industry innovators found that coating their movie screen surfaces with metallic paint increased the contrast of the image and reduced blurriness. While the term “silver screen” became synonymous with movie screens, the metal used to coat screens wasn’t necessarily silver at all. In fact, various shiny, reflective metals were used.
And there you have it—your easy guide to silver and sterling silver. If you own or are hoping to purchase valuable silver jewelry, protect your investments by obtaining personal jewelry insurance through Jewelers Mutual instead of insuring your valuables through homeowners insurance. It’s an affordable option that covers loss, damage and disappearance without impacting your home insurance premiums. You can check your rate by clicking the button below.
