What exactly is 925 Sterling Silver Anyway?

Silver nugget

Making beautiful jewelry is truly an art. Using the most appropriate materials allows the artist the ability to craft a lump of metal into a unique creation.

Silver, or Fine Silver, is 99.9% pure. In this state, the metal is just too soft for use in large, functional items.

When it is mixed with other metals, like copper , the result is Sterling Silver, an alloy of 92.5% silver and usually 7.5% copper. The new combination gives the silver strength and resiliency but keeps it malleable—perfecting for making silver jewelry and preserving its lovely white luster.

Silver Necklace with Green Quartz

Metals other than copper are sometimes used, with the  intent of giving the finished piece a specific quality, like tarnish resistant properties. The use of alternative metals is up to the craftsman, but given the abundance of copper due to improved refining techniques combined with  lower prices, copper has become the first choice of jewelry designers.

Sterling Silver Bracelet with Smokey Quartz

The best way to ensure the quality of the jewelry you are considering for purchase, is to look for a hallmark. This is a mark that is stamped directly onto the piece to indicate the purity of the silver. Many designers also include their personal mark. Be sure to find the “925” stamp, usually near the clasp of on the back of the piece.

~ by From Israel To You Jewelry on October 6, 2009.