What's the Difference Between Silver and Sterling Silver? (2024)

FAQs

What's the Difference Between Silver and Sterling 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.

What's the difference between sterling silver and silver? Sterling silver is an alloy made mostly of silver and a small percentage of copper and zinc to strengthen it. It can last a lifetime and be passed on for many generations if properly cared for. Silver is soft and not as durable as sterling silver.

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 is much more durable compared to fine silver because of the added metal alloys. This can help your piece last and stay looking the best it possibly can for longer.

You cannot buy 100% pure silver as the metal is too soft and malleable to be used in jewelry, coins, bars, or products. Generally, the purest form of silver you'll find is 99.9%, though you can buy silver bullion with 99.99% purity such as the 1oz Silver Maple Leaf Coin or 500g Silver Bar from Nadir Metal Rafineri.

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. The other metals in the alloy increase hardness so the material will be more durable.

Pure silver tends to be more expensive than sterling silver due to its higher silver content. However, that value can vary depending on what form the pure silver is in.

Absolutely, there is a type of silver that is renowned for its resistance to tarnishing – it's called "Sterling Silver" or "Argentium Silver." Sterling Silver is an alloy that consists of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of another metal, usually copper.

925 sterling silver is a high-quality silver that is less likely to turn your finger green, while a sterling silver piece with a higher percentage of alloy metal may be more likely to react with moisture oThis unique combinationn your skin.

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.

Why does my sterling silver tarnish so quickly? ›

The higher tarnishing rate of sterling silver is due to the copper in the silver-copper alloy. Copper is more reactive than silver (Graedel 1992). In general, the tarnishing rate of silver-copper alloys increases with increasing copper content (Selwyn 1990).

Pure silver does not turn black, but it can tarnish and turn a dark gray or black color when exposed to air and light. This is because silver reacts with hydrogen sulfide in the air to form a black layer of silver sulfide on the surface of the metal.

Marks on these pieces include 925 or Sterling. Any mark indicating a higher silver content, such as 950, would also qualify as sterling. Coin silver (900): Since it is only 90% silver, this alloy cannot be referenced as sterling. Items made from this alloy may include marks such as 900, Coin, and Standard.

All-weather store of value – It's tangible money

Having silver bullion guarantees a finite and tangible asset. Even in turbulent market conditions, physical silver will never become worthless. Silver will keep its intrinsic and real value.

While . 925 Sterling Silver is good for jewelry and other worn items that will experience wear and tear with frequent use, when it comes to silver bars and coins for collecting and investment purposes, you will get the most value out of the highest silver content you can afford - . 999 or even .

It's worth noting that sterling silver tarnishes much easier than stainless steel and is more prone to damage and scratches. To summarize, stainless steel offers enhanced durability and a longer lifespan than sterling silver due to its inherent corrosion and scratch-resistance.

The short answer to this question is yes, you can (if you know it's sterling silver). Water generally does not damage sterling silver. *But* water does cause silver to oxidize (darken) more quickly, and what type of water and the chemicals in it has an impact on how much it will cause your silver change color.