What is sterling silver

You might be wondering what is sterling silver and what's the difference from pure silver?

Did you think that sterling silver and regular silver were the same thing? They're actually two distinct materials with different make-ups, care techniques, lifespans, and prices.

But what exactly are these differences? Is there one that's better in the sterling silver vs silver debate? Which should you go for the next time you want to buy a "silver" item?

Sterling silver is an alloy made from 92.5 percent pure silver (Which is why sterling silver is sometimes referred to as "925 Sterling Silver") and the other 7.5 percent of the alloy is usually copper. An alloy is essentially the mixture of two (or more) elements taken from the periodic table. The reason silver needs to be combined with other metals is that it is very difficult to make great designs with just pure silver, which is very soft and malleable. A bit of hardness has to be introduced, by adding other metals such as copper.

Sterling silver could tarnish over time due to a natural chemical reaction that happens when it’s exposed to air. But no worries, you can polish and deep clean it so it looks just as good as when you first got it. To minimize scratches and other damage, store your silver jewelry in either a cloth pouch or a separate compartment in your jewelry box. Avoid exposing your silver to household chemicals, like bleach and ammonia or when swimming in chlorinated water, as these chemicals can damage sterling silver.

See our guide here of how to take care your jewelry

Interesting Facts:

Silver was known in the ancient world as argentium and was at one time thought to be more precious than gold because it appeared less commonly in nature. Sterling silver was later adopted as a standard alloy in England in the 12th century when King Henry II imported refiners from an area of Germany known as the Easterling. The product they made was of a consistent quality and was used as currency by 1300, when it was known as Easterling silver.