Sterling Silver vs. 925 Silver – What Are the Differences? | Wedding KnowHow | CHURINGA WEDDING RINGS

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Contents

• Sterling Silver vs. 925 Silver
• Characteristics of Sterling Silver (925 Silver)
• What’s the Sterling Silver Standard?

If you’re looking to buy silver jewelry, you’ll come across several types
of silver and a range of terms that can be confusing and make it hard to choose.

Two such terms are sterling silver and 925 silver, which are often used
interchangeably. Let’s take a look at the differences between these two terms.

Sterling Silver vs. 925 Silver

Sterling silver wedding band. See this here.

While it might seem like two completely different silver varieties, both
these terms describe the exact same thing. Sterling silver is 925 so there is
no difference between the two. Here’s why this happens.

Because pure silver in its natural state is very soft to use in jewelry
(just like gold) it’s typically mixed in with certain other metals to create a
durable alloy. The ratio for sterling silver alloy is 92.5% pure silver and
7.5% of another metal, typically copper, zinc or nickel.

925 simply refers to the percentage of pure silver in the alloy, while
sterling silver is the name given to the alloy.

To make sure that the metal you’ve bought is 925 silver, look for a
hallmark or stamp that identifies it. Jewelers frequently stamp the jewelry in
an invisible section or that’s not easily noticeable, like the clasp or on the
back. If there is no stamp, it’s highly likely that the metal you have isn’t
sterling silver. Common stamps used for sterling silver include 925, STERLING
or the notation 925/1000.  However, note
that these vary from country to country.

Characteristics of Sterling Silver (925 Silver)

Vintage Art Deco sterling silver ring. See it here.

Sterling silver has been used in jewelry for hundreds of years, with the
metal considered a ‘precious’ metal. It’s a highly reflective metal that looks
very similar to white gold when polished and reflective.

One main issue with sterling silver is that it tends to tarnish because
of the high copper content in the alloy (copper tarnishes when exposed to air).
Because of this, sterling silver jewelry requires periodic cleaning to remove
tarnish and keep it shiny.

Sterling silver with alexandrite. See it here.

Sterling silver is also typically hypoallergenic but can cause skin reactions
in people with metal sensitivities if metals that are common allergens, like
zinc and nickel, are used in the silver alloy.

What’s the Sterling Silver Standard?

To be called sterling silver in the US, the alloy should adhere to strict
standards of 925 pure silver. However, this isn’t the case in all parts of the
world. Sometimes, other nations follow their own standards, and some don’t have
any standards at all.

The French have a higher standard for sterling silver than the US,
requiring that 95% pure silver be used. In China, standards can vary from
region to region and there’s a general mistrust of the silver that comes out of
the country.

Always look for the hallmark and buy from a trusted source to avoid being
ripped off.

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