Sep
Sterling Silver vs. Regular Silver: What’s the Difference?
Keyword(s): sterling silver vs. regular silver
Projecting ahead, fine jewelry is expected to see a substantial annual growth rate of 8 – 12% through 2025. Despite this, many people remain unaware of the distinctions between sterling silver and regular silver.
This guide aims to clarify the differences between sterling silver and regular silver, helping you make informed purchasing decisions with confidence.
We’ll cover various types of silver, buying tips, the benefits of sterling silver, how to clean your items, and how to assess quality when purchasing silver jewelry!
If you’re in the market for jewelry and wish to discern the types of silver, continue reading to learn more.
Sterling Silver vs. Regular Silver
The terms “silver” and “sterling silver” are often used interchangeably, but they signify different things in the jewelry world. For the purposes of this article, we will refer to them as pure silver and sterling silver. Pure silver is another term for fine silver.
Despite the common confusion, key differences set these two types of silver apart.
In fine jewelry, sterling silver is more prevalent than pure silver. This is mainly because sterling silver, as an alloy, offers enhanced durability and strength.
Sterling silver consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals combined.
Metals used in these alloys can include copper, zinc, nickel, and actual silver. Ensure authenticity by checking for “925 sterling silver” stamps on the item.
The “925” stamp inside your ring signifies that it’s made from sterling silver. Specifically, 92.5% of the metal is pure sterling silver!
While fine silver is luxurious and valuable, its low durability makes it unsuitable for fashion accessories. Its high purity results in a soft, malleable metal prone to damage from everyday contact with harder surfaces.
The primary advantage of sterling silver is its strength and durability, making it an excellent option for higher-quality accessories.
Although fine silver jewelry is sometimes found in specialty stores, it’s rare. Despite appearing more valuable, its softness makes it impractical for creating quality pieces.
Pure silver, also known as fine or just plain silver, is a precious metal symbolized by Ag on the periodic table. Throughout history, it has been cherished as one of the most esteemed metals—second only to gold. Silver’s enduring presence across cultures underscores its status as a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
To find pure silver, explore antique items like flatware, plates, and cutlery. It’s not unusual to encounter vintage tea or coffee sets made of genuine silver.
For an item to qualify as sterling silver, it must contain 99.9% pure silver with only minimal traces of other metals (no more than 0.01%).
Pure silver is too soft for jewelry making. Due to its softness, items crafted from pure silver lack strength and are easily damaged. As such, it is often combined with other metals to produce more robust and durable sterling silver suitable for jewelry.
Items labeled as fine silver will carry a stamp indicating “99.9”, “.999”, or “999” to denote 99.9% purity.
In some cases, especially antiques, the stamp may be hidden under crystal inserts or fittings.
Which Is More Expensive?
Given that sterling silver consists of 92.5% actual silver, it is typically more valuable than pure silver items. Nonetheless, factors like antiquity or craftsmanship quality can also influence value.
Depending on age and provenance, pure silver might be considered priceless!
While the market for sterling silver and gold can be volatile, pure silver averages around $17 per ounce. Though jewelry might not be a lucrative investment, valuable items like tea sets could be worth significantly more due to their high silver content.
Why Choose Sterling Silver Over Pure Silver?
Sterling silver offers numerous advantages over pure silver, such as increased robustness and durability, as well as greater malleability.
Additionally, sterling silver is more affordable and available in a broader range of products. Choosing sterling silver offers considerable benefits for interested consumers!
Buying Tips and Quality Checking
When searching for sterling or pure silver, look for 925 stamps, which indicate genuine solid sterling silver.
In more affordable jewelry stores, you might come across pieces with a layer of sterling silver plating over base metals like copper and brass. Additionally, white gold plating over a sterling silver base is also available!
To differentiate between types of jewelry, there are certain indicators you should notice. Silver jewelry may lack a 925 or 999 stamp, signifying it is not solid silver. Additionally, metals like stainless steel cannot be resized even if silver plated.
If no stamp is present on a piece, it’s likely made from a different material or simply plated over a less expensive metal such as copper.
For a quick and precise way to determine if an item is pure silver or sterling silver, use a magnet: pure silver is non-magnetic, while sterling silver (and stainless steel) are.
Color is another key factor—stainless steel does not exhibit the same level of brightness and luster as sterling silver, which reflects more light and appears more precious.
You can also tap two pieces together or against your fingernail; sterling silver produces a higher pitch sound compared to stainless steel.
Here’s a convenient checklist for identifying authentic jewelry:
- Check for a “925” stamp on the jewelry
- The inscription STERLING or STER may also be present
- Magnetic attraction indicates it’s not real sterling silver
- A strong metallic smell is a sign of non-sterling silver
- Too-good-to-be-true pricing is a red flag
- Seek expert evaluation from a jeweler
Cleaning Your Items
Sterling silver jewelry is often said to be waterproof, yet it isn’t entirely true. While it isn’t waterproof, it is water-resistant. It’s advisable to dry it quickly if it gets wet. Pure silver, however, is waterproof.
Regardless, avoid wearing any silver jewelry in the sea or swimming pool as chlorine and salt can tarnish metals.
The best way to clean regular silver is by using a mild soap and water mix. Soak the piece briefly, then scrub gently with a soft cloth or brush, rinse, and dry with a lint-free cloth for a shiny finish.
For sterling silver, rinse with water, clean using a soft brush and soap, then rinse and pat dry.
Does Sterling Silver Tarnish?
Sterling silver can darken over time. Pure silver retains its shine longer but can still darken due to sulfur in the air. Sterling silver tarnishes faster because it contains other metals which can cause this effect.
Tarnished silver can be revived with a polishing cloth containing jeweler’s rouge, which helps restore both pure and sterling silver to their original brightness.
With a polishing cloth, you can achieve a sparkling result: one side removes tarnish while the other buffs, keeping your jewelry shiny. Regular polishing helps maintain the luster for longer periods.
Tarnish can’t be completely prevented, but these tips can help:
- Wear your sterling silver often to prevent tarnishing
- Avoid wearing it at the gym where sweat can cause tarnishing
- Keep it out of chlorinated water
- Don’t store it in the bathroom
- Polish your jewelry before storing it
- Store your jewelry in a dry and safe place
Is Pure Silver Hypoallergenic?
Certain individuals may be sensitive to various metals.
While pure silver may contain trace amounts of nickel, it is generally safe for those with nickel allergies due to its minimal presence. Copper, often used as an alloy, rarely causes allergic reactions compared to nickel.
Where to Buy Silver Jewelry?
Silver jewelry, whether pure or sterling, is available at various locations such as jewelry stores, online retailers, pawn shops, and antique shops.
Quality sterling silver can also be found at flea markets and craft fairs. Carefully read product descriptions online to understand the metal composition, and consider customer reviews to gauge product satisfaction.
Want to Discover More About Jewelry?
When considering sterling silver versus regular silver for jewelry, weigh their pros and cons. Both types offer unique benefits depending on your preferences.
Always check for markings like “925” or STERLING on pieces to ensure genuine quality from reputable sellers.
Explore our shop today to find exquisite silver jewelry, perfect as a gift for yourself or someone special.
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