About Sterling Silver
The Essential Guide to Sterling Silver 925: Quality, Care, and History
Welcome to the world of sterling silver! As your trusted source for beautiful jewelry, we at Cape Town Silver are often asked about the quality and composition of this timeless metal.
If you’ve ever admired a piece of silver jewelry with the tiny '925' stamp, you’ve seen the definitive hallmark of genuine sterling silver. But what exactly does that number mean, and why is this metal the standard for fine jewelry?
We've broken down all your most frequently asked questions about this classic precious metal.
What is Sterling Silver 925?
In short, sterling silver is a specific metal alloy, and 925 is its official stamp of purity.
Sterling silver is not 100% pure silver. Pure or fine silver is 99.9% silver (often stamped '999'), but it is extremely soft and easily bent, scratched, or deformed—making it unsuitable for durable, everyday jewelry.
To solve this, metalsmiths found the perfect balance:
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92.5% Pure Silver (Ag)
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7.5% Other Metals (typically Copper)
This formula results in a much harder, more durable alloy that still retains the breathtaking luster of fine silver. The 925stamp is an international certification mark guaranteeing that the piece meets this precise standard.
Is Sterling Silver Good Quality?
Yes, sterling silver is an excellent quality precious metal.
It offers a combination of beauty, durability, and affordability that few other metals can match, which is why it has been used by artisans for centuries.
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Durability: The copper alloy provides significant hardness and strength, making sterling silver resilient enough for daily wear without easily scratching or warping, unlike pure silver.
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Affordability: While being a genuine precious metal, it is significantly more accessible in price compared to gold or platinum, offering true affordable luxury.
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Craftsmanship: Its strength and workability allow jewelers to create highly intricate, detailed, and complex designs, perfect for setting gemstones securely.
Are Sterling Silver Rings Good?
Sterling silver rings are an exceptional choice. Due to the 925 alloy's strength, rings made from this material are durable enough to withstand the stresses of everyday use.
This metal is also a popular choice for those with sensitive skin. While pure silver is hypoallergenic, the copper alloy in sterling silver rarely causes allergic reactions, unlike common base metals like nickel.
How Sterling Silver is Made
The process of creating sterling silver is an ancient art form that combines science and craftsmanship:
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Refining & Alloying: The process begins by melting pure silver and the necessary 7.5% of the alloying metal (usually copper). The two are mixed precisely to create the 925 alloy.
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Casting: The molten alloy is poured into molds to create manageable blocks or wires called ingots.
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Shaping: Silversmiths then use various techniques—such as forging (hammering) or rolling—to shape the metal. As the silver is hammered, it hardens (work hardening).
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Annealing: To restore the silver's pliability so it can be further worked without cracking, the piece is heated to a dull red and then quickly cooled (annealed). This process is repeated until the final intricate shape is achieved.
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Finishing: The piece is soldered, cleaned, and highly polished to achieve its signature radiant sheen.
Where is Sterling Silver From? (A Brief History)
The standard of sterling silver has deep roots in history, most notably in Europe.
The term "sterling" itself is believed to originate in England in the 12th or 13th century. Some historians suggest it comes from the term “Easterling,” which referred to a durable silver coin used in trade by German merchants in Eastern Europe, setting a reliable standard for purity.
The first official legal definition of the 92.5% standard was enshrined in English law in 1275 under King Edward I to regulate the quality of silver used for coinage and wares, establishing it as a mark of genuine value that has persisted to this day.
When Does Sterling Silver Turn Black?
Sterling silver does not rust (which is a corrosion of iron), but it will tarnish. This natural reaction is what causes the silver to develop a dark or black surface coating over time.
Tarnish is not a flaw in the metal; it's a reaction between the copper alloy in the silver and sulfur compounds present in the air. This reaction creates a black layer called silver sulfide.
Tarnishing can be accelerated by:
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Airborne Sulfur: From air pollution, industrial fumes, or even household items like rubber.
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Moisture: High humidity, perspiration, and tap water.
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Chemicals: Chlorine (in pools), cleaning products, perfume, hairspray, and lotion.
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Skin Acidity: An individual's unique skin pH can sometimes cause silver to tarnish faster.
The good news is that tarnish is only a surface layer that is easily removed. With a quality silver polishing cloth, you can quickly restore your Cape Town Silver piece to its original brilliance.
Buy your latest Sterling Silver items at www.capetownsilver.com
