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.
Because of the fact sterling silver is an alloy, it makes it more sensitive to air and water, which in turn makes it more susceptible to tarnishing on the surface.
Pure silver, with its higher purity, is more like real gold, which does not tarnish even if it is in constant contact with air and water. There are many different standards of silver. Below is a brief description of the more common types. Silver standards refer to the standards of millesimal fineness for the silver alloy used in the manufacture or crafting of silver objects.
The fineness of precious metals, including platinum and gold, are measured in parts of , so the higher the number, the purer the metal. Pure silver, as mentioned, is the purest form of silver. It has a millesimal fineness of Also known as "three nines fine", pure silver contains This grade of silver is used to make bullion bars for international trading and investment in silver. As we mentioned earlier, pure silver is too malleable and soft for day-to-day use.
Britannia silver has a millesimal fineness of at least This alloy is The French 1st standard has a millesimal fineness of Sterling silver has a millesimal fineness of As we mentioned before, sterling silver alloy is Sterling silver is also stamped to indicate that it is true sterling silver.
These stamps are usually "" or " However, you can also sometimes see "ss" as a sterling silver stamp as well. Coin silver has a millesimal fineness of The term "coin silver" was derived from the fact that much of it was made from melting down silver coins.
It is important here to note that there are differences between the coin silver standard and the coin silver alloy, as actually used in making silver objects. Most silver jewellery that you buy and wear will be sterling silver. The only downside to sterling silver is that the added copper will cause it to tarnish more easily, with the metal turning dark brown or black over time, especially in humid conditions.
However, it's easy to clean and beneath the tarnish your sterling silver will still be in great condition: it won't rust or perish with normal use. Sterling silver jewellery is an excellent, high quality choice in most circumstances. The metal will not rust or perish, plus if you look after your jewellery it will look great well into the future. You should even be able to pass your silver jewellery on to future generations.
The softness of even sterling silver can make it unsuited to using with very expensive gemstone settings. Gold or platinum are the metals most often used in this situation as they are harder and the settings are less likely to be damaged.
Because silver is soft you should take a bit more care with cleaning it. Never use harsh cleansers such as baking soda or toothpaste as they will remove some of the metal over time. Your choice of silver jewellery or gold jewellery is primarily down to personal preference, but unless you're particularly wealthy, a major deciding factor is cost. It may come as a surprise to learn that although silver is of course a precious metal, it's vastly less expensive than gold.
How much less expensive? At the time of writing silver is about a whopping 75 times less expensive than gold. This makes gathering a solid gold jewellery collection a very pricey option by comparison to silver.
The reason is primarily that there is considerably more silver in the world than gold. It's estimated that 1. In many cases the silver jewellery you own will be hallmarked or stamped with sterling silver or fine silver. You may also see the stamps SS or FS to represent each. However, not all silver jewellery is hallmarked as it's not a legal requirement in all countries including Australia.
Precious metals like silver and gold do best when worn regularly, so feel free to add sterling silver to your jewelry collection with the confidence that it is durable and when properly cared for, will look great today, tomorrow, and 10 years from now! Q: Is real silver a better choice than sterling silver for my jewelry collection?
A: First of all, let's address the fact that sterling silver is The use of pure precious metals in jewelry making is actually very rare as the metals are too soft when not combined with others to form an alloy. So sterling silver jewelry is actually a much better choice for jewelry making and building a jewelry collection. A: The precious metal content People who buy sterling silver do so because of the value of the metal in it and its inherent beauty and relative affordability.
While more expensive metals like gold and platinum provide durability and are a good investment as well, sterling silver is the most affordable choice for heirloom quality jewelry that can be passed from one generation to the next.
As time passes, sterling silver continues to hold and increase in value making it a great metal choice for building a jewelry collection. Both sterling silver and pure silver have their pros and cons. Deciding which is right for you in the sterling silver vs silver debate will depend on the item you want to purchase, your price range, and your personal preference.
If you're looking to add a timeless piece to your jewelry collection, check out this article that details certain pieces that you must have.
You can also check out our selection of sterling silver chains. Close menu. Italian Adjustables. Gorgeous pendants to enhance your chains. Statement to Simple. Choose Your Style. Artisan Rings from Around the World. Stunning Earring Selection in Every Style. Best Sellers. Popular Pieces from Every Collection. Eros Milano Collezione. Italian Luxury Made in the Heart of Milan. Roman Glass Collection. Limited-Edition Collaboration Exclusives.
Pearl, Moonstone, Abalone, Amber, Coral. This happens because the copper, nickel, zinc or other mixtures in sterling silver may react with oxygen and other elements in the air. Often, sterling silver items are plated with a thin layer of pure silver to improve the shine of the piece.
Click here to see a selection of popular sterling silver jewelry. Fine silver is stamped with marks such as , Sterling silver made in the U.
Jewelry with lower purity is not considered sterling silver by U. It is worth noting that silver sold in Europe or other parts of the world may have purity lower than
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