What is the difference between sterling silver and silver?

Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver. In this form the metal is beautiful and suffers from minimal tarnish, but it's generally too soft and malleable for many uses, including making most jewellery. Instead fine silver is alloyed with copper to create sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper.
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What's better sterling silver or silver?

Silver jewelry marked with a 925 is sterling silver jewelry that has been certified to contain 92.5% silver content. Sterling silver is harder than silver and is more suitable for jewelry making. The silver alloy is favored by jewelers for workability and durability.
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Is sterling silver more valuable than silver?

Sterling Silver vs Silver Value

Pure silver is somewhat more expensive than sterling silver as it contains a higher amount of silver. The metals used in sterling silver alloys are not valuable and do not add to the overall worth of the metal.
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Is sterling silver real silver?

Silver is a soft metal which is used to make jewellery and objects. Due to its softness, it is often mixed with a small amount of another metal to make it more durable and lasting, and in most cases, sterling silver is composed of 7.5% copper. For an item to qualify as solid silver, it must be 92.5% pure silver.
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Is sterling silver good quality?

The added metals in sterling silver make it an incredibly durable material — it's even stronger than gold. In addition to its light weight, this quality makes it an ideal choice for jewelry that will be worn daily or often.
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Difference Between Fine Silver And Sterling Silver



Can I wear sterling silver in the shower?

Though showering with sterling silver jewelry on should not harm the metal, there is a good chance that it could induce tarnishing. Waters that contain chlorine, salts, or harsh chemicals will affect the look of your sterling silver. We encourage our customers to remove your sterling silver before showering.
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What is the best Silver to buy for jewelry?

Sterling silver is the choice silver of jewelry designers and customers. One of the newest (and most popular) types of silver is Argentium silver, which is a type of non-tarnish silver alloy.
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Does sterling silver turn green?

The composition of 925 Sterling Silver lends itself to the occasional green discoloration because of the presence of copper. Green fingers are harmless and there are simple measures you can take to prevent discoloration. It's all a matter of preparation and maintenance!
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Why is sterling silver cheap?

This is a serious issue because many jewelers are known to sell fake sterling silver necklaces, rings, earrings and so on. Sterling silver is much cheaper than costlier metals such as gold, and yet, fake imitations of sterling silver jewelry are sold in the market.
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Will sterling silver rust?

Sterling silver doesn't rust in the traditional sense, but it does go through a chemical process that causes the color of the metal to change over time.
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Which silver does not tarnish?

Sterling silver is an alloyed form of silver which is much more suitable to use in jewellery and other metalwork. Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver. In this form the metal is beautiful and suffers from minimal tarnish, but it's generally too soft and malleable for many uses, including making most jewellery.
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Does sterling silver turn black?

It is a natural reaction for your jewelry to tarnish over time. The blackened color of this metal indicates, precisely, that our jewelry is made of 925 Sterling Silver. 925 Sterling Silver darkens due to daily use, as well as for other reasons.
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Can sterling silver tarnish?

Sterling silver tarnishes when exposed to salty air, chlorine, sulfur, humidity, perspiration, cosmetics, household bleach and other strong chemicals.
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Can you wear sterling silver everyday?

In conclusion, you can wear sterling silver every day, but you must do so carefully. Regular wear prevents premature tarnishing ONLY if you avoid wearing it when participating in certain activities. Remember: avoid moisture, open-air, and chemicals if at all possible.
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Is sterling silver worth anything?

Sterling silver is worth 92.50% of the value of pure silver metal. To calculate how much sterling silver is worth, multiply the weight of your sterling silver by the spot price, and then by 0.925.
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Is 925 sterling silver good?

Composition. To be considered pure silver, a piece must contain 99.9% pure silver and 0.1% trace elements. Sterling silver is an alloy of silver and another rigid metal. The exact percentages depend on the jeweler or supplier, but 925 sterling silver is typically considered good quality.
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Why is silver so cheap 2021?

The price remains low because it's not a rare metal, and most people are fonder of gold. So, it might be best to think long and hard if you're looking to invest in silver. It now costs more than it did this time last year, but you can never know how things will turn tomorrow.
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How can you tell real silver?

  1. Look for markingsor stamps on the silver. Silver will often be stampedwith 925, 900, or 800.
  2. Test it with a magnet. Silver, like most preciousmetals, is nonmagnetic.
  3. Sniff it. Unlike many othermetals, silver is odorless.
  4. Polish it with a soft white cloth. ...
  5. Put a piece of ice on it.
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Is stainless steel better than sterling silver?

To summarize, stainless steel offers enhanced durability and a longer lifespan than sterling silver due to its inherent corrosion and scratch-resistance. This makes it better for everyday use, especially for jewellery.
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Can sterling silver get wet?

Even when the weather isn't warm, we're (hopefully) showering. This raises the question : can I get my silver jewelry wet? The short answer to this question is yes, you can (if you know it's sterling silver). Water generally does not damage sterling silver.
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How do you keep sterling silver from tarnishing?

How to Prevent Sterling Silver From Tarnishing
  1. Keep it Out of Direct Sunlight. ...
  2. Put Sterling Silver Jewelry on Last. ...
  3. Remove Before Household Cleaning. ...
  4. Add Chalk to the Container. ...
  5. Avoid Placement on Stained Wood. ...
  6. Store it Properly. ...
  7. Include Anti-Tarnish Strips. ...
  8. Keep Sterling Silver Dry.
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Is platinum better than silver?

The difference in durability is really no contest between platinum, white gold and silver. Silver is a soft metal, easily scratched, that wears down quickly and tarnishes requiring regular cleaning and polishing to keep it in tip-top shape. However, with proper care, a silver piece can last a lifetime.
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How do you pick good silver?

Sterling silver should be stamped with . 925 or 925, meaning it's 92.5% pure silver. Anything with less silver content than that may not keep its original color. If no stamp is visible, be sure you trust the jeweler from whom you are buying; otherwise, look elsewhere.
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What does 875 mean on silver?

Around this time the sterling standard was adopted by the American silver industry. 84 zolotnik Russian silver has the equivalent millesimal fineness of 875. The alloy contains 87.5% pure silver and 12.5% copper or other metals.
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Can Coca Cola clean silver?

This will work best for smaller items. Simply pour the coke into a bowl and submerge your silver into it. The acid in the coke will quickly remove the tarnish. Keep an eye on it – just a few minutes should be enough.
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