STERLING SILVER VS REGULAR SILVER:WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Looking ahead, fine jewelry is expected to experience a strong annual growth rate of 8-12% between now and 2025. However, most people don't know the difference between sterling silver and regular silver.

In this guide, we'll help you understand the difference between sterling silver and regular silver so you can buy with confidence and make an informed decision.

We will discuss the types of silver, buying tips, the benefits of sterling silver, and how to check the quality when buying silver jewelry!

If you are shopping for jewelry and want to know the different types of silver, read on to learn more.

Sterling Silver vs Regular Silver

Although they are often used interchangeably, "silver" and "sterling silver" hold different meanings in the jewelry domain.​​ We will refer to them as pure silver and sterling silver throughout this article. Pure silver is another name for fine silver.​ However, some key differences distinguish the two different types of silver.

Sterling silver is made of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals mixed together.

Metal alloys used in jewelry can include copper, zinc, nickel, and real silver.  Look for the words "925 sterling silver" stamped onto the item to make sure it is real sterling silver.

What Does 925 Mean in Jewelry?

That 925 stamped on the inside of your ring is a sign that it's made of sterling silver.  Specifically, this means that 92.5% of the metal in the jewelry is pure sterling silver!

Benefits of Sterling Silver

Fine silver is a luxurious and valuable metal, yet not ideal for fashion accessories due to its low durability.  Its high purity makes it relatively weak, soft, and malleable.  This means that a pure silver ring can easily dent from the slightest contact with harder surfaces throughout our daily routines.

One of the main benefits is that sterling silver is more durable and stronger than pure silver, making it a great option for better-quality accessories.

Pure Silver

While you may be accustomed to seeing pure silver jewelry in specialty stores, however, it is rare.​ This is because although 100 percent silver appears more valuable than other materials, its softness renders it unsuitable for crafting quality jewelry pieces.

Pure silver, sometimes called fine silver or just plain silver, is a precious metal represented by the symbol Ag on the periodic table.  Its use throughout human civilization has made it one of the most revered metals in history—second only to gold!  Silver's indelible mark on international culture attests to its status as a powerful representation of wealth and prosperity.

If you're looking for pure silver, the best way to find it is by searching through antique items - think flatware, plates, and cutlery.  It's not uncommon to come across tea or coffee sets crafted with actual silver from generations past.

For any item to be considered sterling silver, it must contain 99.9% pure silver and only trace amounts of additional metals (at most 0.01%).

Drawbacks of Pure Silver

Very pure silver is too soft to make jewelry with.  Pure silver is soft, so items made with it are not strong and can be easily damaged.​ It is often mixed with other metals to make sterling silver, which is better for making jewelry because it is harder and more durable.

What Does 999 Mean on Jewelry?

Silver that is labeled as fine will have a stamp on it.  The stamp will say "99.9", ". 999", or "999" which means that it is 99.9% pure silver.

In some cases, such as antiques, the stamp may be hidden beneath crystal inserts or fittings.

So which is more expensive?

Since sterling silver accounts for 92.5% of sterling silver, it is more valuable than sterling silver. However, other criteria such as the quality of craftsmanship of ancient or silver jewelry can also contribute value.

Sterling silver may be seen as priceless, depending on one's view of the item and who previously owned it!

The volatility of the sterling silver and gold markets is unpredictable; ​however, the general price of sterling silver is estimated to be around $17 per ounce. While your jewelry may not bring a great return on investment, that charming tea set may bring even more return because it contains a lot of valuable materials!

Why Choose Sterling Silver Over Pure Silver?

Sterling silver offers an array of advantag

es over pure silver that have already been discussed.  These include heightened robustness and durability, as well as enhanced malleability.

Furthermore, sterling silver is more affordable than its counterpart while also providing a larger selection of products available on the market.Truly, choosing sterling silver has tremendous benefits for interested consumers!

Buying Tips and Quality Checking

When searching for sterling silver or pure silver, look out for the 925 stamps. This indicates that it is genuine solid sterling silver.

However, in more affordable jewelry stores, you can find cheaper pieces with a layer of sterling silver plating over other base metals like copper and brass. Additionally, white gold plating may be found covering a sterling silver base metal too!

If you want to discover beautiful silver jewelry, then come to our store today and find something you like and give it to yourself or your loved one as a gift.