When it comes to jewelry, real sterling silver is a name that is often tossed around. But what does it really mean? Real sterling silver is an alloy of silver and copper, with a minimum of 92.5% silver. The term “sterling” comes from the Old English word steorling, meaning “little star”. The use of sterling silver in jewelry can date back to the Bronze Age. Today, 925 sterling silver remains a popular choice for jewelry because of its beauty and durability.
When shopping for silver jewelry, it is important to know the difference between plated silver and real sterling silver. Plated silver is a layer of silver that has been applied to a cheaper base metal such as brass or copper. Real sterling silver is made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper.
The difference in price between plated and real sterling silver jewelry can be significant. Real sterling silver jewelry is more expensive because the cost of pure silver alone is more than the cost of the base metals used in plated jewelry.
Look to see if there is a 925 stamp or conduct a magnet test to guarantee you’re getting real sterling silver. Magnets have no effect on silver so if you find that the jewelry is attracted to the magnet, then it will be clear to see that it is not made of 925 sterling silver.
