Sterling silver is a metal alloy created by combining 92.5% pure silver (also known as "Ag" on the Periodic Table of the Elements) with 7.5% other metals, usually copper or platinum. The industry standard for Sterling silver has a minimum millesimal fineness of .925 (meaning 92.5% pure silver). The minimum millesimal fineness of a metal is determined using a system which denotes the purity of silver, gold and platinum alloys by parts per thousand of pure metal by mass in the alloy. This is why you see Sterling silver being stamped ".925". 

What is the meaning of the term Sterling? The definition sterling refers to the fineness and quality of the silver. How do you define pure? Pure silver is simply the element silver. In order to use the precious metal for jewelry, pure silver must be blended with a metal alloy. Why? It's because pure silver is incredibly soft.

What precisely does Sterling Silver in its common usage mean?

Sterling Silver means that the metal alloy (blend) contains 92.5% pure silver. The reason for making .925 Sterling Silver an alloy out of silver is that in its purest form, silver is quite soft, or "malleable". This makes it problematic for jewelry craftsmanship as pure silver will dent, scratch, and bend easily. Sterling Silver is significantly more durable, because it is a silver alloy, optimal for ideal jewelry.

What is .925 Sterling Silver?

.925 Sterling silver refers to the silver alloy created by blending pure silver with copper or another metal. Pure silver is non-reactive; however, blending it with copper makes it more susceptible to craftsmanship and durability. This means it is prone to tarnishing, so metals other than copper can be used to reduce tarnishing. In the U.S., all Sterling Silver must be stamped as such.

While .925 Sterling silver will tarnish with exposure to oxygen, it can easily be polished without damaging the metal itself. What makes it so desirable is that even major tarnishing can easily be polished away to reveal a beautiful silver base. It is also lightweight and has good value retention in the marketplace.

How is Sterling Silver polished and cleaned?

When a silver polishing cloth is not sufficient, there are other, simple ways to clean your .925 Sterling Silver jewelry. If you don't plan to immediately wear it, you can use silver jewelry dip, a tarnish remover cream, or a heavy-duty polishing cloth. These are easily obtained, online. 

How is Sterling Silver made?

.925 Sterling Silver is made by combining pure silver with a metal, to create a silver alloy that is 92.5% pure silver. Potential metal alloys mixed with the pure silver include copper, zinc, or tin. Sometimes Sterling silver will be coated, or "finished", with a layer of Rhodium for extra shine and protection.

Are Sterling Silver earrings hypoallergenic? 

Yes. Sterling silver is hypoallergenic and non-reactive. Both pure silver and copper--the most common alloy in Sterling Silver--are pure metals which will not create allergic reactions. When combined together in a silver alloy to make .925 Sterling Silver, the alloy is, similarly, hypoallergenic. 

Does Sterling Silver tarnish?

Over time, Sterling silver will tarnish, due to the presence of copper. However, tarnishing will not ruin your silver pieces. How do you define tarnish? Tarnishing is discoloration on a metal from the exposure to ozone or sulfur. If your jewelry is heavily tarnished or if you need to remove tarnish from chains and intricate designs, there are some methods to deal with heavy tarnish.

Steps to clean at home:

1. Line a shallow pan with foil. 

2. Pour boiling water into the pan.

3. Add 1 part baking soda and 1 part salt to the water. (For small batches of silver jewelry 1-2 tbsp should be sufficient)

4. Place your silver pieces in the solution on top of the foil.

5. Allow pieces to soak for up to 15 minutes. Watch the tarnishing disappear!

6. Remove your jewelry when water has cooled and dry them with a soft cloth.

Now wear them with style and enjoy your new shining Sterling silver pieces!

Does Sterling Silver rust?

No. Rusting is actually an entirely different process than tarnishing. Only iron truly rusts when it is exposed to oxygen. Unlike Rust with iron, tarnishing will not ruin silver. If you have a silver piece that appears to be rusting, it is likely not genuine Sterling silver (check for that ".925" stamp).

Can Sterling Silver get wet?

Water will not ruin Sterling Silver. However, the more often it gets wet the faster it tarnishes. As we’ve covered, tarnishing isn’t actually as bad as it seems. But to avoid constantly cleaning and polishing your Sterling silver jewelry then keep it low maintenance by avoiding water when possible. Take special care to avoid corrosive agents present in hot tub or ocean water.

Why does Sterling Silver go black?

When Sterling Silver turns black, this is called tarnishing. .925 Sterling Silver naturally tarnishes black over time. Thankfully, cleaning and polishing your Sterling Silver jewelry will return it quickly back to shine. 

Pure Silver vs. Sterling Silver

Pure silver crystal. Pure silver is simply too soft a metal from which to craft jewelry. Distinguish this texture from Sterling Silver, a 92.5% silver alloy.

[Source: Wikipedia]

Sterling silver, as we’ve learned, is actually an alloy of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, such as copper. Pure silver is simply too soft to make jewelry out of. Blending pure silver with other metals to make it the .925 Sterling Silver strengthens the silver alloy and makes it ideal for crafting jewelry.

How to determine if jewelry is truly Sterling Silver?

All Sterling Silver jewelry is typically stamped as such, in the U.S. Here’s a fun fact: take your Sterling silver and press it into an ice cube. Silver is an excellent conductor of heat and will melt ice very quickly. Try it out at your next party and impress all your friends. 

Sterling Silver has always made trustworthy and stunning jewelry. It’s easy to polish, clean, and maintain, and makes a great base metal for fine jewelry. It’s an excellent alternative to more expensive options like white gold or platinum, with the same luxurious feel. Sterling Silver is an affordable, beautiful, and lightweight metal that makes timeless everyday jewelry.