Jewellery made from this precious material is 92.5% pure silver – hence it's sometimes referred to as "925 silver" or ".925 sterling silver". The other 7.75% is usually made from copper.
"Why not 100% silver?" you may ask? The simple answer is because 100% pure silver is far too malleable and soft for the production of silver jewellery or other functional objects.
By adding a small amount of copper strength is added but the metal is still precious and ductile, i.e. it can be bent and formed into an exquisite jewellery. Also resistance to tarnish is increased – other metals can be used instead of copper and include, germanium, zinc and platinum. Research is ongoing in this area to find the optimum solution.
Where does the term "sterling silver" come from?
The phrase "sterling silver" arose in England in the 13th century AD, in reference to the .925 grade of silver. "Sterling" is believed to come from the Old Norman French esterlin (meaning little star) and Old English stiere (strong, firm, immovable).
Is sterling silver hallmarked?
Yes. All sterling silver jewellery should be hallmarked – you should not purchase any silver jewellery which is not hallmarked. The type of stamp or hallmark on sterling silver jewellery will vary depending on where in the world the item is sourced. For more information on this and about sterling silver in general please visit these online resources: