Demystifying Sterling Silver: What You Need to Know
Ever wondered what sterling silver actually is? When looking for silver jewellery it can often be confusing knowing what to go for, what to trust and what you’re actually ending up with. This is especially true when buying from an unknown source but is also true of big high street brands.
I’m sure ‘sterling silver’ is a name you’re familiar with, but not everyone knows what it actually is and why it’s the perfect choice for jewellery… I’m here to help with a few insights…
A little bit of background
Silver is a precious metal which actually dates back over 5000 years. It was originally used as currency, in jewellery and in medical tools.
These days it’s highly sought after and as well as jewellery it’s also used in lots of other industries including medicine, electronics, dentistry, solar energy, photography, batteries and loads more!
Silver was actually once considered more valuable than gold due to its importance in trade. The demand for silver continues to rise at a higher rate than its production, and as a result, the price of silver will continue to rise. (So it’s a great time to invest)!
Sterling silver is considered hypoallergenic making it much safer for sensitive skin… particularly close contact jewellery like earrings.
What is sterling silver?
Fine silver is a soft precious metal (99.9% silver) and whilst it’s beautiful it’s not very practical for everyday wear. It dents, bends and scratches very easily so in the jewellery industry we tend to use an alloy- which is basically a mix of metals. If you’ve ever seen the numbers ‘925’ on your silver it means it has been marked as sterling. The 925 refers to the percentage of silver it contains (92.5%). The remaining 7.5% of sterling is usually copper which gives it strength and durability, making it perfect for jewellery.
The confusion with this is anyone can mark metal with ‘925’ meaning you don’t always necessarily know what you’re getting. UK law states that any piece of silver jewellery weighing over 7.78g must be hallmarked by one of the UK’s 4 assay offices. (You can find out more about hallmarks from the Edinburgh Assay office website). It’s a common trap for people to feel they’re getting a good deal when they find a mass-produced ‘silver’ piece of jewellery only to later discover the ‘silver’ is either plated with an unknown metal underneath, or a different metal entirely. Sterling silver is considered hypoallergenic due to its low copper content so makes a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin.
Sterling vs. The Rest
It can be a bit confusing with all the different types of silver out there! Here's a quick breakdown to help you understand the differences:
FINE SILVER: (99.9% Pure Silver): As mentioned, this is nearly pure silver. It's very soft and malleable, making it ideal for certain intricate crafting techniques where extreme flexibility is needed, but it's generally too soft for everyday jewellery.
SILVER PLATED: This refers to a very thin layer of silver applied over a base metal (like copper or brass). While it offers an affordable way to get the look of silver, the plating can wear off over time, revealing the base metal underneath.
VERMEIL: (pronounced ‘ver-may’): This is a specific type of gold plating. It involves a thick layer of gold (at least 2.5 microns) applied over sterling silver. So, you're getting the quality base of sterling silver with a beautiful gold finish. It's great if you love the look of gold but want something more durable and higher quality than standard gold plating.
So… why choose sterling silver from Cocobelle?
If you’re on the lookout for jewellery that not only looks beautiful but made for everyday wear, sterling silver is a brilliant choice. I predominately use recycled sterling silver in my pieces and will always hallmark when required as well as on those extra special one-of-a-kind pieces, so you can always feel confident knowing exactly what you’re wearing. If you’d like to explore the current pieces I have available and find the perfect little treasure for you, you can take a look here:
I hope this helped clear up some of the mystery around silver! If you ever have questions, feel free to drop me a message- I’m always happy to chat.