SilverStones

Silver jewelry is another name for sterling silver jewelry. Sterling silver jewelry is 95.5% silver and 4.5% copper; you will see a marking on sterling silver jewelry as .925. The reason copper is added to the silver is to make it hard so when made into jewelry it won’t bend or mark easily. Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver and is marked .999.

You will find silver jewelry that is plated over another type of metal, usually pewter but can be some other metal that has a very thin coating of sterling silver layered over it. This type of jewelry or findings used in making jewelry is usually cheap and sometimes referred to antiqued silver.  This type of silver is good for jewelry that doesn’t get a lot of wear like earrings and necklaces. However, plated sterling silver jewelry is not a good option for rings and bracelets that can get a lot of abuse by being hit or rubbed against objects.

Tags: sterling silver