What Is Sterling Silver Jewelry? Sterling silver is defined as silver of 92.5% purity, with the rest being another metal, such as copper. This 7.5% of different metal actually improves the durability of the finished product. It’s not like the jewelry is just plated with silver that will rub off. Benefits Of Sterling Silver There are many benefits of turning fine silver, with about 99.9% pure silver, into sterling silver. This again is done by mixing in 7.5% of another metal: copper, iron or steel. Besides being less soft than pure silver, the alloy allows the items to retain the integrity of their shape. In addition to maintaining the integrity, its less expensive. Keeping It Lustrous The good news is that there are ways to keep sterling silver tarnish free, since alloy metals are more susceptible to tarnish. When buying sterling silver, try rubbing your finger over the metal. If you see smudges on your skin, it will probably get worse over time. Source: www.loveandpieces.com
www.eyeonjewels.com