What Is Sterling Silver?
Sterling silver is an alloy containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper). It's the most common silver alloy used in jewelry, flatware, and decorative items worldwide. The "925" stamp you see on silver items indicates sterling silver purity.
How to Identify Sterling Silver
- Look for hallmarks: "925", "STER", "STERLING", or a lion passant (UK)
- Sterling silver is slightly harder than fine silver due to the copper content
- It tarnishes more readily than fine silver
- A magnet test can help — silver is not magnetic
For a deeper dive, read our guide: What Is Sterling Silver?