Know your silver
A guide to 925 silver
What 925 sterling silver is, how it differs from fine silver, and what plating and oxidising mean.
Pure silver is beautiful but too soft to keep its shape as a ring or a chain. Sterling silver solves that: it is 92.5% silver alloyed with 7.5% of other metals, usually copper, which makes it strong enough to wear every day.
925 or 999?
| 925 sterling | 999 fine silver | |
|---|---|---|
| Silver content | 92.5% | 99.9% |
| Strength | Holds settings and shape | Soft; bends and scratches |
| Best for | Rings, chains, earrings | Coins, bars, idols |
How to check purity
- Look for the "925" stamp, usually inside a ring band or on a clasp
- Every product page lists purity and net silver weight
- Real silver is not magnetic
Finishes
- Silver: polished sterling silver
- Rose gold and gold plated: sterling silver with a thin layer of gold on top
- Oxidised: silver deliberately darkened in the recesses to bring out the detail
Why silver darkens
Silver reacts with sulphur in the air, sweat and some cosmetics, forming a thin dark layer called tarnish. It is natural, harmless and easy to polish away — our care guide shows how.