Looking for your next silver bling?
If you are split between sterling silver and silver jewellery, you should read this guide where we explain each one of them and their differences, helping you decide what to choose.
Wait, what!!! Sterling Silver and Silver are not the same thing?
Yeah, we can see that you spend almost half of your life believing both of them are the same, but they are not. While both of them are silver, they have their fair share of differences that we will uncover in this blog.
Ready, Set, Explore!
The Sparkle of Silver
What is Silver?
Silver is similar in its composition and characteristics to gold and copper. It is a soft and malleable metal that needs to be polished well. It is not as hard as gold so it is often alloyed with other metals to achieve the hardness.
Just like gold, silver is a metal that has been known to humanity since ancient times.
Did You Know?
Back in the day, silver was like that rare gem you could never quite find. It’s more reactive and tougher to extract from its ores compared to gold. That’s why it was rarer and costlier until around 1500 BC when the Egyptians figured out some clever refining methods and made silver a bit more accessible.
Weren’t ancient Egyptians too smart?
Today, silver holds less value than gold, which is more scarce and challenging to mine in large quantities.
So, if silver is silver, what is sterling silver? Let’s understand.
Take a look at our Sterling Silver Necklace.
It is crafted with 925 sterling silver and features shiny green cubic zirconia stones. This silver necklace is a perfect accessory to have.
Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver and is resistant to tarnish to a great extent. But, here’s the catch- it is too soft and malleable to be used for making silver jewellery. This is why it is often allowed with usually 7.5% copper- so, yes, 92.5% is still pure silver.
Now, due to this high percentage of fine silver, you would see that sterling silver jewellery is hallmarked with a 925 stamp as it is referred to as 925 silver.
Mixing with copper makes silver harder and more durable without compromising on colour. Most of the stunning silver pieces you will find in jewellery stores are sterling silver.
If you are wondering if this mixture with copper would expose silver to tarnishing, the answer is, YES. With time, the metal can turn black or dark brown, especially when exposed to moisture and humidity.
But don’t worry- cleaning silver jewellery and eliminating that tarnish is easy. Read our handy guide on how to clean silver jewellery and keep your silver pieces such as these sterling silver earrings shining always.
Sterling silver jewellery is shinier and a great choice for jewellery. The metal is resistant to rust; if you care for it nicely, it will keep shining forever.
While mixing with copper makes silver sturdier, it is still soft for making certain types of jewellery such as expensive gemstone jewellery. Generally, gold and platinum are paired with precious gemstones as they are harder and more durable than sterling silver.
|
Features |
Sterling Silver |
Pure Silver |
|
Composition |
92.5% silver, 7.5% other metals (usually copper) |
99.9% pure silver |
|
Durability |
More durable due to added metals |
Softer and more prone to scratches and damage |
|
Colour |
Bright, shiny, slightly less white than pure silver |
Bright, shiny, and more white in appearance |
|
Tarnish Resistance |
More prone to tarnishing due to copper content |
Less prone to tarnish, but can still tarnish slightly over time |
|
Uses |
Ideal for jewellery, cutlery, and decorative items |
Less common in jewellery; mainly used for investment, coins, and high-end tableware |
|
Price |
More affordable than pure silver |
Higher in price due to higher silver content |
|
Stamp/Marking |
Stamped with "925" to denote 92.5% silver content |
Often stamped with "999" or "Pure Silver” |
|
Malleability |
Less malleable, holds shape well |
Highly malleable, not ideal for intricate or durable designs |
We hope you are now clear of the differences between sterling silver and pure silver.
How to Identify If Your Jewellery is Real Silver?
Determining if the piece you own or are eyeing is real silver or not can be tricky, but fret not, there are certain methods that can help you verify the authenticity of your silver jewellery.
This is the simplest and easiest way to ensure that your silver jewellery is authentic.
- Sterling Silver (925): Look for a hallmark stamped on the jewellery, such as “925”, “Sterling”, or “Sterling Silver”. This indicates the jewellery is made of 92.5% pure silver.
- Fine Silver (999): Pure silver jewellery often has a “999” stamp, indicating 99.9% silver content.
2. Magnet Test
Silver is a non-magnetic metal and will not get attracted to any magnet. If a magnet is attracted to your jewellery, it is most likely not real silver. This is a simple yet effective method of identifying fake silver pieces. This beautiful silver chain with ring pendant by FJewellery will pass the magnet test with flying colours.
3. Nitric Acid Test
Place a small drop of nitric acid on a discreet part of the jewellery. If the acid turns green, it is most likely a base metal. Real silver will turn a creamy white when exposed to nitric acid.
Caution: Be careful when using this testing method. Take the help of a professional, if required.
4. Polishing Test
Rub the jewellery with a soft white cloth. If black marks appear on the cloth, it is a sign of real silver. Silver oxidises and leaves a black residue when polished.
5. Ice Cube Test
Silver has high thermal conductivity, so it should melt an ice cube faster than other metals. To verify if your jewellery is made from real silver, place it on an ice cube and observe how quickly the ice melts. You’ll need some patience for this trick!
6. Sound Test
No, we mean, the silver is not going to speak for itself, but it will make a distinctive ringing sound when struck with a metal object if it is real silver. Fake silver pieces will make a dull sound.
7. Weight and Feel
Silver is denser than many base metals so real silver jewellery tends to feel heavier for its size. If it feels unusually light, it might not be real silver.
8. Professional Testing
If you are still not sure, take your jewellery to a professional jeweller. They can perform tests and provide a definitive answer on whether your jewellery is real silver.
So, now you know how to check the authenticity of your jewellery and verify if the piece you own is real silver or not.
Feeling enlightened? We’re sure you must be and would be scrolling through to find your next silver piece.
But wait, did you come across this beautiful rhodium-plated silver necklace from our Honeycomb Collection?
We can read the confusion on your face. Is rhodium-plated silver real silver? Is it the same as sterling silver? Let’s clear the air.
What is Rhodium-Plated Silver?
It refers to silver jewellery that has been coated with a thin layer of rhodium, a rare durable, and highly reflective metal. Rhodium is part of the platinum family and is famous for its brilliant shine and resistance to tarnish. When silver is plated with rhodium, it gains these protective and aesthetic qualities.
The result is this beautiful piece:
These beautiful rhodium-plated silver hoop earrings are the perfect shiny addition to your collection.
Key Features of Rhodium-Plated Silver:
- Enhanced Shine: Rhodium flaunts a bright, mirror-like finish, which gives rhodium-plated silver jewellery an exceptionally shiny appearance.
- Tarnish Resistance: Silver naturally tarnishes over time, but rhodium plating helps protect the silver underneath, making the jewellery more tarnish-resistant.
- Durability: Since rhodium is a hard metal, plating silver with it adds a layer of scratch resistance.
- Hypoallergenic: Rhodium plating can make silver jewellery more hypoallergenic, which is particularly beneficial for people with sensitive skin.
Lovely, isn’t it?
Is Rhodium-Plated Silver the Same as Sterling Silver?
No, both of them are not the same, although they are related.
- Sterling Silver: This is an alloy composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, typically copper, to boost durability. Sterling silver on its own has a natural shine but is prone to tarnishing over time due to exposure to moisture and air.
- Rhodium-Plated Silver: This is typically sterling silver that has been coated with a thin layer of rhodium. While the base metal is sterling silver, the rhodium plating adds additional properties, such as extra shine and resistance to tarnish. The rhodium coating, however, can wear off with time, especially when used frequently, revealing the sterling silver underneath.
So, rhodium-plated silver is essentially sterling silver that has a protective and shiny coating of rhodium. It does offer additional benefits but requires time-to-time re-plating to maintain its appearance.
Rhodium-Plated Silver Jewellery vs. Sterling Silver Jewellery: Which One Should I Choose?
Confused between the two? We can help you decide your next bling. Here is a comparison of both rhodium-plated silver and sterling silver jewellery:
|
Criteria |
Sterling Silver |
Rhodium-Plated Silver |
|
Durability |
Durable but can tarnish and scratch over time |
Highly durable with a protective, tarnish-resistant coating |
|
Maintenance |
Requires regular cleaning to prevent tarnishing |
Low maintenance, no need for frequent polishing |
|
Appearance |
Classic, natural silver shine |
Extra bright, mirror-like finish, looks like white gold |
|
Longevity |
Long-lasting with proper care |
Plating may wear off over time, requiring re-plating |
|
Price |
Generally more affordable |
Slightly higher cost due to rhodium plating |
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose Sterling Silver if you love the classic, natural look of silver and don’t mind the occasional maintenance. Sterling silver is versatile, affordable, and a timeless choice for everyday wear.
Take a look at this beautiful sterling silver bracelet for women. It is timeless and elegant, versatile enough to be worn on any occasion.
- Choose Rhodium-Plated Silver if you prefer a low-maintenance option with a more polished and high-end appearance. The rhodium plating not only enhances the jewellery’s shine but also offers superior protection against tarnishing, making it an excellent choice if you want your pieces to stay bright and beautiful with minimal effort.
A piece such as this rhodium-plated silver necklace with blue quartz stone from our Simply Silver collection will be a great addition to your collection.
We hope this article helped you understand the difference between sterling silver and pure silver, and also rhodium-plated silver. With this enlightenment, it would be easier for you to decide what should be your next piece.
Before you go away, here is something that we would like to warn you about.
Don’t Fall into This Trap!
You might come across jewellery pieces that are made from nickel silver or German silver. Such pieces are usually cheaper than sterling silver and rhodium-plated silver jewellery. But, let us warn you that these metals do not contain any silver content. So the best solution is to avoid it.
Nickel silver is basically an alloy of copper and nickel and many people are allergic to nickel. German silver contains traces of zinc and all of these can cause skin rashes or other skin allergies.
Even if you don’t have a nickel allergy, we suggest you refrain from buying such pieces, because even if you don’t have a nickel allergy at the moment, you can develop it later. And once you have developed this allergy, there is no going back.
At FJewellery, our jewellery is crafted with 925 sterling silver and rhodium-plated silver and is nickel-free. Explore our collection of silver jewellery that is timeless, classic, unique, versatile, and authentic.