Buying guides
925 Sterling Silver Jewellery: What It Is and Why It's Worth It
Updated · 2 min read
Quick answer
925 sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The '925' stamp guarantees that silver content. It is real silver, harder than pure silver so it holds its shape for everyday wear, affordable compared with gold, and easy to clean when it tarnishes.
What does '925' mean?
The number is the silver content in parts per thousand: 925 out of 1,000 parts are pure silver. Pure (fine) silver is too soft for most jewellery, so a small amount of copper or another metal is added for strength. Look for a '925' or 'Sterling' stamp, usually on the clasp or inside a ring.
The benefits of sterling silver
- Real precious metal: solid silver all the way through, not a coating.
- Durable: strong enough for rings, chains and earrings worn every day.
- Affordable: far less expensive than gold, so you can build a collection.
- Versatile: bright and cool-toned, it suits casual and formal looks and mixes well with other metals.
- Easy to care for: tarnish is normal and comes off with a polishing cloth — see how to clean sterling silver.
Sterling silver vs other metals
- Silver-plated: a thin silver layer over a base metal that can wear off. Sterling is solid silver.
- Gold-plated sterling silver (gold vermeil): a gold layer over sterling silver — the look of gold on a precious-metal base. Treat it gently and avoid abrasive cleaning.
- Stainless steel: very tough and inexpensive, but not a precious metal.
- Solid gold (9k, 14k, 18k): the most durable and valuable choice, and it does not tarnish like silver. Compare karats in our gold guide or explore Fine Jewellery.
Is sterling silver good for sensitive skin?
Many people with sensitive skin wear sterling silver comfortably. Reactions to jewellery are most often caused by nickel, so check the product description and look for nickel-free pieces if you have a known allergy. If your skin is very sensitive, solid gold is usually the safest choice.
How to make sterling silver last
Put it on after perfume and creams, take it off for swimming and the gym, and store pieces separately in a dry pouch. Wearing silver often actually helps keep it bright.
Frequently asked questions
What does 925 mean on jewellery?
It means the piece is sterling silver: 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper.
Is 925 sterling silver real silver?
Yes. It is solid silver throughout — the small amount of added metal simply makes it stronger.
Does 925 silver tarnish?
It can darken over time when exposed to air and moisture, but tarnish is easily removed with a polishing cloth or gentle cleaning.
Can you shower with sterling silver?
It won't be ruined, but water, soap and chlorine speed up tarnishing, so it's best to remove it.
First published by the Azure Chic team in Limassol, Cyprus. Questions? Email sales@azurechic.com.
