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Sterling silver is a real silver alloy containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, typically copper.
The term “sterling” originated from 12th-century England’s “Easterling” silver coins valued for their durability. To calculate sterling silver’s melt value, multiply the item’s weight by the current silver spot price, then by 0.925.
However, sterling silver collectibles often sell for much more than their melt value at auctions, with some flatware sets fetching thousands of dollars.
Over 95% of modern silver jewelry is made from sterling silver due to its beauty, durability, and affordability. While fine silver bullion (.999 purity) is more common for investment, sterling silver bullion exists but is rarer.
Sterling silver is generally hypoallergenic, non-magnetic (diamagnetic), and tarnishes over time due to its copper content. The copper also causes harmless green skin discoloration from oxidation.
- What is Sterling Silver (Definition and Meaning)? Is it a Real Silver Alloy?
- What is the Melt Value of Sterling Silver? Is it Worth Anything?
- Is There Jewelry Made From Sterling Silver?
- Is There Bullion Made from Sterling Silver?
- Is Sterling Silver Hypoallergenic or Allergenic?Â
- Is Sterling Silver Magnetic?
- Does Sterling Silver Tarnish?
Table of Contents
What is Sterling Silver (Definition and Meaning)? Is it a Real Silver Alloy?
Sterling silver is a silver alloy that’s 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. It’s a real type of silver and high-quality, durable, and malleable metal that’s often used to make jewelry and other accessories.
Sterling silver alloy originates from12th-century England where it was perfected during the reign of King Henry II.
The term “sterling” originated from “Easterling” silver coins, which were favored for their durability.
What is the Melt Value of Sterling Silver? Is it Worth Anything?
The melt value of sterling silver depends on the current silver market price which fluctuates from moment to moment based on the demand/supply interplay.
To determine the worth of your .925 silver item first you need to measure its weight.
Next, multiply the weight by the silver spot price and then by 0.925 (for 92.5% purity) to get the melt value.
For example, let’s say the current price of silver is $2.5 per gram. And your .925 silver object weighs 28 grams.
The exact worth of that .925 silver item would be $2.5 x 28 x 0.928=$64.75.
Sterling silver is worth much more when sold as collectible items. Some .925 items sell for hundreds of dollars at auctions when their melt value is several time less.
The value there isn’t in the silver content, but in the perceived value of the piece as a whole.
This is most easily noticeable with valuable sterling silver flatware sets where some of them have fetched thousand of dollars at auctions.
Take a look at the examples below.
Is There Jewelry Made From Sterling Silver?
Yes, there’s jewelry made from sterling silver. In fact, nowadays >95% of all silver jewelry is made from sterling silver, and only 5% is made from all other silver alloys combined.
Sterling silver is a popular choice for jewelry due to its blend of beauty, durability, and affordability. 92.5% pure silver makes the alloy almost entirely made of silver and 7.5% copper gives the alloy strength and durability without impacting silver’s inherent shine.
Here’re some examples of sterling silver jewelry.
Is There Bullion Made from Sterling Silver?
Yes, there’s bullion made from sterling silver.Â
However, it’s relatively uncommon compared to bullion made from .999 silver (fine silver).
Most silver bullion is made from highest purity silver possible (.999) and this is the type of silver someone like you can buy and store it in their home or as part of their silver IRA account.
.925 silver bullion is mostly made as per order for investor and collectors who like to own something unique.
Note: are you interested in purchasing genuine silver bullion? You need to work with a reputable U.S. gold investment company so you don’t fall for one of the many gold IRA scams.
I recommend you get in touch with Augusta Precious Metals. They’re a legit company with pristine online customer reviews that will help you get things moving in the right direction.
Is Sterling Silver Hypoallergenic or Allergenic?Â
Sterling silver is hypoallergenic and safe for most people to wear. It’s not allergenic.
However, it’s not all roses when it comes to sterling silver’s allergenic properties.
Copper within the sterling silver alloy can react with the skin of humans who’re sensitive to this metal.
Cheap and especially fake sterling silver are often contaminated with zinc and nickel particles. These two base metals are known metal allergens that prevent too many people from fully enjoying their jewelry.
For example, here’s someone who bought a supposedly quality sterling silver necklace. However, their new jewelry immediately stated giving them skin rashes and burns.
The person had the jewelry tested and found it’s contaminated with microscopic nickel particles. And of course this person has a life long nickel allergy.
Is Sterling Silver Magnetic?
Yes, sterling silver is non-magnetic. Silver is a diamagnetic metal and won’t respond to a strong magnet even when said magnet is pressed against it.
In fact, testing silver with magnets is an easy way to tell if something is real silver or not. It’s not genuine sterling silver if the silver item attaches to your magnet.
Does Sterling Silver Tarnish?
Yes, sterling silver tarnishes over time.
Sterling silver tarnishes because of the 7.5% copper within its alloy. Copper is alloyed with silver to make sterling silver more durable, but it also makes it more susceptible to tarnishing.
Read here my detailed guide on sterling silver’s tarnishing properties (+ how to prevent tarnish from creeping in on your sterling silver jewelry).
Note: sterling silver has a curious effect on human skin. It
Sterling silver turns human skin green. It’s a curious effect on human skin that happens because of the 7.5% copper content in its alloy.
Copper oxidizes and forms harmless skin-staining copper salts when it reacts with moisture, sweat, oils, and various chemicals. This natural reaction isn’t harmful and you can wash it off easily with soap and warm water.
What is Sterling Silver? Is it Real Silver (Conclusion)?
Sterling silver is a real silver alloy, typically composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper.
Over 95% of modern silver jewelry is made from this alloy, which is also sometimes used for bullion, although .999 purity is more common.
Sterling silver is generally hypoallergenic and non-magnetic, but its copper content causes it to tarnish over time, sometimes leaving harmless green marks on the skin from oxidation.
References:
- Sterling silver- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterling_silver
- The Low Down on Sterling Silver: What is Sterling Silver .925 and How to Care for it- https://rellery.com/blogs/news/the-low-down-on-sterling-silver-what-is-sterling-silver-925-and-how-to-care-for-it
- Regular Silver vs. 925 Sterling Silver–What’s the Difference?- https://www.qevon.com/blogs/q-lifestyle/regular-silver-vs-925-sterling-silver-what-s-the-difference
- Sterling Silver v Silver Plated:
What’s the difference?- https://www.monicavinader.com/us/our-blog/silver-plated-vs-sterling-silver - What is Sterling Silver Jewelry? How is it Different to Silver?- https://simonewalsh.com/blogs/handmade-jewellery/all-about-sterling-silver
- Is sterling silver the same as 925 silver?- https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelry/comments/19ev1bk/is_sterling_silver_the_same_as_925_silver/
- What Is Sterling Silver?- https://www.bluenile.com/education/metal/silver
- What is sterling silver?- https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-sterling-silver
- Sterling silverware in dishwasher?- https://orchid.ganoksin.com/t/sterling-silverware-in-dishwasher/38642
- Lot 163: SET OF TWELVE OF EACH HALLMARKED STERLING SILVER OLD ENGLISH PATTERN TABLE AND DESSERT SPOONS, MARRIED SET, ALL BY WILLIAM EATON, LONDON, DATES FROM THE GEORGIAN PERIOD, TOTAL WEIGHT 1095G- https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/set-of-twelve-of-each-hallmarked-sterling-silver-163-c-0909bb5af4
- Lot 16: Buccellati 925 Sterling Silver Flatware SET 5,996g- https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/buccellati-925-sterling-silver-flatware-set-5-996g-16-c-ea37a9e39f
- What to do for Sterling silver allergy- https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelry/comments/1ehe9t0/what_to_do_for_sterling_silver_allergy/
- .925 Sterling Silver – Private Mints (Bars and/or Rounds)- https://www.apmex.com/product/221/-925-sterling-silver-private-mints-bars-and-or-rounds
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.
