Sterling Silver: Ultimate Guide and Everything You Need to Know!

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Sterling silver…

What it is, what it does and what it can do for you.

I’ve compiled in my ultimate guide all the question people like you have about sterling silver.

Feel free to jump ahead via these jump links.

Sterling Silver: Ultimate Guide and Everything You Need to Know!
Sterling Silver: Ultimate Guide and Everything You Need to Know!

What is Sterling Silver (Definition and Meaning)?

Definition: sterling silver is a metal alloy that’s 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. It’s a high-quality, durable, and malleable metal that’s often used to make jewelry and other accessories.

Is Sterling Silver Pure Silver? What’s the Difference Between Sterling silver and Pure Silver?

No, sterling silver is not pure silver, but it’s made up of a large percentage of silver.

Pure silver (also known as fine silver), is 99.9% pure silver. Pure silver is extremely soft and malleable, which makes it difficult to use in jewelry making.  Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, (usually nickel, copper or zinc). It’s more durable and resistant to wear and tear than pure silver, making it a popular choice for jewelry.

Sterling silver is also more affordable than white gold or platinum and looks almost identical to these two precious metals.

When Does Sterling Silver Turn Green?

Sterling silver can turn green when moisture or sweat reacts with the copper in the alloy. This can happen fairly quickly, especially in hot, humid climates, or if you have moist skin.

It also happens over long periods of time during which sterling silver develops verdigris. For example, in this Reddit post someone bought a sterling silver broch from 1907 which has maintained it’s silvery glow with a little bit of verdigris on the underside of the piece.

Sterling silver broch with a little bit of verdigris.
Sterling silver broch with a little bit of verdigris.

Is Sterling Silver Hypoallergenic? Is it Possible to Be Allergic to Sterling Silver?

Yes, sterling silver is generally hypoallergenic and safe for most people to wear.

However, some sterling silver items, especially jewelry, can cause allergic reaction in some people.

People who are allergic to nickel may experience allergic reactions to sterling silver, as sterling silver often contains nickel.

You should be careful if you have a family history of nickel allergies. This also applies if you work with metal or have ear or body piercings.

You’ll know if you have nickel allergy as symptoms include itching, redness, swelling, or a rash where the silver touches the skin. The rash will appear in the same place where the jewelry touched the skin.
Zinc is commonly alloyed with silver to make sterling silver and it’s also possible to be allergic to zinc.

Most zinc allergies manifest as contact dermatitis, meaning skin irritation occurs when zinc touches the skin. This is often seen in products containing zinc oxide like some sunscreens or topical ointments but it can happen with sterling silver jewelry.

If you’re worried you might be allergic to zinc go to a doctor who’ll  perform a simple patch test on you.

Symptoms of a zinc allergy include redness, itching, swelling, blisters, and rashes at the contact site.

Knowing whether you’re allergic to nickel and zinc is important because if you are you won’t be able to wear sterling silver jewelry.

That said, sterling silver is generally hypoallergenic  and most people won’t ever have allergic reactions to it.

Does Sterling Silver Change Under Exposure (Does it Rust, Tarnish and Corrode)?

Sterling silver changes under pressure. But it changes differently based on circumstances.

Sterling silver doesn’t rust. Rusting is a process that occurs when iron or steel is exposed to oxygen and moisture. But sterling silver is not made of iron. Instead, it’s an alloy mostly made of pure silver some other metal.

As for tarnishing, sterling silver does tarnish when silver comes into contact with sulfur-containing gases, which are found in air molecules, water, wool, felt, and more.

You can read the guide I linked above to learn when and why sterling silver tarnishes.

As for corroding, sterling silver doesn’t corrode.

Is Sterling Silver Waterproof? Can Sterling Silver Get Wet?

No, sterling silver is not waterproof. While a small amount of water won’t immediately damage sterling silver, prolonged exposure to water cause sterling silver to tarnish and lose its shine.

Not being waterproof is the main reason I don’t recommend testing silver with water to see if it’s real or fake.

Basically, you should remove any silver jewelry before you go under shower. One time won’t hurt, but since you shower daily your silver ring, or bracelet or necklace will tarnish really fast under frequent water exposure.

Is Sterling Silver Non-Magnetic?

Yes, sterling silver is non-magnetic. Sterling silver is a diamagnetic metal and will not 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. If the silver item attaches to the magnet then it’s not genuine sterling silver.

Does Sterling Silver Turn Skin and Fingers Green?

Yes, sterling silver sometimes turn your skin green, particularly on your fingers underneath rings made of sterling silver. This green discoloration happens due to a chemical reaction between the copper alloy in the silver and the skin’s natural acids, especially when exposed to sweat or moisture;

This green discoloration is a common occurrence and is harmless.

For example, this girl on Reddit claims her 925 sterling silver ring turned her finger green after wearing it. Other Redditors responded with advice, including how wearing the sterling silver ring consistently will cause the body to acclimate and the green hue will disappear.

Does Sterling Silver Turn Skin and Fingers Green?
Does Sterling Silver Turn Skin and Fingers Green?

 

What are the Common Use Cases for Sterling Silver?

Sterling silver is a popular choice for jewelry because it’s affordable compared to gold and platinum, and it has a stunning luster. It’s also hypoallergenic, making it a good choice for people with sensitive skin.

Sterling silver is also a popular choice for flatware, serving utensils, and decorative tableware because it’s completely resistant to corrosion and highly resistant to tarnish.

Sterling silver is also used in picture frames, vases, candlesticks, and other home décor items because it’s malleable, allowing artisans to create intricate designs.

Finally, some manufacturers use sterling silver for brasswind instruments like the flute and saxophone.

Note: sterling silver can also be made into coins and bars and sold to interested precious metal investors. We’re talking about owning physical silver bullion and storing it at your home instead of in a gold IRA depository. And we’re not talking about silver IRAs because only IRA-eligible silver bullion can be a part of gold IRA account.

Augusta Precious Metals sell IRA-approved silver coins and bars
Augusta Precious Metals sell IRA-approved silver coins and bars

What is Sterling Silver (Conclusion)?

I hope you enjoyed my guide on sterling silver. It’s now over so leave your thoughts below.

Thank you!

References:

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.

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