What is 925 Sterling Silver
If you go to a jeweler's shop and ask for silver jewelry, chances are that 90% of the times you will be shown 925 sterling silver. Have you observed your silver jewelry? More often than not, you will see .925 stamp on the jewelry. This is when, we question, what does .925 on the silver jewelry mean? Is this a different kind of silver, which comes from a particular part of the world or is 925 sterling silver 'pure' silver, is it silver indeed? So, let us see what is 925 sterling silver.
What is 925 Sterling Silver?
Sterling silver is actually an alloy of silver, which contains 92.5% of silver by weight and 7.5% other metals, normally copper, by weight. The minimum millesimal fineness of 925 is the standard in this silver. When we take fine silver which is 99.9% silver, it is too soft for producing any functional objects. Hence, an alloy of silver and copper is made to give 925 sterling silver jewelry strength. At the same time, it also preserves the ductility and beauty of the precious metal.
Other metals can be used to replace copper, in order to improve various properties of the basic sterling alloy, like reducing casting porosity, eliminating firescale and increasing resistance to tarnish. The replacement metals used include germanium, zinc and platinum. Other additives can also be silicon and boron. Although a number of other alloys have appeared in the recent years, no alloy has been able to replace copper as the industry standard.
Origin of 925 Sterling Silver
The term 'sterling silver' is said to have emerged in England around the 13th century. Both the terms 'sterling' and 'pound sterling' came into prominence over a period of time and from several different sources. The term 'sterling' seems to have come from the Old Norman French esterling, which stands for little star and Old English stiere, which means strong, firm and immovable.
There is another explanation to the term sterling silver, which says that may be initially this silver came to be known as 'Easterling Silver'. It was a term, that was used to refer to the grade of silver, which was originally used as local currency in an area in Germany, which went with the name 'The Easterling'. There were five towns, which were a part of 'Easterling' and were known as Hanseatic League. It engaged in considerable commerce with England. 92.5% silver coins were used to trade for English cattle and grain. Over a period of time England also came to learn, that these coins were of reliably high quality and hardness.
925 Sterling Silver Value
Since pure silver will not hold on its own, some base metals are added to it, when anything has to be made out of it. It is one of the pure form of silver, as it has more than 90% silver in it. Hence, without doubt 925 silver value, may not be the same as pure silver, but it is close to that of pure silver. The 925 sterling silver price per ounce changes almost everyday, depending on the markets, which fall and rise almost on day-to-day basis. It has high value, as it is used, not only to make jewelry, but also in a number of manufacturing process. The silver dollar coin value in the market are also very high, due to the value attached to antiques.
925 sterling silver lasts forever, but you will have to take care of it properly. It is recommended, that it be kept away from sunlight or artificial light and packed in air tight plastic bags, rather in the original packaging itself. This means, it will ensure, that it is less likely to get scratched and damaged, when it is stored. In case, you do not want the 925 silver jewelry item, do not throw it away. Instead take it to your jeweler, who can melt it and make something else for you with the silver.
