What Are the Differences Between 925 Silver or Sterling Silver?

Did you know that the first evidence of mining silver goes back to 3000 BC? If you are in the market for new jewelry and are wondering what the difference is between 925 Silver and sterling silver, you are in the right place. We have put together this short guide as a reference to share the main differences. 

Keep reading to learn more to help make your shopping easier. 

What Is the Main Difference Between 925 Silver and Sterling Silver?

Honestly, there is no difference between 925 silver and sterling silver. They are different names for the same silver alloy. Silver on its own is way too soft to be used in jewelry, which is why it is mixed in with other metals. 

Combining it helps create a more durable metal. For example, 92.5% of pure silver that is mixed with 7.5% of other metals such as zinc, nickel, or copper leaves you with sterling silver. Once this combination occurs the piece of jewelry is stamped with a 925 in a hidden part of the jewelry. 

Purity

Whether you get a silver ring or a silver chain the purity of the silver is based on a scale of 1,000. When silver is pure it gets a 999 rating and for it to be called sterling silver it has to have at least 92.5 purity which is also known as 925. This is why a 925 silver ring or a 925 silver chain means that both of those pieces have at least a 92.5 silver purity. 

If the pieces ever have less than 92.5 percent silver then this means that they can’t be classified as sterling silver. You can learn even more info here. 

Things to Know While You Are Shopping

Although there is no difference between sterling silver and 925 silver the word silver is a bit complex. It should always be marked with a standard grade and quality instead of being used as simply a label. While you are shopping make sure to ALWAYS look for the hallmark because by law artisans have to stamp their pieces for buyers. 

If you ever come across a piece that is called silver but does not have a stamp, do not buy it. This probably means that it is low quality metal with a coat of sterling silver to make it look like silver. Eventually this coating will wear off and the metal can irritate the skin. 

Your skin can even end up with an allergic reaction. 925 silver is hypoallergenic so, you do not have to worry about getting an allergy or ending up with an infection in your earring holes. 

Feeling Like a Silver Pro?

We hope that now that you know the major differences between 925 Silver and sterling silver, you can make an informed decision on which type you prefer. 

Did you find this article helpful? Keep browsing the rest of this section for some more of our jewelry tips and tricks.