Sterling Silver vs Silver
Sterling silver is a common name you might have heard in jewelry. But what does it even mean and how is it different from other silver alloys? In this article, we will discuss a full comparison of sterling silver vs silver and important things related to it.
What is Sterling Silver?
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver metal commonly used in silver metal. It is composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of copper by weight. That’s why it is also called as 925 sterling silver. Its usage dates back to the old days of the British times in 1250. In jewelry, it has been in use for different items like rings, necklaces, anklets etc.
What is Pure Silver
Pure silver or simply silver is a metal which is dug out of mines through digging processes. It has a symbol of rich and elite people from centuries. But pure silver cant be used in jewelry making for several reasons. That’s why we use several alloys of silver instead of pure silver.
Why we can’t use Pure Silver?
Pure silver is a soft malleable and ductile metal which will not retain its shape if jewelries are made out it. That’s why it becomes necessary to mix pure silver with some other strong metal like copper to make an alloy. This alloy will then be used in jewelry making. This new alloy will now have different properties from silver with their own pros and cons. Pros include more durability, strength and resistant towards scratches.
There are a number of silver alloys available in the market.
- 925 Sterling Silver
- 935 Argentium Silver
- 940 Argentium Silver
- 950 Silver
Sterling Silver vs Silver – A Detailed Comparison
Here is a detailed comparison of sterling silver vs silver to help you make better purchases. For easiness, we’ll refer to pure silver as silver.
1. Appearance
Silver is a highly reflective metal which resembles high-priced white metals in shine. It is more brighter and lustrous than sterling silver which appear off white in color. Sterling silver’s appearance gives more of a white gold’s looks due to presence of copper. Sometimes, it is often plated with rhodium to get a more shinier and lustrous look. But it all depends on the personal preferences.
If you are one who loves to get white bright lustrous appearance, then sterling silver is not for you. And if you like to get traditional looks, then it can be the right choice for you.
2. Cost
Silver is a relatively inexpensive compared to gold and platinum. There is a minimal difference of cost between silver and sterling silver. So, it will not be a problem if you choose any one of the two in terms of cost. If you go for plating like gold or rhodium, then price can change a bit.
For a non-plated ring made of sterling silver, you can get it for under $60 depending on the weight and complexity of the design.
3. Tarnishing
Tarnishing is a big problem for sterling silver. It is a chemical reaction in which a thick blackish layer is formed over sterling silver. This tarnishing is a property of copper which reacts with atmospheric chemicals to form that layer. Though, this tarnish is not permanent and can be removed by applying commercial chemicals, but it can required periodic cleaning and extra cost.
Silver does not tarnish. As it does not have any copper composition, it is free from any such reactions and corrosion as well.
4. Durability
When it comes to durability, sterling silver stands out. Silver can be easily scratched compared to sterling silver. Apart, it can be more prone to damages like dents and scuffs. On the other hand, sterling silver is also not totally immune to scratches as well. But it can be somewhat resistant to scratches and external damages than silver.
Addition of copper provides sterling silver with better strength and hardness to withstand such damages.
5. Customization
There is a lot of customization options available in sterling silver. A lot of jewelers deal with it. So, you can find numerous unique and complex designs made in sterling silver. This can be a great feature for ones who love uniqueness in their jewelry.
Silver can’t be customized by a great percentage mainly due to its soft and malleable properties.
6. Hypoallergenic
Silver itself is a hypoallergenic metal. But when it is mixed with copper to make sterling silver, it develops little bit properties of non-hypoallergenic metals. Copper itself can react with skin to turn them green or black. Or it can also cause allergies to people with sensitive skins. So, care should always be taken by people with sensitive skins.
It is better to confirm before buying sterling silver whether you have copper allergy or not.
7. Care and Maintenance
Both sterling silver and silver require high maintenance and care. On one side, silver does not tarnish but will get a lot of scratches and damages leading to regular polishing and cleaning activities. Sterling silver will also require same amount of polishing and cleaning activities with an extra cost of tarnishing removal chemicals.
All of these costs will add up if you are going to use these metals on daily basis.
What Should You Buy?
Silver cant be turned into jewelry. So, it leaves you with only sterling silver. It has its pros and cons which might or might not be liked by many. That’s why it is always better to see other options as well. For example, silver also has other alloys like argentium silver and 950 silver which give extra benefits to 925 sterling silver. But if you want to have traditional looks and appearance, sterling silver is the best choice you can have.