What is 925 sterling silver? Everything you need to know
The complete guide to sterling silver: composition, quality, care, and how to identify it
925 silver is the benchmark in fine jewelry for all silver jewelry. But what exactly does this number mean? Why can't jewelry be made from pure silver? And how can you be sure that the jewelry you're buying is really 925 silver? Here are the complete answers.
Why pure silver cannot be used in jewelry
Pure silver (999 thousandths silver) is a remarkably beautiful metal but too soft to be used as is in jewelry. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is 2.5 to 3, which makes it a metal that scratches and deforms easily when in contact with everyday objects. A pure silver ring, worn daily, would deform in a few weeks.
To remedy this problem, jewelers alloy silver with other metals (mainly copper) to increase its resistance without altering its aesthetic qualities. The most common and recognized alloy is 925 silver.
The number 925: what exactly does it mean?
The number 925 indicates the proportion of pure silver in the alloy: 925 thousandths, or 92.5%. The remaining 7.5% is mainly copper, sometimes supplemented by zinc or germanium depending on the alloy recipes. This alloy, called sterling silver, is hard enough to withstand daily wear while maintaining the beautiful white luster characteristic of silver.
This 925 thousandths standard is internationally recognized as the reference for fine silver jewelry. Below this purity (for example, 800 or 850 thousandths), it is referred to as table silver or silverware, used for cutlery and dishes, but not compliant with fine jewelry standards.
The hallmark: the signature of authenticity
In France and many European countries, 925 silver jewelry must bear a hallmark, affixed by an assay office. This hallmark (often visible on the clasp of a necklace or inside a ring) is the legal guarantee that the piece of jewelry contains 92.5% pure silver.
On my jewelry, this hallmark is systematically present. This is one of the marks of transparency and quality that I have imposed on myself since the brand's beginnings.
Why does 925 silver tarnish?
The tarnishing of sterling silver is due to the chemical reaction of the copper present in the alloy with sulfides present in the air, perspiration, and certain cosmetic products. This reaction produces copper sulfide, a dark layer that gradually forms on the surface.
This phenomenon is perfectly natural and by no means indicates that the jewelry is of poor quality. On the contrary, jewelry that tarnishes is often a sign that it is indeed sterling silver (cheap alloys react differently). Oxidation can be easily treated with a silver polishing cloth or a homemade cleaning method.
925 silver and sensitive skin
Sterling silver is generally very well tolerated by sensitive skin. The proportion of copper (7.5%) is low enough not to cause allergic reactions in the vast majority of wearers. In contrast, cheap costume alloys (which may contain nickel, lead, or other allergenic metals) are often the cause of skin reactions.
For particularly sensitive individuals, a 925 sterling silver piece of jewelry is almost always safer than an unidentified metal piece.
How to recognize genuine 925 silver?
- Look for the hallmark: 925 or "Sterling" engraved on the jewelry.
- Test with a magnet: silver is not magnetic. Jewelry that sticks to a magnet is not silver.
- Observe the tarnishing: sterling silver tarnishes slowly and uniformly. Jewelry that loses its color in patches or reveals a golden metal underneath is plated, not solid.
- Trust transparent brands: with me, the composition of each piece of jewelry is clearly indicated.
925 silver in my creations
All my jewelry is designed in 925 sterling silver. This is a deliberate choice consistent with the brand's philosophy: a noble, durable, traceable, internationally recognized metal, and accessible enough to allow a wide clientele to acquire a piece of real quality jewelry. The gold-plated versions, on the other hand, are plated with 24-carat fine gold on this same sterling silver base, an additional guarantee of quality.
