Library Post - What is Sterling Silver?

You’ve heard the term “Sterling Silver”, typically when referring to fine dining flatware, serving pieces or quality jewelry, but what exactly is sterling silver?

Sterling silver is an alloy (a combination of metals) containing 92.5% of pure silver and 7.5% of other metals.  Typically the other metal selected for the alloy is copper.  Fine silver as compared to sterling silver is 99.9% pure silver and considered too soft for large pieces and implements. Sterling silver as it is stronger is the preferred metal for silver jewelry, flatware, and quality silver serving pieces and decorative items.

In recent years, alloys other than copper have appeared being used with silver.  Some of these alloys are being made from zinc, platinum, germanium and include other elements such as silicon or boron. These new alloys have appeared in an effort to find a combination that inhibits tarnish which is the bane of any sterling silver owner. Copper however, continues even to this day, in being the preferred alloy for sterling silver manufacture.

The term sterling silver originated in northern Germany in the 12th century. At this time, the term sterling received its meaning from possibly several sources:  (1) the purity level of 92.5% pure silver, (2) possibly from the term of sterling in regards the common name of coins of the time, or (3) from sterling meaning sturdy, firm, or immovable. Regardless of how the term sterling has come to us through the years, today the term sterling silver simply denotes quality and that a 92.5% purity of silver has been used in a creation of the product.

All sterling silver will tarnish over time when exposed to the air through a simple oxidation process. Sterling silver is still considered the best precious metal for decorative and quality serving products such as coffee sets, decorative bowls, elegant dining flatware, serving pieces, and pitchers.

If you have silver pieces in your cabinet that no longer hold their decorative charm, appear dated, are unusable due to breakage, or sterling silver jewelry that you no longer cherish, now’s the time to consider contacting Cash for Silver for a free appraisal of the silver value. We make it easy to turn your quality silver pieces into cash! Find out how to send your silver to us and get a free quote. We’ll even return your pieces to you at no charge securely if you decide that you have chosen not to sell.