#Stirilingsilver how to

International sellers will stamp silver as 925, 900, or 800 to indicate the purity level of the sterling silver. It indicates the purity of the silver and sometimes identifies the maker and date of manufacture. If you are looking at an item and think it is sterling silver check for a mark of the manufacturer or silversmith. The first thing to look for is sterling silver markings. Also, if something is labeled as sterling silver plated that means that the item is made of another metal such a copper or nickel and simply coated with a layer of sterling silver. Sterling silver is also sometimes coated with pure silver, but should still be labeled as sterling silver. Sterling silver is usually 92.5% pure silver with 7.5% of the mixture being copper or another metal. Sterling silver is a silver alloy that is made by mixing pure silver with another metal, usually, copper, thought zinc, and nickel are sometimes used.

It is too soft and that is where sterling silver comes in. The thing is, pure silver is extremely soft and malleable. If something is advertised as pure silver that means it has 99% silver in it, as pure as you can get because 100% silver with no impurities doesn’t exist. The first thing you need to know is that sterling silver is different than pure silver. Determining if an item is genuine sterling silver is key to determining its value.

#Stirilingsilver how to

In this article, we will explore the questions, “what is sterling silver,” and, “ how to identify sterling silver”. If you have recently inherited some silver or are considering purchasing some silver, you may be wondering if it is genuine sterling silver. Of course, there is also a great number of items out there that pass for sterling silver. There many fine examples of antique sterling silver out there, some of which have been passed down in families for generations. It is a small wonder that sterling silver has been used in fine jewelry, precious family silverware, elegant serving trays, vases, and other decorative accents. It has a cool metallic sheen and reflective properties that catch the light in a lovely way. Sterling silver is among the most beautiful metals.