What is 925 Sterling Silver?

At Camille Colette Studio, we love using 925 sterling silver to create our jewelry. It is a precious metal highly valued in goldsmithing. Its durability allows us to make pieces that you can wear for many years. Its gray color pairs perfectly with many natural stones. This alloy therefore fully meets our specifications. We'll tell you more about it.

925 sterling silver: definition

925 sterling silver is an alloy composed of 92.5% silver (hence the number 925) and 7.5% of another metal, usually copper. This combination makes the silver more malleable and more resistant. Indeed, pure silver is very soft and therefore difficult to work with.

925 sterling silver is the only reference that allows the designation "silver jewelry". To recognize it, a hallmark is affixed to the accessories. This hallmark takes several forms: "925", "Sterling", "Ster", "Silver", ".925", "S925", a lion, or a Minerva head.

The Anglo-Saxon word "sterling" is used because the English historically used silver to mint their currency. In the Middle Ages, the term esterlin was used; it referred to a unit of weight in goldsmithing. The English phonetics then evolved to sterling.

⏩Also read: Creation of Camille Colette Studio jewelry

Advantages of 925 silver

Sterling silver is malleable and durable. It is highly valued by jewelers because it allows them to create a wide range of pieces. In addition, its neutral gray color pairs perfectly with a multitude of natural stones. It also has hypoallergenic properties, an additional asset for manufacturing accessories that will be in contact with the skin. Finally, its price is attractive compared to other precious metals.

Disadvantages of sterling silver

925 sterling silver is an oxidizable metal. It alters on contact with water, perspiration, or cosmetic products (creams, perfumes, etc.). Over time, and if not subjected to regular cleaning, it can blacken to a greater or lesser extent (N.B. Oxidation is different from rust; only iron is susceptible to rusting). It is also an alloy that scratches easily because silver is a soft metal.

Caring for 925 sterling silver

To prevent your 925 sterling silver jewelry from altering, several things can be done:

• store them away from humidity, in a soft pouch to avoid shocks;
• avoid contact with water and chemical products (remove them when you wash your hands, when you shower, and if you do household chores);
• regularly rub your jewelry with a soft cloth (chamois, cotton, or microfiber fabric);
• wash them with soapy water and a soft-bristled brush and dry them immediately;
• clean them with toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush, then rinse and dry them;
• there are also specific products for cleaning silver accessories;
• you can also clean your silver jewelry with baking soda or lemon juice. In all cases, be sure to rinse and dry them thoroughly afterward.

⏩To go further: Cleaning gold jewelry | 4 effective tips

925 sterling silver is a perfect alloy for creating jewelry. With minimal care, your silver pieces can last for many years. Visit our e-shop to discover our 925 sterling silver accessories!