Sterling Silver vs Pure Silver: Know the difference between 925 and 999 and which is better for you
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New Delhi Silver is not just the shine of jewellery, but is also a metal associated with history, investment and everyday utility. But when '925 Sterling Silver' is seen written in the market, the question arises that how is it different from pure silver and why is there a difference in price?
In fact, Sterling Silver is actually a mixture of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (mostly copper). For this reason it is identified with the '925' stamp. Fine silver or pure silver is 99.9% silver and usually has '999' written on it.
What is the difference between the two?
Pure silver is very soft. It can easily bend, scratch and is not considered strong enough for everyday jewelry. Therefore, sterling silver is preferred in daily use jewelery like necklace, ring or bracelet. The addition of copper makes it strong and durable.
Talking about the price, the price of pure silver is slightly higher in the market because it is not adulterated. However, the price of jewelery depends not only on the metal but also on the design, brand and making charges.
Generally, sterling silver jewelery is much cheaper than gold, hence its demand has increased rapidly among the middle class and youth.
Silver is included in 7 ancient metals
Talking about history, silver is included among the seven ancient metals of the world – along with gold, copper, tin, lead, iron and mercury. In olden times it was difficult to obtain, hence its price was high. Today, due to better technology, silver is cheaper than gold, but its industrial demand is continuously increasing in electronics, solar panels and medical equipment.
Does sterling silver tarnish? Yes, it may get tarnished due to reaction with sulfur present in the air. But the good thing is that it can be cleaned with a cloth or mild soap.
Also read- Silver Investment: Silver coins, biscuits, jewelery or utensils... which method is best for investment? understand math
What is best for you?
If you want a strong, shiny and affordable piece of jewelry for daily wear, then 925 sterling silver is a better choice. Whereas pure silver is known for its greater purity, but is a little fragile in use. Now next time you buy silver, take the decision only after understanding the difference between '925' and '999'.
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