Sterling Silver Vs Silver Plated; How Do You Know What You’re Really Paying For?
When you are carefully examining a jewelry collection, stuck between the shine of two similar pieces of jewelry, the price tag is often telling two vastly different stories. One is an investment, a piece of jewelry that will stand by you for the rest of your life. The other is a momentary piece, gorgeous for a season, but ultimately destined to fade. At Myra Jewelry, we believe that luxury is more than just shine, it is about substance as well.
Have you ever found yourself pondering about the difference between sterling silver and silver plated pieces? Well, you are not alone in the world of precious metals, it’s a jungle of symbols and terminologies. Understanding the comparison between the two is the key to building a jewelry collection that will hold its value, its shine, and its place in your heart. Let’s dive in and explore the details so you can shop with the confidence of a true expert.
What is Sterling Silver?
In order to answer the question, which is better sterling silver or silver plated, we first have to explore the chemistry of the metal. Pure silver is a stunning and gorgeous material, but unfortunately, it has one glaring drawback. Pure silver is a metal that is just too soft. When it’s in its pure form, it is more similar to clay than metal. It bends and scratches too easily to ever be used as a daily accessory. This brings us to the concept of "Sterling Silver".
As pure silver isn’t enough to be used in the making of jewelry, for it to be strong and durable, it has to be mixed with other metals. Copper is that metal which is most frequently mixed with pure silver. So, sterling silver contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals. This is why the "925" hallmark is frequently stamped on the backs or bottoms of high-end pieces. It’s basically the gold standard in silver jewelry, because it strikes the perfect balance between the high-end lo ok and feel of precious metal, along with the durability necessary to carry off intricate designs and precious stones. When you wear sterling silver, you’re getting a precious metal that makes a statement throughout, and not just on the surface. If you want to see how sterling silver looks in real designs, explore Myra’s 925 sterling silver rings, bracelets and necklaces.
What is Silver Plated Jewelry?
On the flip side, silver plated jewelry is a bit of a master of disguise. This is not really made out of silver. Instead, it is made out of a base metal such as brass, copper, or nickel. This is then plated with a minuscule amount of silver using electricity.
This allows for a very inexpensive price tag. However, the amount of silver used in this piece is less than a strand of human hair. So, this is not really worth anything as it is made out of a non-precious base metal. This is a look at luxury without really committing to it, and is great for a piece you will only wear a few times.