Sterling Silver Jewelry vs Pure Silver: A Complete Comparison
Pure silver, also known as fine silver or 99.9% silver (999), is composed of 99.9% elemental silver. The remaining 0.1% may include trace amounts of other elements, but essentially, this type of silver is as pure as it gets in practical terms. Hypoallergenic : Ideal for sensitive skin due to minimal alloying metals.
: Ideal for sensitive skin due to minimal alloying metals. Bright white luster : Has a beautiful natural shine.
: Has a beautiful natural shine. Investment value: Often used in bullion and coins for investing. Too soft for everyday use : Pure silver bends and scratches easily.
: Pure silver bends and scratches easily. Not ideal for detailed designs: Jewelers avoid using it for intricate work.
Sterling silver, marked as 925 silver, contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. This alloy was created to make silver more durable without sacrificing too much of its beauty.
The number '925' signifies the percentage of pure silver in the alloy — 925 parts per thousand are silver. Stronger and more durable : Perfect for everyday wear and tear.
: Perfect for everyday wear and tear. Holds its shape well : Great for rings, chains, and earrings.
: Great for rings, chains, and earrings. More design-friendly: Jewelers can create more intricate designs. Can tarnish : Copper content may react with air and moisture.
: Copper content may react with air and moisture. Allergic reactions: Rare, but possible for people sensitive to copper or nickel (if present). Feature Pure Silver (999) Sterling Silver (925) Composition 99.9% silver 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper Durability Very soft Much stronger Tarnish Resistance Tarnish-resistant Can tarnish over time Appearance Bright white, softer finish Slightly less white, shinier Usage Investment, collectibles Jewelry, utensils, accessories Price Higher More affordable Jewelry Making Less suitable Ideal
A common concern with silver jewelry is tarnishing — a chemical reaction that causes silver to darken over time. Here's how the two compare: Pure Silver is much more resistant to tarnishing due to its minimal alloy content.
is much more resistant to tarnishing due to its minimal alloy content. 925 Sterling Silver tarnishes more easily because copper reacts with air and moisture, but it can be polished back to its original shine.
To maintain 925 silver: Store it in an airtight container.
Avoid exposure to moisture, perfumes, and lotions.
Use a soft cloth and silver polish for cleaning.
If you're buying jewelry for daily wear, 925 Sterling Silver is usually the better choice. Its enhanced durability ensures that your rings, bracelets, or chains can handle frequent use without bending or losing their form.
On the other hand, Pure Silver might be ideal if: You have extremely sensitive skin.
You're buying a decorative item that won't be handled often.
You're investing in collectible silver bars or coins.
Genuine silver jewelry usually has stamps that indicate its composition: 925 : Indicates Sterling Silver (92.5% silver).
: Indicates Sterling Silver (92.5% silver). 999: Indicates Pure Silver (99.9% silver).
If your item isn't stamped, it's best to ask for a certificate of authenticity or get it tested.
Because Pure Silver contains more silver per gram, it typically has a higher price point than Sterling Silver. However, this doesn't necessarily mean it's 'better' for all purposes. Item Type Average Cost (Per Gram) Pure Silver (999) Higher 925 Silver Lower
Sterling Silver strikes a balance between cost, beauty, and durability, which is why it's so commonly used in the jewelry industry.
In today's world, buyers are increasingly concerned about ethical sourcing and sustainability. Both pure and sterling silver can be sourced responsibly, especially when recycled silver is used.
Look for certifications like: Fairmined
Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC)
These ensure that the silver has been mined or recycled under fair, ethical conditions.
Both 925 and pure silver have their strengths. For jewelry and accessories, 925 sterling silver is usually the superior choice because of its durability, workability, and affordability. Meanwhile, pure silver is better suited for investment and minimal-handling items.
Q: Can I wear 925 Sterling Silver Jewelry every day?
A: Yes! It's strong enough for daily wear and only requires occasional cleaning to keep its shine.
Q: Will 925 silver turn green?
A: Not usually. If it contains trace amounts of nickel or reacts with your skin chemistry, it might leave discoloration — but this is rare.
Q: Is 925 Sterling Silver considered 'real' silver?
A: Yes. It contains 92.5% pure silver and is legally considered real silver in most countries.
Understanding the difference between 925 Sterling Silver Jewelry and Pure Silver helps you make smarter buying decisions. Whether you're choosing a gift, treating yourself, or investing, knowing what each type offers can save you money, time, and future maintenance.
If you're looking for a balance between quality, beauty, and durability, 925 Sterling Silver Jewelry is your best bet. For investment or heirloom pieces, Pure Silver is a great option.
TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Roth Capital Raises PT on Coeur Mining, Inc. (CDE) from $10 to $12; Maintains ‘Buy' Rating
Due to strong hedge fund interest, Coeur Mining, Inc. (NYSE:CDE) is among the . A closeup view of a large gold mine, illustrating the company's gold properties. On July 1, 2025, Roth Capital increased its price target on Coeur Mining, Inc. (NYSE:CDE) from $10 to $12, maintaining a 'Buy' rating, amid favorable gold and silver prices. The analyst forecasts that the gold price is expected to increase from the previous forecast of $3,100 to $3,294 per ounce for Q2. Meanwhile, for Q3, it is projected to increase from $2,350 to $3,300, and for Q4, Roth Capital expects it to grow from $2,300 to $3,150. On the other hand, the analyst projects price of silver to grow from $31 to $33.22 in Q2 2025. For Q3 and Q4, respectively, the price is expected to increase from $27.65 to $35.50, and from $27.06 to $35.00 per ounce. These price revisions come amid the strong growth momentum of gold equities, which have increased 46% on a YTD basis, while the broader market has returned a 14.54% gain. Meanwhile, Coeur Mining, Inc. (NYSE:CDE) has seen its share price gain 65.12% and 46.43% on a YTD and 1-year basis. Operating sites in Palmarejo, Rochester, Kensington, Wharf, Silvertip, and Las Chispas, Coeur Mining, Inc. (NYSE:CDE) produces gold and silver while also exploring for silver, zinc, lead, and other related metals. It is included in our list of the Best Material Stocks. While we acknowledge the potential of CDE as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and 11 Best Mineral Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. Disclosure: None.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
First Majestic Silver: Buy, Sell, or Hold in July 2025?
Written by Joey Frenette at The Motley Fool Canada The great silver melt-up of summer 2025 is ongoing and could take the precious metal to even greater heights before the fourth quarter hits. Indeed, it's tough to justify getting into silver ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) or bullion after such a sudden surge. And while it's hard to tell what the next move in the price of silver will be, I do think that some of the miner stocks are deserving of more love from investors. After all, they do stand to benefit from the recent rally in silver and don't seem to have priced in the recent momentum, which could persist through the year's end. So, if you're ready to look beyond gold, perhaps it's time to consider the broad basket of silver mining plays which, I think, have greater upside potential and far more in the way of value than those silver coins and bars! It's been a majestic 2025 for silver and its miners. Can the gains continue? First Majestic Silver (TSX:AG), one of the premier miners, has been heating up of late, now up 38% year to date, beating the gains posted by the TSX Index and S&P 500. Despite the recent strength, shares of the miner are still beaten down and well off their highs last seen in the early innings of 2021. Will the latest silver surge help stage a run back to prior highs? It's too early to tell. If silver can remain elevated for longer, I believe that several forces are at work that could help propel AG stock from these levels. Looking ahead, the company could make the most of its high-grade mines as it ramps up production. Furthermore, the firm has exceptional management and no shortage of bullish analysts who think shares could be in for a solid next year of returns. With a strong first and second quarter of results in the books, First Majestic is upbeat about what could be a 'transformational 2025.' Of course, the firm needs to continue firing on all cylinders as silver prices do their thing. AG stock looks way too cheap Today, shares of First Majestic go for 4.2 times price-to-sales (P/S) and 1.8 times price-to-book (P/B). With a trove of high-grade mines and the ability to make the most of the 2025 silver surge, I certainly wouldn't sleep on the name, especially if you're looking for a cheap way to catch up to the recent rally in silver. Of course, as is the case with many mining stocks, you're going to have to deal with more volatility than is experienced by the broader indices. With a 1.2 beta, AG stock is more correlated to the TSX Index. But for a miner, it's certainly not the choppiest ride out there, making it a suitable addition for Canadian investors seeking greater diversification, dividend growth, and a way to gain from continued strength in silver (and gold). So, is AG stock a buy going into August? I'd say it's a great value right here. Despite the hot start to the year, I think its rally is underappreciated, with stronger legs than the price of silver itself. In short, First Majestic is a good buy, and better than bullion itself. The post First Majestic Silver: Buy, Sell, or Hold in July 2025? appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. Just Released! 5 Stocks Under $50 (FREE REPORT) Motley Fool Canada's market-beating team has just released a brand-new FREE report revealing 5 "dirt cheap" stocks that you can buy today for under $50 a share. Our team thinks these 5 stocks are critically undervalued, but more importantly, could potentially make Canadian investors who act quickly a fortune. Don't miss out! Simply click the link below to grab your free copy and discover all 5 of these stocks now. Claim your FREE 5-stock report now! More reading 10 Stocks Every Canadian Should Own in 2025 3 Canadian Companies Powering the AI Revolution A Commonsense Cash Back Credit Card We Love Fool contributor Joey Frenette has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2025
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Fan-favorite poke returns in Silver Lake with a new space
A Silver Lake poke destination is back after five years away. Ohana Superette, the casual, daytime-only poke shop from husband-and-wife team Eric and Miriam Park, recently returned with its own space and thoughtful, traditional poke. 'I always try to do my version but not mess with it too much,' chef and co-owner Eric Park said, 'and with the poke I just want to keep it super authentic.' Scoops of ginger-and-soy-marinated tuna, garlicky poached shrimp, macaroni salad and ponzu glass noodles rest on short-grain Koshihikari rice or seaweed salad. The musubi features Spam that's slow-cooked in brown sugar for an almost brûléed crust. Sides of kimchi are made fresh throughout the day to retain crunch. Each customizable bowl features a rainbow of texture and flavor. Ohana Superette's first iteration launched in 2015, inspired by the Parks' frequent family visits to Hawaii, and the operation ran as half of a dual concept out of their former sandwich shop, Black Hogg. They closed both restaurants in 2020 when the pandemic began, and though they later opened popular cafe Bodega Park in the space, Eric Park said he always wanted to reprise Ohana Superette in its own form. 'Almost every week there were people like, 'When's Ohana coming back?'' he said. 'And then one month Miriam's like, 'Let's just open Ohana if a space opens up.'' When the hair salon next door closed and its space became available, the couple jumped at the opportunity. It took two years to permit and flip the salon into a restaurant, even with a pared-down kitchen that doesn't allow for much cooking. They added wood paneling and marble accents. This time around, Park said, he streamlined the menu with fewer add-ons and toppings in an attempt to keep things more traditional — though a few less-traditional specials might sneak in occasionally. Ohana Superette is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 2850 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, Lasita Kapé Chinatown's modern Filipino restaurant is drawing even more crowds to Far East Plaza and filling the courtyard with a new weekend series, Kapé. Lasita owners Nico de Leon and Chase and Steff Valencia recently launched a daytime-only Filipino cafe that riffs on meryenda culture, or as Chase Valencia says, 'the art of taking a snack break, social pause, recharge and gossip.' At Kapé, they're serving fresh pastries such as pandan olive oil loaf iced with coconut, mango royal reimagined as rolled cake, Gouda-topped slices of ensaymadas combined with mamon, and the classic date-and-walnut "food for the gods" bars done instead as cookies. Fluffy-egged breakfast sandwiches arrive with cheese and smoky eggplant, longanisa, tocino ham or corned beef on freshly baked pan de leche, while specialty coffee offerings include the likes of affogato with miso condensed-milk ice cream, cappuccino with jackfruit purée and espresso with ube milk. The Valencias and De Leon plan to run Kapé on weekends for the foreseeable future, though an expansion of operations is possible. Kapé is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 727 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, (213) 443-6163 , Sogo Roll Bar Highland Park One of L.A.'s best hand-roll bars recently expanded with a second location. Sogo Roll Bar debuted in 2020 at the edge of East Hollywood and Los Feliz with a 14-seat sushi bar almost solely dedicated to the art of temaki. In the years since, the menu expanded with donburi and new appetizers. Now the collaborative venture between Sushi Note's Kiminobu Saito and David Gibbs, and Bar Covell and L&E Oyster Bar's Dustin Lancaster and Sarah Dietz, expanded with a second outpost, this time in Highland Park. Sogo Roll Bar's newest outpost offers an identical food menu to the original, and also serves beer, wine and sake. It takes over the former home of Holcomb wine bar, also from Lancaster, and is open Sunday to Thursday from noon to 9 p.m., and Friday to Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. 5535 York Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 561-3100, Bread Head Manhattan Beach Last year, L.A. Times Food critic Bill Addison called Bread Head 'L.A.'s next great sandwich shop.' This summer, it expanded with a location in Manhattan Beach, bringing those fresh focaccia sandwiches practically to the edge of the pier. Founders and longtime friends Jordan Snyder and Alex Williams — both alums of Trois Mec — began popping up through Los Angeles with stacked sandwiches on crusty-edged bread, then partnered with Joolies founder Greg Willsey and Michael Pasternak (formerly of Night + Market) to launch their first restaurant, in Santa Monica. Their new location in Manhattan Beach features indoor and outdoor seating, plus a seven-seat bar; that bar, ownership told The Times, will hopefully serve beer and wine eventually. Beachy art and pop culture — such as an autographed still from 'Point Break' — line the walls in a nod to the new surroundings, while TVs mean a new place for the neighborhood to watch sports (a feature not found in the original Santa Monica restaurant). A larger kitchen also means a probable expanded hot-foods menu, which could include breakfast and a range of hot sandwiches. Bread Head is open in Manhattan Beach Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 1129 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, (310) 209-8071, DineL.A. L.A. County's sprawling two-week event dedicated to dining and special menus returns today, with nearly 450 restaurants participating. This summer's iteration of dineL.A. sees the largest number of restaurants offering special items and limited-run prix-fixe menus since the initiative launched in 2008, and 80 of them are entirely new to the program. For the next 15 days find dineL.A.-exclusive meals at stalwarts such as Mélisse, Bar Amá and Wally's, along with newer spots such as Marea, Soban, Luke's Lobster and Saijo. Sign up for our Tasting Notes newsletter for restaurant reviews, Los Angeles food-related news and more. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
