
Sterling silver
Sterling silver is a popular alloy made primarily of silver, containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, typically copper. This composition enhances its durability and strength, making it suitable for jewelry, utensils, and decorative items, as pure silver is too soft for everyday use. The term "sterling" indicates its quality; it has a hallmark of "925" to signify its silver content. Sterling silver is prized for its bright, shiny appearance and can tarnish over time, but it can be easily polished to restore its luster.