Pure Silver, Sterling Silver or Platinum?

Is Your Jewelry Pure, Sterling Silver or Platinum?

Pure silver is soft, and easily damaged; for this reason it is rarely used for jewelry. Pure silver, however, does not tarnish and is desirable for this reason. Pure silver is a precious metal and is seen as investment and used broadly in valuable antiques, coins, and jewelry.

Sterling silver is more hard and durable than pure silver and won’t bend easily or damage, as pure silver will. This is the jewelry quality standard in the U.S. and most world markets. Like other metals sterling silver can oxidize overtime so it is good to store it in a tarnish proof. The best way to present tarnish is to wear your sterling jewelry often; wearing your jewelry will keep the tarnish build up from forming and keep them shining with minimal maintenance.

Platinum is rare and costly, so it will be marked for authenticity. Platinum is extremely durable and scratch resistant. Platinum is the most rare and precious metal on this planet. Platinum is fantastically more rare than gold. Look for words proving authenticity like: Platinum, PLAT, PT followed by numbers 950 or 999 followed. Watch for the higher numbers, they will be the more pure metal.

Pure Silver, Sterling Silver, and Platinum Markings

The markings on your jewelry will tell you a lot about the metal composition. Look for marks on the jewelry. The identifying markings will be scribed in the metal. Often you can find the marks on the clasp or the largest part of the jewelry. There may be a small tag hanging from the end of the jewelry as well with markings. If you see silver with a stamp 925 followed by an S, this indicates sterling silver. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and generally 7.5% copper, although it may be mixed with other metals such as nickel. Remember, 925S is Sterling Silver, the harder and more durable of the silvers. Pure silver will have the stamp 999.
If your items do not have any markings, Forms In Sculpture may be able to test the metal for you. Contact us today at 941-922-3860 or formsinsculpture.com