Beads of Bali

Composition of Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is an alloy consisting of not less than 92.5% silver and 7.5% of some other metal, usually copper.  Copper, nickel or other metals are added to make the alloy less prone to breakage and scratching.  Sterling silver made of silver and copper is about twice as strong as pure silver.

The 92.5% silver content standard for "sterling" originates in 14th Century England, where King Edward I decreed that silver coins must be stamped with its silver content.  In time, the 92.5 stamp came to be known as "sterling" and the rest is history.

Perhaps as a result of this successful effort to control the quality of silver items, the term "sterling" itself has come to mean "of the highest quality" (for example, "She has a sterling reputation.")

History

Sterling silver has been around for nearly as long as silver - at least 60 centuries.  Over the centuries silver has been combined with other metals to make it stronger.  Eventually, it was concluded that copper is the preferred mate for silver.  While jewelry styles may come and go, sterling silver has always been an alloy of choice to jewelry makers, and probably always well be.

Over the years, sterling silver has also been valued for reasons beyond its beauty.  Some cultures have attributed healing properties to it, while others have believed that it could bring good luck or thwart the efforts of evil spirits.

Throughout Asia, silver has long been equated with status and wealth.  In ancient Egypt silver was more valuable than even gold.  Over time, silver became an alloy that even those without great wealth could afford, usually as jewelry. One did not need to be born with the proverbial "silver spoon" in his or her mouth to have a sterling silver adornment.

Sterling silver is also equated in some cultures with certain ceremonials or milestones.  For example, Germany is generally credited with treating the 25th wedding anniversary as the "silver anniversary."