Sterling Silver
Pure silver is a noble metal just like gold or platinum. It is very soft and easily damaged, so it is combined with other metals to produce a more durable alloy known as sterling silver which consists of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper.
Centuries of experimentation have shown copper to be silver’s best companion, improving the metal's hardness and durability without affecting its beautiful color.
The small amount of copper added to sterling has very little effect on the metal's value. Instead, the price of the silver item is affected by the labor involved in making the item, the skill of the craftsperson, and the intricacy of the design.
Stamps of Quality
Most high quality silver items are stamped with a "fineness" or "quality" mark. This mark designates the precious metal content of the jewelry, and under federal law, must be accompanied by a maker's mark or registered trademark.
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