Silver jewelry is typically made of 92.5% silver, known as sterling silver, rather than pure silver (99.9% silver) for several important reasons:
1. Durability: Pure silver is incredibly soft and malleable, which makes it susceptible to bending, denting, and scratching. Jewelry made from pure silver would not hold its shape well and would quickly lose its luster.
2. Strength: By alloying silver with a small amount of another metal, typically copper, sterling silver becomes much stronger and more durable. This is crucial for jewelry that is intended to be worn regularly.
3. Tarnish Resistance: Sterling silver is more resistant to tarnishing compared to pure silver. Tarnish is the black or dull gray discoloration that silver develops when exposed to moisture and sulfur in the air. Copper in the alloy helps reduce this susceptibility to tarnishing.
4. Affordability: Pure silver is rarer and more expensive than sterling silver. Using sterling silver allows jewelry makers to create high-quality pieces at a more affordable price point.
5. Workability: Sterling silver is easier for jewelry makers to work with due to its improved strength and malleability compared to pure silver. It can be shaped, engraved, and set with gemstones more effectively.
6. Hallmarking: Sterling silver is hallmarked with a specific mark (e.g., "925" or "sterling") to indicate its quality and authenticity. This hallmark provides assurance to buyers about the silver's purity.
In summary, while pure silver is prized for its beauty and purity, it is simply too soft and impractical for most jewelry applications. Sterling silver strikes a balance between maintaining the elegant appearance of silver while providing the strength and durability necessary for creating wearable and long-lasting jewelry pieces. Some level of impurity, in the form of alloyed metals, is indeed needed to ensure the jewelry's strength and longevity.
