Pure Silver vs. Sterling Silver: What's the Difference

If you've been browsing jewellery online, you've probably seen both "pure silver" and "sterling silver" used to describe pieces that look identical. They're not the same thing, and the difference matters if you want jewellery that actually holds up to everyday wear.

Here's what separates the two, why sterling silver is the standard for wearable jewellery, and how to tell what you're actually buying.

Pure silver vs. sterling silver: the basics

	Pure silver (fine silver)	Sterling silver
Silver content	99.9%	92.5%
Alloy	Trace metals	7.5% copper (typically)
Stamp/mark	.999	925
Hardness	Soft, easily marked	Durable enough for daily wear
Best for	Bars, coins, some fine art pieces	Rings, chains, bracelets, earrings

What is pure silver?

Pure silver, also called fine silver, is 99.9% silver with only trace amounts of other metals. It's stamped .999 and prized for its bright, slightly warmer shine compared to sterling. The catch is softness: fine silver is malleable enough that a ring or bracelet made from it would scratch, bend, and lose its shape far faster than most people would want from everyday jewellery. That's why it's more commonly used for silver bars, coins, and delicate art pieces rather than rings you'll wear all day.

What is sterling silver?

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver alloyed with 7.5% of another metal, almost always copper. That small addition makes a big difference: copper hardens the metal, giving it the strength to hold its shape through daily knocks, keep prongs and clasps secure, and keep a chain from stretching out of shape. It's stamped 925, which is the number you'll see on the inside of a ring band or on a tag attached to a chain.

This is the standard used across the jewellery industry for exactly this reason — sterling silver looks like fine silver but survives being worn, not just displayed. All of our chains, rings, bracelets, and earrings are made from genuine sterling silver.

Does sterling silver tarnish more than pure silver?

Yes, slightly. The copper in sterling silver reacts with air and moisture over time, which is what causes tarnishing — that dulling or yellowish-black tinge you sometimes see on silver jewellery. Pure silver tarnishes more slowly because it has less copper to react. That said, tarnish on sterling silver is easy to manage: store pieces in an airtight bag when not in use, avoid spraying perfume directly onto jewellery, and give pieces an occasional polish with a silver cloth. Our silver jewellery care guide covers this in more detail.

How to check what you're buying

Look for the 925 stamp on rings, clasps, or tags — legitimate sterling silver jewellery will carry it. In the UK, any silver item over 7.78g must also carry an official hallmark from an assay office by law, giving you an independent guarantee of the metal content. You can read more about how that works, and how to spot it, on our UK hallmarking page.

Which should you choose?

For jewellery you intend to wear regularly — a chain you don't take off, a ring, everyday earrings — sterling silver is the practical choice. It has the same silvery-white look as pure silver, at a fraction of the maintenance and none of the softness issues. Pure silver has its place, but it isn't designed for the daily bumps that jewellery goes through.

Shop our full sterling silver jewellery collection

FAQ

Is sterling silver real silver?

Yes. Sterling silver is 92.5% genuine silver, alloyed with a small amount of another metal (usually copper) for strength. It's a recognised, legally defined standard, not an imitation.

Why isn't jewellery made from 100% pure silver?

Pure silver is too soft on its own to hold up to daily wear. It scratches, bends, and loses its shape far more easily than sterling silver, which is why the jewellery industry uses the 925 alloy as standard.

Does sterling silver contain nickel?

Standard sterling silver is silver and copper. It shouldn't contain nickel, which is a common cause of skin sensitivity — always check with the retailer if you have a metal allergy.

How can I tell if my jewellery is genuine sterling silver?

Check for a 925 stamp, and in the UK, look for an official assay office hallmark on pieces over 7.78g. See our hallmarking guide for details.

Does sterling silver turn your skin green?

Genuine sterling silver rarely does. Green marks are usually caused by lower-quality alloys or reactions with lotions and perfumes, not the silver itself.