925 sterling silver jewelry consists of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metal alloys (usually copper). This is big different from silver plated, where a thin layer of silver is placed over cheap metal or alloy and the silver layer can be scraped off or tarnished easily. Real 925 sterling silver jewelry typically has certain marks including “925”, “.925” or “S925″on it to indicate its purity representing the 92.5% pure silver that exists.
Naturally, 925 sterling silver oxidizes when it is exposed to air. This is the main reason why 925 silver jewelry tarnishes over time. Also, the price you paid for your silver jewelry is a good indicator whether it’s real 925 sterling silver or not. 925 sterling silver is much more expensive than other alternative metals. If the price you’re paying for seems too good to be true, then it’s likely that you’re not purchasing real 925 sterling silver jewelry. Also, you may encounter silver-plated and silver-filled jewelry. These items feature a layer of silver on the surface of the alternative metals. Silver-plating creates a very thin layer, which is easily damaged. Silver-filled items are more durable, since they have a thicker layer of silver. These are low cost silver jewelry.
Some people think that it’s just a cheap alternative to white gold. In fact, sterling silver is used in every type of jewelry to create looks that can be both timeless and trendy, especially cubic zirconia silver jewelry. Modern CZ jewelry is the perfect combination of malleability, beauty, and durability.