If you've ever turned over a ring or unclasped a bracelet and spotted the number 925, you've already encountered sterling silver's calling card.
Most of the silver jewellery you own is probably made from it. Here's what that actually means, how to spot the real thing, and how to look after it properly.
What Is Sterling Silver and How Does It Compare to Pure Silver?
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% other metals, usually copper. That blend is the global standard for silver jewellery, and it's where the 925 stamp comes from.
So how does sterling silver compare to pure silver? Pure silver (also called fine silver) is 99.9% silver. It's beautiful, but it's far too soft for jewellery. Rings lose their shape. Prong settings stop gripping stones. Fine detail wears flat within months. It's the kind of metal that looks great in a display case and falls apart on your hand.
The copper changes that. It adds strength and durability without dulling the shine, so the silver holds its shape, keeps its detail, and lasts for years. You get the real thing in a form that can keep up with your life.
Pure silver holds its shine a little better because there's almost no copper to react with the air. But it's still not ideal if the piece is bending out of shape.
The only real trade-off with sterling silver is that it can tarnish over time, but it's easy to manage with basic care (more on that below).
There's a reason virtually every reputable jewellery brand builds on a sterling silver base. Thomas Sabo and Sif Jakobs both use 925 sterling silver across their collections, and it's the same standard you'll find in quality jewellery worldwide.
What Does 925 Mean on Silver?
That little 925 stamped on your jewellery is a purity mark. It's shorthand from the "millesimal fineness system", which grades metal purity in parts per thousand. You might also see it written as .925, or alongside the word STERLING or STER. Same thing, different formatting.
Where to find it depends on the piece. On rings, check the inside of the band. On necklaces and bracelets, look at the clasp or the small tag near the fastening. On pendants, flip it over or check the bail (the loop that connects it to the chain).
Seeing that 925 mark on a piece of jewellery is a good sign. It confirms the silver runs all the way through, not just on the surface.
Silver-plated jewellery is a base metal (usually brass or copper) with a thin coating on top. It won't carry a 925 stamp, and the plating wears through over time, revealing the cheaper metal underneath. If the stamp is there, you know what you're getting.
925 Hallmark Meaning: How UK Hallmarking Works
The UK doesn't mess about when it comes to precious metals. Under the Hallmarking Act 1973, any silver item weighing more than 7.78 grams has to be independently tested and hallmarked before it can legally be sold as silver.
That law has been in place for over fifty years, and it gives UK buyers some of the strongest precious metal protections anywhere in the world.
So what does a hallmark actually look like? On sterling silver, there are three compulsory marks. The sponsor's mark is the maker's initials inside a shield shape. The fineness mark confirms the purity, shown as 925 inside an oval. And the assay office mark tells you where the piece was tested.
There are four assay offices in the UK, and each one stamps its own symbol. A leopard's head for London, an anchor for Birmingham, a rose for Sheffield, and a castle for Edinburgh. If you've ever noticed tiny symbols on a piece of silver jewellery and wondered what they meant, that's your answer.
You might also spot a date letter on some pieces. This is a single letter of the alphabet that tells you the year the piece was hallmarked, and it changes every January. It's been a voluntary mark since 1999, so it won't appear on everything, but it's a nice detail to look out for on vintage or antique silver.
Then there's the lion passant, a small image of a walking lion. It's the traditional English fineness mark for sterling silver, and while it's technically voluntary, most UK silversmiths still use it. If you see the lion alongside the 925, a sponsor's mark, and an assay office symbol, that's about as official as it gets.
Why Choose Sterling Silver Jewellery?
Gold is expensive right now. Really expensive. And while that's great if you already own a collection, it makes building one from scratch a lot harder.
Sterling silver gives you a genuine precious metal that looks and feels premium, without the price tag that gold currently demands.
It's also one of the most wearable metals out there. A sterling silver ring or chain works with practically everything, from jeans and a t-shirt to something sharper for an evening out.
It layers well, it stacks well, and it doesn't fight with other pieces in your jewellery box.
Sterling silver lasts, too. You can polish it, repair it, and bring it back to life years down the line. Silver is also infinitely recyclable without losing any quality, which is a genuine plus on the sustainability front.
Because sterling silver contains a small percentage of copper, it can occasionally cause a mild reaction if your skin is sensitive to that metal. It's rare, but worth knowing about before you buy.
Several of the brands we stock at Gift & Wrap build their collections on a 925 sterling silver base. Thomas Sabo leans into bold, detailed pieces with real personality. Sif Jakobs keeps things clean and Scandinavian with zirconia-set designs. Ania Haie is all about layering, with pieces specifically designed to be worn together. And Nomination pairs sterling silver with stainless steel in its signature Italian charm system.
Browse our full collections of jewellery, rings, necklaces, and bracelets to find something that fits.
925 Sterling Silver FAQs
How Do I Check If My Silver Is Genuine?
Start with the stamp. Look for 925, .925, STERLING, or a full UK hallmark. Anything sold in the UK that weighs over 7.78 grams should carry a hallmark by law, so if there's nothing there, that's worth questioning. The magnet test is a useful backup: sterling silver is not magnetic, so if a magnet sticks, it's not genuine. If you're still not sure, take it to your local jeweller for a proper test.
Does Sterling Silver Tarnish?
Yes, it does, and that's completely fine. Tarnishing happens when the copper in sterling silver reacts with sulphur compounds in the air, creating a thin, darkened layer on the surface. Humidity, perfume, hand cream, and your skin's natural oils can speed it up. The important thing is that tarnishing is surface-level. It doesn't damage the silver underneath. A quick polish and it looks exactly the way it did when you first wore it.
Does Sterling Silver Rust?
No. Rust is a specific type of corrosion that only affects iron and iron-based metals like steel. Sterling silver contains no iron, so it physically cannot rust. It can tarnish, and in rare cases can develop a green patina if the copper in the alloy reacts with moisture over a long period, but both are surface-level and reversible with the right care.
How Do I Care for Sterling Silver Jewellery?
Wipe your pieces down with a soft, dry cloth after wearing them to remove oils and residue before they build up. Store silver somewhere dry and airtight when you're not wearing it, such as an anti-tarnish pouch or a small zip-lock bag. Take your jewellery off before swimming, showering, or exercising, and put it on after applying perfume or body products. If a piece has already tarnished, a silver polishing cloth will bring it back quickly. For heavier tarnish, warm water with a small amount of mild soap and a soft brush does the job. Be gentle with plated finishes, as abrasive cloths can strip the coating.
