What's "better" than 925 (sterling) silver depends on your priority: .999 Fine Silver offers more purity and shine but is softer, while Argentium Silver (e.g., .935, .960) provides superior tarnish resistance and durability, and Rhodium-Plated Sterling or Stainless Steel offer enhanced scratch resistance and low maintenance for everyday wear.
925 Silver. 1. . 999 silver does not contain significant amounts of nickel or copper – two of the most popular skin irritants in jewelry.
950 Silver contains 95% pure silver and is the highest grade of silver used for jewelry. This grade is used by Qinti Peru (Formerly Artisan Silver & Gifts) for its handmade jewelry. 925 Silver contains 92.5% pure silver and is the lowest possible grade to be considered "sterling silver".
S990 and S925 show the purity of silver used in jewelry. S990 silver has more pure silver than S925 sterling silver. S925 sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, like copper. S925 is the most common type.
Higher purity silver, such as 935, tends to tarnish less easily than lower purity silver like 925 due to the reduced presence of other metals that can react with the environment.
Beware of Fake Stamps
Some counterfeiters may try to pass off their jewelry as genuine by stamping it with "S925" or other similar marks. However, these stamps may not be accurate, and the piece could still be made of a cheap metal.
This list is organized from highest to lowest millesimal fineness, or purity of the silver. Fine silver has a millesimal fineness of 999. Also called pure silver, or three nines fine, fine silver contains 99.9% silver, with the balance being some trace amounts of impurities.
Silver turning black is not a defect – it is a natural property of silver. If your jewellery is made of sterling silver (925/1000) and does not have a protective surface treatment such as rhodium plating, platinum plating, or another finish, it will naturally react with its environment.
Which One Should You Choose? Go with sterling silver if you love that classic shine, don't mind a little upkeep, and want something with a traditional, luxe feel. Choose titanium if you're all about durability, lightweight comfort, and a modern aesthetic—especially great for active lifestyles or sensitive skin.
Argentium Silver (93.5%, 94% or 96% Silver)
Argentium has more silver than sterling silver, usually 93.5% or higher. The key to Argentium's strength and radiance is the substitution of some or all of the copper (usually present in sterling silver) with germanium.
While silver itself is a chemically stable precious metal that does not easily oxidize and turn green. The copper in sterling silver is the main culprit in its greening. Copper is a highly reactive metal and easily reacts with moisture or sulfur compounds in the air, causing sterling silver to darken or turn green.
Though platinum and silver may look similar, they differ greatly in durability, cost, and care. Platinum is stronger, hypoallergenic, and requires less maintenance. Silver is more affordable but tarnishes easily and wears down faster. Choosing the right metal depends on lifestyle, budget, and long-term wear.
Sterling silver – (92.5% pure) the most popular type of silver sold for jewellery purposes. Sterling silver is alloyed with 7.5% copper to give it strength and durability, and it has the colour and working qualities that we are all most familiar with.
Fine Silver (99.9% Pure)
Fine silver has the highest purity: 99.9% silver. Because it has very little copper or other metals, it barely reacts with air, meaning it hardly tarnishes at all.
925 sterling silver is affordable because it's an alloy (92.5% silver, 7.5% cheaper metals like copper) that provides durability for jewelry at a lower material cost than pure gold or platinum, while silver's general commodity status and industrial demand also keep its base price lower than gold, making it accessible for everyday wear and collections.
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Titanium rings vary in price from $20 to nearly $10,000, but many are quite low in price because titanium is a fairly abundant metal. Precious metals like platinum or gold are valuable because they're rare, and that scarcity translates to steep price points. Titanium is only pricier than aluminum and steel.
Thanks to its mild abrasives and detergent properties, toothpaste can gently lift away tarnish and grime without wrecking your jewellery. And, while I'm not saying ditch the polish for good, when you're in a pinch, it might just save you.
One reliable method is to look for hallmarks or jewelry stamps on the piece, which typically indicate purity levels, such as “925” for sterling silver. Another method is the magnet test; genuine silver is not magnetic, so if a magnet sticks to the item, it's likely not real silver.
Many museums will coat silver with a clear lacquer to protect the surface from tarnishing.
The 80/50 rule for silver is a precious metals investing strategy using the gold-to-silver ratio: switch into silver when the ratio (ounces of silver per ounce of gold) goes above 80 (silver is cheap), and switch back to gold when it drops below 50 (silver is expensive), aiming to profit from the ratio's mean reversion by rotating between undervalued metals. This strategy signals a good time to buy silver when gold is relatively expensive compared to silver, and a good time to buy gold when silver has become disproportionately expensive.
What Silver is Best to Buy?