Silver is one of the most popular metals in the world, discovered in ancient times. Centuries ago, it was worth more than gold, as the pure silver metal alloy was prized in the market due to its rarity. But, over time, people began to dilute the substance with other impurities. Therefore, there are now a sufficient number of samples of this substance.
Where did the name “sterling silver” come from, what is it? There are the following versions of the origin of the name. According to the first, the metal was so named because of the pound of sterling, which was in use in the Middle Ages. In the mid-12th century, King Henry 8 of England issued a decree according to which a coin made of 925 silver came into use. This alloy was considered equal to ordinary silver, from which money was then made. This pound sterling was used for large purchases.
The second version states that silver, which contained only 8% impurities, was produced in the Esterling region in Saxony (Germany) since the 11th century. The name came from this subject. The coins that were issued in the northern region of the country were used to pay with England during allied actions. The then ruler of the country liked these strong coins so much that he soon put them into use. Actually, two versions of the origin of the name of the metal follow from each other.
925 sterling silver
Sterling metal is popular because it consists of 92.5% pure silver, and only 7.5% of it is copper. The alloy in question is very difficult to melt, since it requires a certain temperature and special exposure. But the metal ultimately becomes very durable, high quality, and has a long service life. In the Middle Ages, these coins were used for trade.
Some customers ask about what 925 sterling silver is. This is silver coinage that has been melted down so that it does not lose quality. The alloys are just as strong and reliable. Therefore, 925 metal is considered the most popular at present. This substance is used to make not only precious jewelry, but also cutlery, statues, and candlesticks.
History of the name
Why is silver with impurities called sterling? There are three versions of the origin of the term.
In the 12th century, sterling was an old English coin made of silver. The weight of 240 of these coins was equal to 1 pound, so expensive purchases were measured in “pounds sterling.” The weight of 240 coins showed whether they were genuine or counterfeit. A 1955 Oxford Dictionary entry states that the term "sterling" originated in 1300. This was the popular name for the silver Norman penny, on which small stars – sterlings – were engraved. The scientist-historian Pinchebeck argued that the term came from the combination Easterling Silver, which was the name for the German 925 silver alloy, which was distinguished by increased hardness. Over time, the phrase evolved into Sterling Silver.
The composition of sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.
The result of numerous experiments was confirmation of the fact that copper is a suitable option for an alloy with silver, and in exactly this ratio.
The difference between regular silver and sterling silver
What is the difference between the silver we are used to and the one we are considering? Precious metal, due to hydrogen sulfide in the air, becomes dull. It is the loss of beauty due to tarnishing that is considered the main disadvantage of jewelry made from noble substances. But sterling silver does not have this disadvantage. The fact is that the less copper in the alloy, the less susceptible it is to the influence of sulfur compounds.
Since ordinary noble metal is soft and ductile, it is used exclusively for jewelry and is not used in the production of dishes and interior items. Therefore, all expensive silver tableware sets and coins are made of sterling metal. As you can see, it is easy to distinguish it from the usual one, if it is not a decoration.
Silversmiths
Queen Victoria patronized the manufacturers, ordering cutlery and decorations from them. Some of them were subsequently awarded a Royal Warrant.
Among the favorites of the royal court was Robert Garrard, who specialized in the production of figurines. In 1843, Victoria appointed Garrard as the first official jeweler to the crown: he designed numerous pieces and jewelry for the royal family. Garrard & Co has been trusted to work with famous gemstones such as the Cullinan Diamond (Great Star of Africa) and the Koh-i-Noor Diamond.
In 1848, Garrard created the America's Cup, the oldest international sports trophy. To this day, a bottomless silver jug is the most prestigious and coveted prize in yachting.
Elkington & Co, established in 1836, made its contribution to the development of the craft. Its founders, brothers George and Henry Elkington, patented revolutionary methods of electrotyping, galvanizing and gilding, and won many awards at World Exhibitions.
John Hunt and Robert Roskell were among the jewelers of the British court and other European royal families. The company was founded by Paul Storr in 1819, later successively renamed Storr & Mortimer (1822-38), Mortimer & Hunt (1838-43) and finally Hunt & Roskell (1843-97).
Works created by Paul Storr adorn the exhibition of the State Hermitage. A large number of exhibits came to Russia thanks to dynastic ties between the two powers. Being a passionate Anglophile, Nicholas I amassed an impressive collection of English silver, which includes household items, cutlery, and sports trophies. One of the prize cups is made in the form of three connected horse heads. This early Victorian work combines the characteristic neoclassical acanthus leaves with a finely detailed, naturalistic body shape.
Each of the silversmiths had a unique style: their products today form the pride of the collections of such museums as the Metropolitan in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
How to store and care for the product
Basic tips for proper care of sterling silver:
- the storage location should be a dark and dry place to eliminate the risk of the sun hitting the surface of the metal (it darkens as a result);
- Although sterling silver products do not lose their visual appeal for a long time, it is not always possible to follow all the rules for storing them. If the metal is darkened, you should clean it with a soft cloth soaked in coin cleaning liquid (you can buy it at a household chemical store).
- Under no circumstances should mechanical cleaning be carried out; it will only scratch the surface of the product;
- when a special liquid does not help, you should make a solution consisting of hydrogen peroxide, ammonia and tooth powder. After the execution, it is necessary to wipe the metal with a clean, dry cloth.
Advice! If you doubt your cleaning abilities, you should contact a jewelry salon. They will professionally restore the natural appearance of the product.
The shine of newness
The term “Victorian silver” does not necessarily imply that the authors belong to a circle of select jewelers or the large-scale size of the products. The so-called “Novelty silver” was intended for a wide range of collectors who were looking for rare items with an original design:
- toiletries;
- playing card cases:
- snuff boxes;
- bottles for smelling salts;
- salt and pepper shakers;
- caddy spoons for pouring tea leaves.
Craftsmen capitalized on the middle-class desire to show off to their neighbors by creating new functional or simply fun objects. Sampson Mordan and Nathaniel Mills were the most successful in this.
Silver ringing - literally - calmed babies: it was good form to give a rattle with bells made of noble metal for baptism.
Most of the objects are out of use these days; the purpose of some of them can be guessed for a long time by a modern person. But the skill of the work and the subtle sense of humor of the creators have not lost their value. Buying an antique silver item means making a good investment. At Very Important Lot you will find everything: from ceremonial sets to exquisite figurines.
Chinese sterling silver
The main suppliers of products made from sterling silver are the countries of Southeast Asia. China ranks first among them. The volume of supplies is growing every year, because the quality of the jewelry produced is in no way inferior to that of products produced in other countries.
Sterling silver from China is cheaper than its European counterparts. This is due to the fact that labor in this Asian country costs much less than in Europe.
But still, you should be careful when buying Chinese jewelry. Since some sellers pass off low-quality material as high-grade metal. When purchasing a sterling gold item online, it is worth reading the comments and reviews before purchasing the item. Chinese silver is cheaper than its European counterparts, but not cheap! This means that all cheap jewelry is fake.
Consumer reviews say that 85% of gold from China is of good quality. The country is famous for its jewelry craftsmen and extensive experience of technologists.
Jewelry from China - what is it?
Given the growing popularity of online shopping, in particular on AliExpress, the choice of products should be treated with special care. Sterling 925 from China often runs the risk of being counterfeited, especially when the buyer is offered an apparently low price.
Often counterfeits involve jewelry that turns out to be simple jewelry. For example, the 925 mark may be on a silver clasp, while the rest of the jewelry, indistinguishable in appearance, will simply be low-grade costume jewelry. Manufacturers are silent about this fact and act simply - the word silver, which refers to the entire product and is perceived by the buyer as a description of the material of manufacture, is in fact just the specified color of the product - “silver”.
Another forgery is the substitution of the concepts “silver” and “coated with silver plating.” The world standard recognizes 3 types of use of silver in coating a product:
- pure silver coating (SP – silver plated);
- sterling silver plated (SSP);
- silver plating over copper (Silver on copper – EPC).
“Omitting” the additional word plated, thereby concealing the fact of coating is an unfair, but quite common infringement of the client’s rights and awareness. The greater the weight of the purchased product, the greater the financial loss from the difference.
However, it is quite easy to distinguish a fake - just scratch the Chinese sterling silver along the surface in an inconspicuous place and find metal of a different shade under the top layer. In this case, the client has every right to return the purchase - however, some online purchases with delivery do not have such an option, and when ordering, the website immediately indicates the impossibility of returning the product due to violation of quality standards.
If the manufacturer lowers the price, does not provide quality certificates (in China there are mandatory product inspections) and does not leave the client the right to return the purchase within 14 days, it is worth considering whether the “precious” alloy being offered is really genuine? It’s a shame to buy only slightly silver-plated jewelry instead of a silver item.
Price
Every year the demand for sterling gold increases, which leads to an increase in prices for products made from this metal. Experts predict a continuation of this trend: a decrease in prices should not be expected in the near future. The price of the noble metal per gram is $0.8. This means that finished precious items, taking into account the difficulty of manufacturing and markups, cannot cost less than $5.
| Regular ($/g) | Sterling ($/g) | Chinese sterling ($/g) |
| 0,5 | 0,8 | 0,7 |
Table 1 - comparison of the cost of regular, sterling and Chinese sterling gold.
Care
In order for sterling silver to always retain its beautiful, original appearance, you need to know how to store it correctly and what kind of care is needed. Proper care is the key to ensuring that jewelry never loses its original appearance:
- Jewelry should be stored in a dark place and where there is no high humidity. If silver is frequently exposed to sunlight, the metal will become darker;
- The most effective cleaning method is to rinse the jewelry in warm water. You need to add dishwashing detergent to the water, and then rinse the product again and wipe it with a cloth.
