Gold-plated Sterling Silver 925 Pendant With Freshwater Pearl

925 sterling silver consists of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, which make the silver stronger. Pure silver is too soft for jewelry that will be worn – sterling silver is the classic quality that both holds its shape and has silver's beautiful shine.

What does 925 mean?

The number 925 tells you that 925 out of 1,000 parts are pure silver. That's why sterling silver is often stamped with "925".

Sterling silver or silver-plated?

Sterling silver is silver all the way through. A silver-plated jewelry finding has a thin silver coating on top of another metal, such as brass, and the coating can wear off over time. If a sterling silver piece is gold-plated, it's sterling silver underneath the gold plating.

Why does silver turn dark?

Silver reacts with air and moisture and can tarnish and darken over time. This is completely natural and not a defect – the shine comes back when you polish it.

How to take care of your sterling silver

• Store it dry in a closed bag or box
• Take it off before showering, swimming, or applying lotion and perfume
• Buff it up with a soft silver polishing cloth when it starts to look dull

In short: Sterling silver is genuine silver made strong enough for jewelry. With a little care, it keeps its shine for many years. See our entire selection of sterling silver.