Every wondered what that 925 engraving on your jewelry means? What's the difference between 925 silver and stainless steel jewelry? With so many choices around in 2024 and newer material choices coming up every day, we chose to stay with the classic 925 silver. We answer these questions as we share more about our choice of 925 jewelry.
What is 925 Silver (Sterling Silver)?
Sterling silver has been used in jewelry for centuries and remains popular due to its combination of beauty, durability, and relative affordability compared to pure silver and other precious metals.
For those of you who love the details, 925 silver consists of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloys or other metals. You can often tell 925 jewelry apart by the engraving of "925" or ".925" on the body of your jewelry pieces.
The addition of alloys in the metal increases the hardness and durability of the 925 silver, making it a better choice for crafting jewelry compared to pure silver, which is soft and prone to damage.
We wouldn't want our precious jewelry to go deform after light wear would we?
What are the benefits of using 925 silver in jewelry?
There are many benefits to using 925 silver in jewelry but there are 3 core reasons why we choose to use 925 silver at Youngs Jewelry.
- Aesthetics - 925 silver has a bright, lustrous sheen that differs from other materials like stainless steel or lesser silvers. The pieces provide an air of elegance and definitely stand out from cheaper forms of jewelry.
- Ease of maintenance - 925 silver doesn't scratch or deform easily, making it the best choice for everyday wear. New initiates to the jewelry journey would find 925 silver easy to maintain as well. Tarnishes are easily polished to restore the original shine, and with proper care, these jewelry will last you a lifetime.
- Easy on the skin - 925 silver jewelry are hypoallergenic and do not rust. They're a good choice for those with sensitive skin and do not cause reactions compared to other materials that contain rhodium or nickel.
However, using 925 silver does comes with some shortcomings. 925 silver jewelry does require a minimal amount of maintenance. As mentioned, 925 silver does contain some traces of other metals which tarnish. Tarnishing is the metal's natural reaction to sulfur-containing substances in the air, but it does not damage the metal permanently unlike rust. Tarnish is easily removed by using a polishing cloth and is usually restored to it's full brilliance.
In conclusion:
With the many amazing properties of 925 silver, it holds the best qualities we find in crafting jewelry pieces for you at affordable prices. We strive to maintain the highest possible quality of jewelry, ensuring they last a long time for you. While on the other hand, we aim to introduce elegant jewelry into everyday wear by making these options affordable.
At Youngs, we're committed to ensuring only curated collections of the highest quality are released.