silver vs. sterling silver

[smartfox]

Which is more expensive? I have a chain I found that is 925 which I think it means sterling silver but my dad and I were talking about the subject and he says that he thinks that regular silver is more valuable than sterling silver.
I might sell the chain cause it is a bit on the thin side. My seven year old son does not want me to sell it because he likes it. It's kinda messed up because everything that I find reguarding jewlery either my wife wants it and does not want me to sell it or my son wants it. Eventhough tax return is good I want to get a couple of bucks from my finds.

[Arkwater]

Look here, maybe this will help.

[echostar61]

Im interested in this myself . I have pieces marked both and was wonderering if there was a difference.

Terri

[smartfox]

my school blocks that site. I am very thankful that I can get to treasurequest. It would be very boring on my breaks if this site would be blocked. Will have to check it out at home.

[Arkwater]

Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The minimum millesimal fineness is 925.

Pair of Sterling Silver forks


Fine silver (99.9% pure) is generally too soft for producing large functional objects, and in Sterling the silver is usually alloyed with copper to give strength while preserving the ductility of the silver and a high precious metal content. Other metals can replace the copper, usually with the intent to improve various properties of the basic sterling alloy such as reducing casting porosity, eliminating firescale, and increasing resistance to tarnish. These replacement metals include germanium, zinc, platinum as well as a variety of other additives including silicon and boron. A number of alloys claiming firescale and/or tarnish resistance have appeared in recent years sparking heavy competition between the various manufacturers and their different formulations. No one alloy has emerged as an industry leader or standard and ongoing alloy development is a very active area.

[ERnurse]

Originally Posted by Arkwater

Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The minimum millesimal fineness is 925.

Pair of Sterling Silver forks


Fine silver (99.9% pure) is generally too soft for producing large functional objects, and in Sterling the silver is usually alloyed with copper to give strength while preserving the ductility of the silver and a high precious metal content. Other metals can replace the copper, usually with the intent to improve various properties of the basic sterling alloy such as reducing casting porosity, eliminating firescale, and increasing resistance to tarnish. These replacement metals include germanium, zinc, platinum as well as a variety of other additives including silicon and boron. A number of alloys claiming firescale and/or tarnish resistance have appeared in recent years sparking heavy competition between the various manufacturers and their different formulations. No one alloy has emerged as an industry leader or standard and ongoing alloy development is a very active area.

Dang, your, like, smart or something. Thanks for the info. I'd never looked that up myself and had often wondered what the difference was.

thanks again for the info.

[echostar61]

Thank You,That is some Great info. .

Terri

[MinelabMan]

Sterling and 925 are the same, however 625 and 825 are of less purity, 62.5% & 82.5% silver respectively.

[The TINMAN]

Great posted Question.
Arkwater..Thanks for the link. Very Informative !