Sterling Silver vs Silver-Plated: What "925" Really Means

When jewellery is described as "925," "sterling silver" or "silver-plated," those aren't marketing flourishes — they describe completely different things, and the difference decides how long a piece lasts. Here's what the terms mean and how to tell them apart.

What "925 sterling silver" means

The 925 stamp means the metal is 92.5% pure silver, with the remaining 7.5% usually copper for strength. It's solid silver all the way through — not a coating — so it can be polished, repaired and worn for a lifetime. Pure silver (999) is too soft for everyday jewellery, which is why 925 is the standard for quality silver pieces worldwide.

What "silver-plated" means

Silver-plated jewellery is a base metal — often brass, copper or nickel — with a thin layer of silver on the surface. It looks similar at first, but the silver layer is microscopically thin and wears off over months to a few years, exposing the base metal underneath. It can't be meaningfully polished or restored once the plating goes, and reactive base metals can irritate sensitive skin.

Why the difference matters

• Longevity. Sterling silver lasts decades; plating wears through.
• Repairability. Solid silver can be resized, soldered and polished; plated pieces can't.
• Value. Sterling has real precious-metal value; plated is essentially costume jewellery.
• Skin comfort. 925 is well tolerated by most people; cheap plated bases (especially nickel) cause the most reactions — see jewellery for sensitive skin.

How to tell them apart

• Look for the hallmark. Genuine sterling is stamped 925, "ster" or "sterling." Plated pieces usually aren't, or say "silver-plated" / "EP" (electroplated).
• Check the wear points. On plated pieces, edges and high spots may show a different colour where the plating has worn.
• Weight and feel. Solid silver has a substantial, cool feel; very light pieces are often plated hollow base metal.
• Tarnish behaviour. Sterling tarnishes evenly and cleans up; plated pieces tarnish then wear through to a different metal.

Is sterling silver worth the difference?

For anything you'll wear often, yes. A solid 925 piece cared for properly outlasts a stack of plated ones and keeps its value — the same buy-fewer-better logic behind slow fashion. Plated jewellery has its place for very occasional or trend-led wear, but it's a different category.

Frequently asked questions

What does 925 mean on jewellery? It means 92.5% pure silver — the standard for sterling silver. The piece is solid silver throughout, not plated, so it lasts and can be polished and repaired.

Is sterling silver better than silver-plated? For durability, value and skin comfort, yes. Sterling is solid silver; plated is a thin silver layer over base metal that wears off over time.

How can I tell if silver is real? Look for a 925 or "sterling" hallmark, check for worn plating at the edges, and note the weight — solid silver feels substantial. When in doubt, buy from a maker who states the metal.

Real sterling silver

Every piece in our jewellery collection is solid 925 sterling silver (or vermeil over silver) — made by small Baltic ateliers to be worn and kept.