Humans have long been enticed with silver, be it in the form of jewelry, coinage, homeware, status symbol, and much more besides….! Throughout history, this gleaming metal has been used to celebrate milestones, achievements, and ceremonies.

Being one of the precious metals it exhibits the stunning shine of white gold, platinum and is inadvertently cheaper than them.

 

So, what is sterling silver jewelry?

When it comes to purchasing jewelry, many customers are skeptical about whether or not they should invest in sterling silver or if it is genuine. So, being a jewelry retailer it is your duty to assure your customers about the authenticity of the jewelry you’re selling.

Sterling silver or 925 sterling silver is an alloyed form of silver that is the most suitable for making jewelry. Fine or pure silver is 99.9% in purity but in this form, it is too soft and malleable to make jewelry, that’s why fine silver is alloyed with copper and other metals to create sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, mostly copper.

Selling real sterling silver is of immense importance for the success of a jewelry seller, whether that is a silver jewelry wholesaler, retailer, or small shop owner. Not only does it greatly enhance the reputation of the jewelry seller, but it also gives customers confidence in the quality and validity of the pieces of jewelry they are buying.

Thus, it makes them more likely to return to the seller and buy jewelry from them again, which in return becomes a deciding factor in the success or failure of many small jewelry shops, retailers and the 925 sterling silver wholesaler that supply them with their jewelry.

 

How to identify sterling silver?

If a piece of jewelry is Hallmarked with the 925 stamp then it indicates that it is a high-quality sterling silver item. For this reason, it is crucial for any customer to be aware of the meaning of this stamp and to look out for it when purchasing silver jewelry items, especially those that claim to be pure sterling silver. Items that are marked with a 925 or 925s stamp is usually a good sign that the item meets the 92.5% purity standard.

 

What is the difference between 925 and 925s?

The 925s stamp is predominantly used by Chinese manufacturers, whereas the 925 stamp is used by the rest of the main silver jewelry manufacturing hubs, including Thailand, Turkey and Mexico. Both the 925 and the 925s stamp on a piece of jewelry usually mean that it is made of high-quality sterling silver. However, if an item is stamped with 925s then it is good to be a little bit more wary and contact the seller of the product to confirm its authenticity. This is because a certain percentage of the “supposedly” silver jewelry coming out of China, often seen on popular Chinese marketplaces, is either made with base metal and with a thin layer of silver or plating or   is not entirely made of silver. For example, just the earring pin/post is silver but the rest of the item isn’t.

A good way to ensure if the product your selling is genuine 925 sterling silver is either by asking your supplier for a testing report showing the silver content of their products or by randomly testing the products you buy from them. This can be done at your local assay office..

 

Why choose sterling silver jewelry?

Sterling silver jewelry has many characteristics which make them a top pick for jewelry retail and wholesale customers. The beauty of this metal has also attracted many renowned jewelry designers as well. Let’s take a look at some of them:

• Durability: Sterling silver is known for its durability, because of the added metals like copper it becomes incredibly stronger; it is even sturdier than gold. Sterling silver unlike other precious metals is lighter which makes it an ideal choice for jewelry and that can be worn daily or often. 925 sterling silver jewelry is also resistant to wear and tear, and will not scratch or dent easily.
• Malleability: As mentioned before, sterling silver is a great choice for designers and artisans to work with as it can be shaped into various designs. Also, it is very important for jewelry wholesalers and retailers to stock up on multiple designs in regards to the changing styles and trends. As the options in sterling silver jewelry become endless it also helps the customers to make choices depending on their style and personality which in turn elevates the sales.
• Versatility: The versatility of sterling silver jewelry is unmatchable! They are effortlessly elegant and bestow a sophisticated, chic look. Be it necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pendants, sterling silver pieces have the ability to elevate looks without being too heavy on the pocket.