Sterling silver is at least 92.5 per cent pure silver, which is where the number 925 comes from: 925 parts of silver in every thousand.
Sterling Silver Stud, Drop and Hoop Earrings
Sterling silver is at least 92.5 per cent pure silver, which is where the number 925 comes from: 925 parts of silver in every thousand.
The rest is usually copper: on its own, pure silver is soft enough to scratch and mark easily, and the added metal makes it harder. Silver darkens over time as it reacts with sulphur in the air, and keeping earrings in a sealed polythene bag when they are not being worn helps to slow this down.
There are studs, drops and hoops for women and men, as well as sleepers: small earrings worn to keep the hole of a pierced ear from closing. Some are plain silver, while others are set with cubic zirconia, pearl or crystal, or with gemstones such as amethyst and blue topaz. For earrings in other metals, see the main earrings collection.
