When shopping for jewellery, you’ve probably come across both sterling silver and silver-plated pieces. Both options shine with an eye-catching, silvery lustre, but there are key differences that set them apart. While silver-plated jewellery might be more affordable upfront, sterling silver stands out as the superior choice for those looking for long-lasting value, durability, and a high-quality investment. Let’s dive into why sterling silver should be your go-to option, whether you’re building a jewellery collection or looking for the perfect gift.
What is Sterling Silver?
Sterling silver is a high-quality metal made up of 92.5% pure silver, with the remaining 7.5% typically consisting of another metal, usually copper. This alloy mix ensures the metal is durable and strong, making it perfect for jewellery that needs to withstand daily wear. You can spot genuine sterling silver jewellery by the “925” stamp—this tells you that it’s 92.5% silver.
What’s great about sterling silver is its longevity. With proper care, it can last a lifetime and still look great, making it a smart investment. It’s not only durable, but it also develops a natural patina over time, adding character to the piece. Learn more about how you can restore it if something goes wrong on the link.
What is Silver-Plated Jewellery?
On the other hand, silver-plated jewellery is created by coating a base metal—such as brass, copper, or nickel—with a thin layer of silver. This layer is often only a few microns thick, and while it may look similar to sterling silver at first, it’s not nearly as durable. Over time, the silver plating can wear off, exposing the base metal underneath.
Silver-plated jewellery is typically more affordable than sterling silver, making it a good option for those on a budget or for fashion-forward pieces that might not need to last forever. However, the quality can vary, and as the plating wears down, the item can lose its appeal and even tarnish quickly.
Durability and Longevity
One of the major advantages of sterling silver over silver-plated jewellery is its durability. Sterling silver is solid throughout, meaning it won’t lose its lustre or shine as easily as silver-plated jewellery. Even though sterling silver does tarnish over time, it’s relatively easy to clean and polish back to its original brilliance.
Silver-plated jewellery, however, can begin to lose its shine much faster. Since the silver coating is so thin, it can wear off with regular use, revealing the base metal underneath. This means that over time, silver-plated jewellery may require more frequent replacement, costing you more in the long run.
Aesthetic Appeal
When it comes to aesthetics, both sterling silver and silver-plated jewellery can look stunning, especially when they’re new. But there’s a noticeable difference when it comes to how they age. Sterling silver jewellery has a natural, timeless beauty that improves with age. The slight tarnish that forms gives it a rich patina, adding character to the piece. Plus, it retains its shine and lustre, making it perfect for jewellery that can be worn every day.
Silver-plated jewellery may look identical to sterling silver when it’s new, but it tends to lose its lustre as the silver plating wears off. Over time, the underlying base metal might begin to show through, and the piece can appear worn or dull. For jewellery that you want to last, sterling silver is the better choice.
Signs You Need Hypoallergenic Jewellery
Skin Irritation
There are going to be physical signs that you need to wear hypoallergenic jewellery. For example, there’s going to be irritation to the skin that the jewellery is sitting on. This can include looking red and like there’s a skin condition. This redness is caused by a reaction in the skin to the nickel. Make sure you don’t ignore it because it can become painful.
It is Itchy
Perhaps your skin has become red and you’ve also noticed that it’s causing you discomfort. In particular, it can get really itchy, which can be irritating. This is a sign that there’s something in the jewellery you’re wearing that doesn’t agree with you. It’s going to deter you from wearing those pieces, which can be frustrating. But, if you buy hypoallergenic jewellery, you won’t have to worry about discomfort.
Green Discolouration
Have you noticed that when you take your jewellery off at the end of the day, there is a green or black colour on the skin? This isn’t your imagination. Instead, when you’re allergic to materials, it can discolour the skin. It’s a reaction from the oils and the materials, such as copper or nickel.
Conclusion: Why Sterling Silver is the Superior Choice
When it comes to durability, aesthetic appeal, value for money, and hypoallergenic properties, sterling silver undoubtedly reigns supreme over silver-plated jewellery. While silver-plated pieces might be more affordable upfront, they simply don’t offer the same lasting value. Sterling silver, with its timeless beauty and durability, makes for a smarter investment in the long run.
At Slight Wave, learn why sterling silver is the ultimate choice for quality, longevity, and everyday elegance.