Sterling Silver Explained: What Buyers Should Know
Sterling Silver Explained: What Buyers Should Know
Understanding Purity, Tarnish Resistance, and Why It Remains a Best-Seller
Sterling silver has long held a timeless place in the world of jewelry. Its clean elegance, affordability, and versatility make it a favorite among consumers and retailers alike. But behind the shine is a complex material with technical nuances that buyers—especially wholesalers and brand developers—should understand.
At Salamander Jewelry, we work with sterling silver every day and serve clients across dozens of markets. In this post, we’ll break down exactly what you need to know about sterling silver: what it is, how it behaves, and why it continues to be a smart, sellable choice.
What Exactly Is Sterling Silver?
Sterling silver is not pure silver.
In fact, pure silver (99.9%) is too soft for most practical uses in jewelry. That’s why it’s alloyed—most commonly with copper—to make it harder and more durable.
The result is sterling silver, which by international standard is:
- 92.5% silver
- 7.5% other metals (usually copper)
This is often marked as 925, a stamp you’ll find on most quality sterling silver pieces.
What Does “925” Actually Mean?
The “925” hallmark is a guarantee of quality.
It tells the buyer that the item meets the legal standard for sterling silver. In most markets—including the US, EU, and UK—jewelry labeled as sterling silver must contain at least 92.5% pure silver.
At Salamander Jewelry, all our silver jewelry is crafted to 925 standard or above and meets hallmarking requirements based on destination markets.
Tarnish: Why It Happens and How We Control It
One of the most common questions buyers ask about sterling silver is:
“Will it tarnish?”
The answer is yes—but not because it’s low quality.
Tarnish occurs when the copper in the alloy reacts with sulfur or oxygen in the air, forming a dull, dark coating on the surface. This is a natural and harmless process that does not damage the metal—but it does affect appearance.
Here’s how Salamander helps combat tarnish:
- Anti-tarnish treatments: Many of our sterling silver items are coated with clear protective layers to delay oxidation.
- PVD Clear Film: For clients requiring maximum tarnish resistance, we offer clear PVD film, a thin, transparent protective layer applied using Physical Vapor Deposition technology. This dramatically reduces surface oxidation while preserving the look and feel of raw silver.
- Polishing and sealing: Our finishing processes ensure a high shine and smooth surface that resists tarnish longer.
Buyers can further protect silver jewelry by storing it properly and advising customers to keep it away from humidity, chemicals, and cosmetics.
Why Designers Love Sterling Silver
Beyond its quality and price point, sterling silver is beloved by designers for its workability. It allows for:
- Fine detailing
- Intricate casting
- Stone setting versatility
- Easy finishing and polishing
It also accepts a wide range of finishes—matte, high polish, oxidized, brushed—and can be electroplated or PVD-coated to offer different colors and textures.
At Salamander, we support custom orders, OEM projects, and bulk silver casting with full in-house capabilities—whether you’re developing your first line or expanding an established brand.
Why Sterling Silver Is a Smart Buy for Retailers
For wholesalers and private-label brands, sterling silver offers a strong value proposition:
- Lower cost than gold, but with similar aesthetic appeal
- Perceived value and customer familiarity
- High markup potential
- Ideal for layering and upselling with other metals
Because it straddles both luxury and accessibility, sterling silver performs well in both entry-level and premium jewelry collections.
Global Standards and Hallmarking
We ensure that all Salamander sterling silver jewelry complies with:
- International hallmarking laws
- Import/export standards
- REACH and Prop 65 (for metal content safety)
Need pieces stamped for EU markets or left unmarked for local branding? We handle all of that in-house, according to your destination requirements.
Why Work with Salamander for Sterling Silver Jewelry?
We’re not just silver specialists—we’re manufacturers with scale. Whether you need 100 or 10,000 units, we can provide:
- 925-certified sterling silver
- Customizable designs with 3D, casting, and plating options
- Finishing and protective PVD Clear Film options
- Fast production and competitive pricing
We also practice sustainable manufacturing, with refined casting powder, carbon tracking, and ethical sourcing policies that align with the values of today’s buyers.
In Summary: What Buyers Should Know
- Sterling silver = 92.5% silver (look for the 925 mark)
- It may tarnish over time—but Salamander applies anti-tarnish treatments and PVD Clear Film to reduce it
- Designers love its flexibility and workability
- Buyers value it for its affordability, elegance, and sell-through rate
- We offer full customization, bulk production, and international compliance
Looking to source premium sterling silver jewelry at scale?
Talk to our team to start building a line that’s as durable as it is desirable.