BOLD – UNIQUE – ORIGINAL

To explain, let’s first go back to Silver, or Pure Silver.  Silver’s purity carries a numeric designation based on 1,000. Pure silver usually carries a 999 rating.  In its purest form silver is very soft.

To improve functionality and durability, pure silver is mixed with other metals (usually copper).  Sterling silver contains 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper or other alloy.

The term “sterling” is believed to have originated in England in the 12th century, when a standard for silver coins was introduced by Henry II. The standard required that silver coins contain a minimum of 92.5% pure silver, with the remaining percentage made up of other metals, primarily copper. This standard, known as the “sterling standard,” became widely adopted in many countries and is still used today to define sterling silver.

One of the challenges with sterling silver is that it can tarnish over time due to exposure to air and moisture. This is because copper, one of the alloying metals in sterling silver, can react with sulfur and other substances in the air, resulting in a darkening or dulling of the silver’s surface. However, tarnish can be easily removed with proper cleaning and care.