925 sterling silver jewelry is actually a combination of 92.5% silver and usually 7.5% copper. It is nickel free and sometimes the craftsman replaces copper with another material, or even a combination of materials. Over the last decade lower copper prices and an abundance of copper due to improved refining techniques have made it the first choice of many designers and jewelry stylists.

The beneficial properties gained by adding the copper to the pure silver have made the resulting product extremely popular with a host of silver craftsmen. Earrings, necklaces,braceletsand all other forms of jewelry can be carefully designed with the assurance that each intricate bend and turn will remain firmly in place.

925 silver is therefore a combination of mostly pure silver and a lower percentage of infused alloy metal. The addition of copper, or occasionally a similar copper-like substitute, helps to enhance your silver jewelry and does not in any way detract from its quality.

It is important to check that your silver jewelry is high quality 925 sterling silver before making a purchase. In the UK nearly all 925 sterling silver jewelry is hallmarked. All of the silver jewelry Purdue sells complies with relevant hallmarking requirements. If you are purchasing in another country, we advise you to check with the regional or national silver jewelry hallmarking body to find out if retailers can sell inferior lower grade silver jewelry without informing you and this can result in it tarnishing quickly.