Classic sterling silver bead necklace

Silver is a metal that is shiny, highly reflective and often described as a white metal. Its pure form, called fine silver, is too soft for everyday use, so sterling silver is commonly used by jewelers. It consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% of another metal, usually copper, which gives the sterling silver its durability. When learning how to buy sterling silver jewelry, there are certain qualities of the metal, such as luster and shine, that should be taken into consideration. Quality stamps or marks, also called hallmarks, are also usually inscribed on sterling silver jewelry and give the buyer an indication of the quality of each piece. When buyers understand what to look for in sterling silver jewelry, they will be able to find quality items that will last for years.