Sterling Silver Versus Real Silver

February 1st, 2010 admin Posted in Articles | Comments Off

What is the difference between sterling silver and real silver? Is sterling silver real silver? Find out the differences between these silvers so you can better identify and evaluate scrap silver you may come across.

First thing new silver investors should know is the different silvers. Essentially there is only one silver, just in different purities. Purity is how much silver content is present in the metal. When silver is mined, there are different contaminants and metals that are taken in with the silver. Also, when items are made they are made with different contents of silver mixed with different metals to save money, or to make different qualities of the silver such as to make it stronger, or look shinier.

The most common silver contents are 999 pure, 925 sterling silver, and 900 silver. What this means is for every one ounce of gold contains a percentage of silver. Pure is 99.9% percent silver, Sterling is 92.5% silver, and .900 is 90% silver.

So the most desirable silver is almost pure. This however is really only seen in minted coins, and bullion bars, which means sellers know its true value. This silver is meant mostly as investment value.

Next, is 90% silver which most older circulated coins were made of. This includes Morgan and Peace dollars, Kennedy and half dollars, mercury dimes, etc. These also have intrinsic value, so are worth more than the actual silver because of their collector value and ease to sell.

Lastly, sterling is more valuable than 900 silver, but less valuable than 999 silver. Sterling is used most commonly in jewelry, silverware, and flatware. It has more metals in it to make it stronger. Sterling is harder than pure silver, so has more uses. It is worthwhile to find, because it often can be picked up cheaper than the above silvers, and it can be bought, invested in, and resold, just as easy as the other silvers.

So, real silver is the more valuable, but often sterling is the better buy. Below are some examples of sterling silver in its various forms.