Sterling Silver vs Non-Sterling Silver for Necklaces

WHS_Designs
Honored Contributor II

Does anyone know how the sterling silver necklaces are differentiated from the silver necklaces?

Is there a .925 stamp or STER notation on the back of the necklace to confirm its authenticity?

7 REPLIES 7

idraw
Honored Contributor

@WHS_Designs 

I have a few (older) silver 92.5 jewelry pieces. And they are stamped 925. 
Great question. I thought Z handled this years ago when the necklaces were promoted as sterling silver, and a shopkeeper asked, and the sterling silver label was supposedly changed. But you can see---
Since the product description clearly says 'silver plated', I don't believe they can  use the "925 stamp" on the product.
In product description it says ——custom made, sterling silver necklace.
under dimensions is says
▪ Plated with Sterling Silver
Company: Will be made by PlanetJill Studio City, CA

further info (for everyone reading this):
sterling silver is an alloy composed of at least 92.5% pure silver, while plated silver is a silver coating applied to another metal

https://www.monicavinader.com/us/our-blog/silver-plated-vs-sterling-silver
Sterling silver jewellery differs from silver plated in what it is made of. Sterling silver is an alloy, made of 92.5% pure silver, and 7.5% other alloy. These other alloys tend to be copper or zinc. Due to the pure silver constitution, sterling silver is often known as 925 silver.

CreativeLeahG
Honored Contributor III

If memory serves 'silver' jewelry (fine silver) is not often used in jewelry making as it is too soft.  Sterling Silver is a combo to give it added strength. I use 99.9 silver rods for creating colloidal silver and they're fairly soft and bendy. Sterling silver holds it's shape better and is less likely to scratch etc And as noted above, can't use the 92.5 on plated items.

WHS_Designs
Honored Contributor II

@CreativeLeahG @idraw thanks for weighing in!

Barbara
Esteemed Contributor

I just now checked one of the necklaces, the eWatch necklace, which says, "This watch is Alloy with a polished and brushed combination finish.Alloy Chain." Metals can be alloyed, such as stainless steal, alloy being a description of the process, but there's no official metal called "Alloy." Even sterling is an alloy. Zazzle might want to revisit this description and any others like it.

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Barbara
Esteemed Contributor

Note me: It's spelled "steel," not "steal."

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A_New_View
Valued Contributor

One difference worth noting: I purchased a necklace for a friend awhile back (not the sterling silver) and it turned my friend's neck green. Boy did I feel bad. Now, this may have been due to an allergy or something personal - I'm not criticizing Zazzle in the least. Anyway, I suspect that a sterling silver would not have had the same effect. 

Barbara
Esteemed Contributor

It's almost always copper combined with an individual's chemistry that's the culprit. It's common but not universal. For instance, I can wear pure copper without any reaction. Your friend, however, has something in her perspiration or skin oil that's reacting, and she's likely experienced it before. Unfortunately, a lot of alloys (including sterling) use copper.

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