Sterling Silver: Origin, History and Composition
Sterling silver is much more than just a material for making jewelry and everyday objects. It is a term that is closely linked to the history of England and the development of money. In this article, we take a detailed look at the origin of sterling silver, the historical use of the term, and the composition and benefits of various silver alloys.
The origin of the term "sterling"
The name "sterling" itself has its roots in the Middle French "esterling," meaning "coming from the east." It originally referred to the early penny coins imported to England from the eastern regions of Europe. These coins were known for their quality and soon became a standard for the kingdom's monetary system. Over time, the term "sterling" was applied to the English silver coins and their alloy.
Historically, "sterling" first referred to the early English silver pennies, which were called "sterlings." These coins were crucial to economic stability in the Middle Ages and contributed to the development of the British pound sterling. Before 1200, the term was also used in France to denote similar coins, demonstrating the far-reaching meaning and influence of the term in the then-unified European economy.
Composition of Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is an alloy that consists mainly of silver. The most common types are:
925 Sterling Silver: This alloy consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, typically copper. This combination makes the silver more durable and resistant to scratches and wear. 925 Sterling Silver is the global standard for making jewelry and other silver items.
935 Sterling Silver: This alloy contains 93.5% silver, making it purer than 925 Sterling Silver. The 6.5% additives also strive for durability, but are less commonly found. 935 Sterling Silver is becoming increasingly popular, especially in artisanal jewelry production, as it offers a higher level of purity.
Pure Fine Silver: Pure silver has a purity of 99.9% and is referred to as “fine silver”. Although it offers the highest quality of silver, fine silver is not ideal for everyday use due to its soft texture, as it is very susceptible to scratches and dents.
Advantages of 935 Sterling Silver over Fine Silver
935 Sterling silver has several advantages:
Durability: Compared to fine silver, 935 sterling silver is more durable due to the smaller amount of pure silver and the addition of other metals. This makes it ideal for making jewelry that will endure the wear and tear of daily use.
Less susceptibility to damage: Because 935 Sterling silver is harder and less sensitive, it experiences less wear and tear and retains its aesthetic properties over a longer period of time.
Shiny appearance: 935 sterling silver has the ability to develop a beautiful shine that is often perceived as warmer and more inviting than fine silver.
Environmental friendliness: A significant advantage of 935 Sterling silver is that we only use 100% recycled 935 Sterling silver for our handmade jewelry . This minimizes the ecological footprint of jewelry production and helps reduce resource consumption.
Conclusion
Sterling silver has a rich and fascinating history that is deeply interwoven with the economic development and social structures of England. Through its composition and the most popular variants, such as 925 and 935 Sterling silver, it offers an excellent balance between quality and durability. In particular, our approach of using only 100% recycled 935 Sterling silver for handmade jewelry underlines our commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. This means that the beauty and value of sterling silver can not only be appreciated, but also enjoyed in a responsible way.
