Sterling silver

Sterling silver is an alloy composed by weight of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness of 925.

Tiffany & Co. pitcher (c. 1871) having paneled sides and repoussé design with shells, scrolls and flowers; top edge is repousse arrowhead leaf design

A Macedonian sterling silver Hanukkah menorah

A Chinese export sterling silver punch bowl, c. 1875 (from the Huntington Museum of Art)

Fine silver, which is 99.9% pure silver, is relatively soft, so silver is usually alloyed with copper to increase its hardness and strength. Sterling silver is prone to tarnishing,^[1] and elements other than copper can be used in alloys to reduce tarnishing, as well as casting porosity and firescale. Such elements include germanium, zinc, platinum, silicon, and boron. Recent examples of these alloys include argentium, sterlium and silvadium.^[2]