925 Sterling Silver

Silver is a precious metal on a par with gold and platinum. It is sometimes referred to as Sterling Silver. By definition, pure silver must contain 99 to 100% silver. It's a fairly soft metal, so one or more metals are added to make it harder and easier to work. 925 Sterling Silver therefore contains a minimum of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals.
To find out more about this metal, take a look at our practical information sheet on the different types of silver.

925 Sterling Silver naturally darkens in contact with air, but is easy to clean. Several solutions are available to suit your needs:

• Cleaning cloth: micro-abrasive and impregnated with a non-toxic product, it polishes all metals.
• Wipes: practical for restoring shine and lustre, they should not be wet.
• Homemade tip: a little toothpaste on a soft toothbrush effectively cleans a blackened chain.
  Find out more about our tips for cleaning silver jewelry.

To delay oxidation, store your jewelry in a case away from light and humidity.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned designer, give free rein to your imagination and create trendy 925 Sterling Silver jewelry!
Here are a few creative ideas:

• Create a personalized 925 Sterling Silver pregnancy bola necklace. The ideal gift for a mother-to-be, it takes just a few minutes to make.
• Stones and silver blend perfectly! Make this multi-row necklace in malachite.
• What do you think of this pair of original bohemian earrings? Very easy to make, simply add grigri charms to a creole to decorate.
• A claspless weekly bracelet with natural stone beads. It has a deliberately destroy look that's absolutely on-trend.
• Start creating your own silver jewelry from A to Z with this poetic and delicate ring or this semainier bracelet. To help you, follow our videos to learn how to solder silver, use a bocfil, braze a ring...

Yes,925 Sterling Silver naturally oxidizes over time. Composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper or other metals, it is sensitive to humidity, air, sulfur and chemicals (perfume, pool water, cosmetics). This process can lead to blackening or tarnishing of the jewel, which is perfectly normal.

However, oxidation of 925 Sterling Silver is easily reversible. A simple , gentle cleaning (with a special cloth, bicarbonate, or a suitable solution) is all that's needed to restore the shine to your beads, charms or pendants. We also recommend storing your silver components in an airtight pouch, away from light and humidity, to slow down this phenomenon.

925 Sterling Silver remains one of the best alloys for the creation of DIY or professional jewelry. Even if it oxidizes over time, it never loses its qualities or its value.

Yes,925 Sterling Silver is considered a precious metal. It is composed of 92.5% pure silver, alloyed with 7.5% other metals to reinforce its solidity while preserving silver's natural lustre. The title "925" guarantees a noble quality, internationally recognized in the jewelry industry.

Silver is classified as a precious metal, alongside gold and platinum, because of its rarity, intrinsic value and unique aesthetic properties. It is widely used in jewelry-making, notably for its luminous reflections and its ability to be worked easily, whether for beads, charms or components.

To fully understand precious metals, and how to recognize them by their hallmarks, please refer to our data sheet on the subject.

Like all precious metals, the sale of 925 Sterling Silver is subject to precise regulations.

Yes, 925 Sterling Silver jewelry can be gilded using the plating technique (fine gold plating, gold plating, vermeil). This involves depositing a thin layer of gold on the surface of the silver. The result is aesthetically pleasing and allows you to vary styles, while retaining the quality of 925 Sterling Silver.

We offer a wide selection of components in 925 Sterling Silver, Fine gold plated and even gold-plated.

To make jewelry with 925 Sterling Silver components, you'll need the classics:

• A base: wire, chain, nail... we recommend you use a base of the same material as the rest of your jewelry, to avoid differences in wear and aging.
• Components: 925 Sterling Silver beads, charms, pendants, engraved medals...
• Clasps: magnetic,lobster clasp, T-clasp, spring clasp- the choice is yours!
• Connecting rings: double or single, for hanging charms or attaching clasps.

As for tools, we recommend pliers, such as flat or round pliers, to open the rings.

If you wish to engrave on 925 Sterling Silver, use punches or a Dremel Engraver.

If you have a soldering chain, follow our expert's advice.