Sterling silver

Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5 % pure silver and 7.5 % other metals, usually copper. The fineness is thus 925 /1000 sec.

The name refers to the British pound sterling, sterling silver was the coinage of the early English silver pennies, the so-called " Sterlinge ".

The term " sterling " is derived from " e ( a) sterling " (from the east) ago and called early penny coins that were imported from mainland Europe to England. Before 1200 the term was in use in France.

Sterling silver is now for silver jewelery, coins, medals, trophies -, stamps, cutlery, flutes, and coatings on alloy wheels used. It is compared with pure silver harder. The color is more reddish compared to pure silver. Molten pure silver can be up to 20 times its own volume absorb oxygen, which suddenly escapes during solidification under a " spratzenden " noise and the surface ruptures. The copper content is reduced, the risk of Spitting and increases the hardness of the silver.

Vickers hardness HV 5:

• Fine silver annealed 35, 60 % cold worked 85
• Sterling Silver 75 annealed, 60% cold-worked 140