STERLING SILVER is by far the most popular type of silver used in jewellery - it is a silver alloy made from 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper.

Mixing silver with other metals makes it harder and more durable, which is why most silver items are made from alloys instead of pure silver.

It is also known as 925 STERLING SILVER, referring to its composition of 925 parts silver per thousand.