What is Sterling silver?
{{multiple image | direction = vertical | width = 180 | header= | image1 = TiffanyPitcher.jpg | caption1 = [[Tiffany & Co.]] pitcher, {{circa|1871}} | image2 = british hallmarks.jpg | caption2 = Hallmarks on British sterling silver | image3 = StirlingSilverForks.jpg|thumb|right|175px|Pair of sterling silver [[fork]]s |caption3 = Pair of sterling silver forks}} '''Sterling silver''' is an [[alloy]] of [[silver]] containing 92.5% by mass of silver and 7.5% by mass of other metals, usually [[copper]]. The sterling silver standard has a minimum of 925 in continental European terms. Pure silver, for example 99.9% pure, is generally too soft for making objects for use. Therefore, the silver is usually alloyed with copper to give it strength while keeping the [[ductility]] and beauty of the [[precious metal]]. Other metals can replace the copper, to improve various properties of the basic sterling alloy such as increasing resistance to [[tarnish]]. These replacement metals include [[germanium]], [[zinc]] and [[platinum]], as well as a variety of other additives, including [[silicon]] and [[boron]]. Alloys such as [[argentium]] silver have appeared in recent decades. Argentium silver has some [[germanium]] added, and resists tarnishing well. The first [[legal]] definition of sterling silver appeared in 1275. A statute of [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] specified that 12&nbsp;[[ounce]]s of silver for coinage should contain 11&nbsp;ounces {{frac|2|1|4}}&nbsp;[[pennyweight]]s of silver and {{frac|17|3|4}}&nbsp;pennyweights of alloy, with 20 pennyweights to the Troy ounce.<ref>{{cite book |title=Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons: 1866 |volume=II |date=23 March 1866 |publisher=House of Commons |pages=14–15 |oclc=11900114}}</ref> Sterling silver standards are protected by [[hallmark]]s stamped on pieces by officials. == References == {{reflist}} {{Jewellery}} [[Category:Alloys]] [[Category:Standards]]