Pure Silver vs. Sterling Silver Bracelets: What’s the Difference?

For decades, silver has been a popular and classic metal choice for all types of jewelry. The classic beauty, versatility, and affordability of silver compared to many other types of precious metals can make silver the best option to consider when buying bracelets, rings, necklaces, etc. 

When shopping for silver bracelets, you will probably come across the terms "pure silver" and "sterling silver" often. 

Both terms refer to jewelry that contains the same type of metal (silver); however, there is a difference between their composition and strength and whether or not you would be able to utilize them on a daily basis. Once you have determined these differences, you will then be able to get a better understanding as to what type of bracelet would best fit your taste and lifestyle.

What Is Pure Silver?

Fine silver is defined as 99.9% silver (with minimal amounts of other materials). Due to the high purity of the metal, it has a bright reflective visual quality and is very smooth and soft in feel.

Because of the way that pure silver is made, it is naturally soft and bendable as well. As a result of this softness, pure silver is not ideal for use in jewelry that must be worn on a regular basis. Bracelets made from pure silver tend to bend easily or get scratched if they are not treated with care.

Because of the fact that pure silver is not typically used to make jewelry that will be worn every day or very frequently, it can often be found in decorative items, coins, or very often worn pieces of jewelry. Though pure silver provides a visually appealing shine, the softness of the metal makes it susceptible to damage unless proper care is taken.

What Is Sterling Silver?

The type of metal known as sterling silver has a basic ingredient ratio of 92.5% silver, plus a number of other metals (7.5%), with copper being the most common. The addition of copper provides a level of durability that silver alone does not provide, making it suitable for everyday use.

The pure form of the alloy is marked with a 925 symbol used to identify the level of purity.

Although these additional metals do not have any noticeable effect on the final appearance of whatever form you intend to make with sterling silver, they do significantly improve both the strength and resistance to wear.

Another benefit of wearing a sterling silver bracelet is that it will not deform nearly as easily as wearing a bracelet made from pure silver. In fact, you will find that wearing a sterling silver bracelet will help it retain its shape rather than deforming.

Differences in Durability

When it comes to bracelets, the major distinction between sterling and pure sterling silver is the level of durability. With their softness, pure silver bracelets are highly vulnerable to collecting scratches, dents, and deformities, so they still can be made into pretty much anything; however, they will need to be treated nicely, as they may not hold up under normal (wear/tear) conditions if being worn regularly.

On the other hand, sterling silver has a small amount of added metals that provides an overall stronger material to withstand normal usage. For that reason, most silver jewelry sold at retail is made primarily from sterling silver rather than pure silver.

Thus, for someone who wants to wear a bracelet every day, usually a bracelet made from sterling will be their most suitable option.

Appearance and Shine

Jewelry lovers usually adore the glimmering beauty of both pure (fine) silver and sterling silver. While pure (fine) silver has a higher percentage of silver in it than sterling silver and therefore may be slightly shinier in appearance, there is usually only a small visual difference between sterling silver and pure (fine) silver; the two types of metal usually need to be closely examined in order to see that they aren’t exactly the same type of metal.

Even though sterling silver does have the classic look of pure (fine) silver, it’s possible to polish sterling silver to give the silver a brilliant shine after polishing.

Although sterling silver naturally develops tarnish if left exposed to moisture and/or air for too long, proper caring/daily maintenance of your sterling silver keeps it shiny and looking great for many years of wear; by simply washing/cleaning regularly and having professional alternating periods of polishing and cleaning, your sterling silver bracelets will continue to retain the elegance they are designed to exhibit.

Price and Value

As a result of having a greater number of silver atoms in pure silver, it generally costs more than sterling silver; however, the variation in price between both types of jewelry largely depends on the craftsmanship and design of the piece and also has more to do with the reputation of the brand than the actual amount of metal present in either type of silver.

Sterling silver is a great option to use for any type of jewelry because it gives the user the ability to possess something that is not only beautiful but also durable. This makes it an ideal material for bracelets because they last longer while still maintaining the same traditional look you would get if you were wearing pure silver.

When determining which one to buy, this depends on how often the bracelet is used and how much you want to care for it.

Choosing the Right Silver Bracelet

When choosing a silver bracelet, you have to think about both your style and functionality when deciding on a piece of jewelry. Pure silver is extremely pure and bright, which works well for jewelry that you may only wear on a few oc

casions. On the other hand, sterling silver is strong and durable and works great for everyday pieces.

Both pure silver and sterling silver can be very beautiful additions to any jewelry collection when made with high-quality craftsmanship and great attention to detail.

Shubh Jewellers has an excellent selection of high-quality silver bracelets that will go with any outfit and at any time. From classic to contemporary, all of our silver bracelet designs have been created with beauty, comfort, and durability in mind.