Material Standard // 02

Bright, and honest
about its age.

Sterling is the standard for silver jewelry: bright, workable and honest about its age. This is what the .925 mark means and how to keep it looking its best.

What .925 means

Pure silver is too soft for most jewelry, so it is alloyed for strength. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The .925 stamp on a piece tells you it meets that standard.

How sterling ages

Silver reacts with sulfur in the air and slowly darkens. This is tarnish, a thin surface film, not damage, and a polishing cloth removes it. Wearing silver often slows it down; storing it in a closed pouch or box when it is not worn slows it more.

Plate IIA sterling silver curb chain laid straight across black slate, one half polished bright

Plated sterling

Some Peelerie pieces are sterling silver plated in gold, and their names and product pages say so. The silver underneath is genuine sterling; the gold layer will wear with friction over time.

Sterling versus lower alloys

Jewelry described as “silver-tone”, “nickel silver” or “German silver” may contain little or no silver. Sterling is a regulated standard, and every Peelerie silver piece meets it.

Questions

Can I wear sterling silver every day?

Yes. Daily wear tends to keep it bright. Remove it for swimming, cleaning and bathing in hot springs, where chemicals speed tarnish.

How do I clean tarnished silver?

Use a silver polishing cloth. Avoid dips on pieces set with stones, pearls or onyx.

Is sterling silver hypoallergenic?

Sterling contains copper and occasionally other metals, so sensitivity varies from person to person. If you have a known metal allergy, check the product page and contact us before ordering.