What is sterling silver?

Sterling silver is a mixture of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. The copper is used as a hardner because pure silver is too soft for jewelry. Sterling silver is the standard for fine jewelry and is the whitest of all metals. It is considered hypoallergenic. It requires polishing to keep a shiny luster to the metal. Chemicals in some pools and spas can tarnish the silver. It may discolor or discolor someone's skin if they have high acidic levels in their perspiration. Cleaning and polishing the silver can always restore its natural shiny luster.