Silver in its pure form is considered too soft to be used to make any jewelry, giftware etc.

Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy metal. Sterling is the primary material used for silver jewelry, giftware, hollowware (bowls, vases, serving dishes, trays, etc.) and flatware (cutlery).

Coin Silver
Coin silver is 90% pure silver and 10% alloy metal. Coin silver was used to make U.S. currency in the 19th century. It is no longer a commonly used material.

How to buy silver jewelry and gifts
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has established a set of stamps to represent the silver content in any item. These markings assure you that you are buying genuine silverware.
- Sterling silver is usually labeled as "silver", "solid silver" or "sterling". Sometimes a piece may also be stamped with "925", ".925" or "92.5"
- Coin silver is labeled as "coin silver", "coin", "900", "90" or ".900" signifying that the piece contains at least 90% pure silver.
- In addition to the FTC markings, look for the manufacturer's hallmarks. These signify the amount of work that has gone into making a silver item. Your professional jeweler can explain all these markings in greater detail.

Silver for Her
Silver gifts for women might include artful objects for the home, or those related to a hobby or career. Items such as make-up brushes, bracelets, purse mirror, heart shaped pill-boxes and silver chains make for great gift ideas.

Silver for Him
For men, silver can be the ultimate symbol of confidence and distinction. Silver cufflinks are a must for any man. Silver tie bars, I.D bracelets, signet rings, lighters, desk accessories, timepieces and engraved key rings make for great gift ideas.

Caring for your Silver
- Clean your silver jewelry with a mild soap and water solution, allowing water to bead up, and the pat dry with a soft cloth.
- Store silver in a cool, dry place, preferably in a tarnish-preventive bag or wrapped in a soft piece of felt cloth.
- Do not rub silver with anything other than a polishing cloth or a fine piece of felt. Tissue paper or paper towels can cause scratches because of the fibers in these products.
- Make sure your silver is not exposed to air or light during storage this can cause the silver to tarnish.


Jewelers of America, INC.