You may not know it, but the metal makeup of your jewelry carries a lot of weight.
Despite the fact that many metals look similar, their material foundations are different—which affects their care, their longevity, and even their beautiful luster!
There are few metals that spark as much confusion as sterling silver and stainless steel. But what are the similarities and differences between these materials, and why should it affect your choice of jewelry?
Here’s what you should know about the difference between stainless steel and sterling silver.
Stainless Steel vs. Sterling Silver
First of all, let’s take a look at these two materials in their most basic form to understand the differences.
What Is Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is an alloy, or a metal mixture, of both steel and chromium.
Steel, of course, is known for its durability and strength, which is why it is often used as a functional building material. Most of us will be less familiar with chromium, which is a refractory metal most often used in chromium plating, or “chrome.”
When added to steel, chromium increases the steel’s resistance to oxidation. This in turn can make the resulting mixture less changeable. It also adds a little lustrous shine.
Thanks to its beauty and durability, stainless steel is used in jewelry, utensils and cookware, and surgical equipment.
What Is Sterling Silver?
Sterling silver is another alloy, but this one is made of a very specific mixture: 92.5% silver and 7.5% of another metal, often copper. (This is why many pieces of sterling silver jewelry carry a marking that says “.925,” which sets it apart as premium sterling silver.) Silver alone is too soft to create anything that would hold its shape over long periods, which is why another metal must be used to add strength.
Sterling silver is used in jewelry and cookware as well. However, it’s also preferred for decorative ornaments and certain types of musical instruments.
What Is the Difference Between Stainless Steel and Sterling Silver?
Because both of these alloys are composed of different metals, there are a few distinctions between them—despite the fact that they look very similar!
Thanks to the influence of the added chromium, stainless steel does not tarnish (as the name suggests). The resulting product is a little duller than sterling silver, which is why it’s often used to make affordable jewelry that serves as the background for more attention-grabbing pieces, like cheap silver chains designed to display stunning pendants.
Sterling silver, on the other hand, is lighter and more lustrous than stainless steel—but that lightness comes at a cost. It can be a little softer than stainless steel, and it will also tarnish unless it’s properly cared for.
Choose With Care
Now that you know the difference, it can be easier to choose between the two options. Durability and resistance to tarnishing may be great for some jewelry wearers, while others will prefer more of a classic luster. Whatever you decide, it’ll have the beautiful silver look you’re going for—so you can’t go wrong!
For more lifestyle and beauty tips, be sure to check out the rest of the blog!
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay
A millenial mom (of two boys) who has passion in makeup and motherhood in between.
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Ahhh yun PAla kaibahan nila momsh ang galing naalala ko nung last month momsh nakapulot mister ko ng silver momsh sabi ko baka fake yan tas binenta nya sa sanglaan nabenta nya 7OO walang wala kami nun momsh swerte nya sa kaksada nya nakita momsh
Thanks for sharing this momsh,ngayon alam ko na kung pano kumilatis ng good quality,durable na jewelries.
Yun po pala ang pinagkaiba po nung stainless at sterlibg silver. Mahirap po talaga sila minsan ma distinguish kung ano po si stainless kay sterling.. 🖒 salamat po sa tip na ito..
Thanks for this very informative blog post Momsh ngayon ko lang nalaman yung difference between stainless steel and sterling silver now I know di nako matatakot bumili sa mga kakilala ko cause madali ko na sya ma identify 😍
Ang laki ng pinag kaiba talaga nila mommy makikita mo talaga sa kanila pag malaking pagkakaiba sa isat isa
Very interesting read. Will probably spend the next few days scanning jewelry to distinguish stainless steel ones from sterling silver LOL
Wow. Ang ganda ng topic sa blog na to. Ang daming learning, ngayon ko lang din nalaman ang kaibahan ng stainless steel sa sterling silver. Dapat talaga matuto tayong kumilatis.
Ngayon ko Lang nalaman pagkakaiba ,ngayon may idea na ako if bibili ako ng silver 😊food thing I know ..thanks for sharing♥️
Thanks for sharing this mommy.,ganun pala un kung pano kumilatis ng good quality,yun ang pinagkaibahan nila. Ang laki ng pinagkaiba nila sa bawat isa .
ngayon alam ko na po pag kakaiba ng stainless sa sterling.maganda talaga nalalaman natin kung anu talaga ang silver. ngayon alam ko na momsh titignan ko kung yong binigay ba sa akin sterling silver.hehe
hahahha napakahilig ko sa silver mag kaiba pala sila, kaya pala minsan yung ibang silver madali mamuti kumpara sa isa kong nabili yun pala mag kaiba sila ng klase pero same SILVER. hmmm now aware na ako sa kanila salamat
Now I know, ang laki po talaga Ng difference nila dagdag kaalaman Ito for me the next time na pipili ako Ng jewelryay idea na ako salamat po
Wow.😍 Ganun pala yun? Thank you po momsh sa pag differentiate ng 2.. kasi minsan may mga nagbebenta dba? Sasabihin silver to, un pala stainless.. now i know 😁😁.. kelangang maging wise buyer at kilatisin ng mabuti .
Yay!Thanks momsh for sharing dagdag kaalaman din itong blog mo about the difference ng stainless at sterling,Minsan kasi di talaga natin alam pagkakaiba dahil same lang naman.Kaya pag nagbuy ako alam ko na😊
Yun pala pinagkaiba ng stainless sa sterling . Mas gusto ko kasi ang stainless ndi nangingitim unlike silver pero nalilinis ang silver pra bumalik sa dati .
Wow very informative yun pala ang kaibahan ng silver stainless sa sterling, kaya pala may mga silver na nangigitim bongga now alam ko na pagbibili ng silver😁
Ang laki pala ng pinagkaiba nila. Kailangan pala talaga marunong kumilatis kc kung titingnan mo lang parang wala naman masyadong pagkakaiba sa kanilang dalawa.. Thanks for sharing momsh!
Kapag hindi ka talaga wearer ng jewels it’s hard to distinguish which is stainless and silver. They look closely same. But as time goes by, you will realized that silver looks even better than stainless steel 😊