Most silver found in the marketplace today is 925 silver.  To increase the strength of the metal, other materials are added to the silver.  One of these combinations is known as 925 sterling silver.  It is a blending mix obtained from 92.5% silver & 7.5% copper or other metals or combinations of materials.  Copper is considered the best choice, as copper is cheap and the refining techniques have improved during the last few years.

An exception to this is the silver we can get from the Hill Tribes in Tibet.  It is 95-99% pure silver and is molded over resin for stability.

Care:  With proper care, your fine quality silver will last a lifetime. To miniumize scrathces and other damage, store your silver jewlery either in a cloth pouch or in a separate compartment  in your jewelry box.  Avoid exposing your silver to household chemicals when cleaning with bleach or ammonia or when swimming in chlorinated water, as these chemicals can damage silver.