Silver is a precious metal that has been used for centuries to create jewelry, coins, and other objects. Sterling silver is an alloy of silver that contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. Sterling silver is more durable than pure silver and is less likely to tarnish.
There are a few ways to tell silver from sterling silver. One way is to look for a hallmark. A hallmark is a small mark that is stamped on the object and indicates the purity of the silver. Sterling silver will be hallmarked with the number “925” or the letters “STER.”