Pure silver is generally far too soft to be used for jewellery so is combined with other elements to improve its durability and colour. The most popular silver mix used for jewellery is Sterling Silver, which consists of 92.5% pure silver alloy with copper usually making up most of the other 7.5%. However, there is at least one company currently producing 925 (i.e. 92.5% silver or sterling silver) silver using a combination of different elements to help reduce tarnishing significantly. This is a new product though and unlikely to filter through to more mainstream silver jewellery for some time.

In the UK its illegal to actually call a product silver unless it comprises of at least 92.5% pure silver, although unless the weight is greater than 7.78g silver goods do not require a hallmark by UK law. Indeed, on smaller items it is often uneconomic to have silver items hallmarked although many will carry a 925 stamp usually applied abroad during the manufacturing process to indicate Sterling Silver.

Due to its very nature silver is prone to tarnishing with prolonged contact with the air or the chemicals found on the surface of many peoples skin. Tarnish can easily be removed by gentle polishing with a silver cloth or commercial silver dip available in most jewellers and supermarkets. However, these solutions are often unsuitable for silver jewellery inset with stone or composite jewellery so make sure to read the instructions properly before use.

Although some people will swear by more abrasive cleaners, even using something like toothpaste, this will usually simply dull the shine over time by leaving small scratches in the silver.

An alternative to occasional cleaning with specialist cleaners is simply a more regular cleaning in warm soapy water and a soft sponge or cloth. Once cleaned this way jewellery should be thoroughly dried.