In this guide
This guide uses the Double Love Rhinestones Heart Necklace from our shop as its example. Everything said about the piece itself comes from its listing.
What the 925 stamp means, how sterling silver differs from silver-plated and silver-tone, and how to look after it.
What "925" means
Pure silver is too soft to hold its shape in jewellery, so it is mixed with a small amount of another metal, usually copper. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, which is where the number 925 comes from. Many sterling pieces carry a small "925" stamp on the clasp or the back.
Sterling, plated and silver-tone
- Sterling silver: silver alloy all the way through. It can be polished again and again and never wears through.
- Silver-plated: a thin layer of silver over another metal; it looks the same at first but can wear at the edges.
- Silver-tone: any silver-coloured metal, often steel or alloy, with no silver in it at all.
Why it is worth it
Sterling silver is the most affordable precious metal, it suits every skin tone, and with a little care it lasts for years. It also develops a soft, lived-in shine as you wear it, and it can always be brought back to bright with a polishing cloth.
About tarnish
Tarnish is a natural reaction with sulphur in the air, not a sign that a piece is fake. It is slowed by wearing silver often and by storing it in a closed pouch, and it polishes off easily.
About the Double Love Rhinestones Heart Necklace
The Double Love Rhinestones Heart Necklace is a silver-tone necklace with rhinestone accents and a heart motif. It is the kind of piece you put on in the morning and forget you are wearing until someone asks about it.
- Design: rhinestone accents and a heart motif.
- Material: 925 sterling silver.
- What arrives: One necklace.
Styling any necklace like this
A good rule for any necklace is to look at your neckline first. Crew necks suit pieces that sit above or well below the collar; V-necks frame a pendant; open collars and strapless tops leave room for anything. Keep the metal the same as your earrings and you can hardly go wrong.
If you wear more than one necklace, give each one its own height, about 2 inches (5 cm) apart, and vary the texture: a fine chain, a pendant, a bolder link. Fasten each clasp before you put the next one on and they are far less likely to tangle. For work, one or two quiet layers; for evenings, one standout piece is usually enough.
Wearing silver-tone jewellery
Silver-tone pieces look cool, clean and modern. They suit cool and neutral skin tones and look crisp with grey, navy, black, white and pastel colours. In winter, silver against a dark knit is one of the simplest ways to brighten an outfit.
Choosing a necklace that suits you
When choosing a necklace, check three things on the product page: the chain length (16 to 18 inches, 40 to 45 cm, is the most wearable), the size of the pendant, and the material. A pendant that is a little smaller than you first imagine is usually the one you end up wearing every day.
What to wear it with
Pieces from the shop in the same tone that complete the look: - Geometric Dangle Wear Hoop Earrings: earrings, $21.00. - Belt Bracelet in 925 Sterling Silver: bracelet, $21.00.
Wearing it all year
Through the year: in summer, a necklace is often the only jewellery you need with a vest top or a linen shirt, and shorter lengths show best against bare skin. In autumn and winter, wear it over a fine knit or a polo neck, or let a longer chain sit on top of a jumper so it is not hidden by coats and scarves.
Caring for sterling silver
Sterling silver is 92.5% silver, so it darkens slowly when it meets air and moisture: that is tarnish, and it polishes off. Wear it often, which keeps it bright, wipe it with a soft cloth after wearing, and store it in a closed pouch or bag. For darker tarnish, a silver polishing cloth is all you need; skip toothpaste and baking-soda tricks, which scratch. The listing adds: Keep it dry, wipe gently after wearing and store it flat or hanging so the chain does not knot.
As a gift
A necklace is one of the easiest gifts to get right: no size to guess, and it is seen every day. Check the delivery dates on the product page before you order if you are buying for a date, and add a short handwritten note: it turns a pretty piece into a message.
Buying from Liravelle
The product page lists what the piece is made of, what arrives and the delivery dates before you order, and the confirmation email repeats them. Free US delivery over $50. 30-day returns. Tracked delivery.
Questions and answers
Is 925 sterling silver real silver?
Yes, it is 92.5% pure silver; the rest makes it strong enough to wear.
Does 925 silver tarnish?
It can darken over time, but it polishes back to bright easily.
Can I wear sterling silver every day?
Yes, and wearing it often actually helps keep it bright.
