Is sterling silver a metal alloy? Its components include pure silver and other metals, often copper. For a metal alloy to be considered sterling silver, 92.5% of the alloy must be pure silver. The addition of another metal gives the alloy strength and durability without losing the appearance of silver.
Buyers can always be assured they are purchasing genuine 925 sterling silver jewellery by selecting a reputable seller. Look for a quality stamp on a pair of sterling silver earrings too to verify their authenticity. There are many other ways to determine if a jewellery piece derives from real silver. Try holding the piece of jewellery up to a magnet; it should not stick to the magnet if it is truly made from genuine 925 sterling silver.