There are many varieties of silver used in jewellery. Pure silver is rarely used because it is very soft and pliable and prone to tarnishing. Pure silver is taken to mean 99.9% silver. Most 'pure silver' on the market is over 99.5% or 995 Fine. Over the years, popular mixes have become standardized, for example 958 Britannia, 950 French 1st Standard, 950 PS, 925 Sterling, and 900 Coin. Most tribal silver is 800 or less although it is rarely stamped and its exact silver content is often not considered important.

US Law prohibits the labelling of anything less than 900 as silver. UK Law only recognizes silver assayed in the UK, so regardless of content it is considered 'White Metal' until it has visited the assay office.

Sterling Silver (925)

Sterling Silver is 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% of other metals such as copper and zinc, which harden and protect the metal. This formula is the best for making most jewellery. It will still tarnish unless other metals are added or it is plated in rhodium or another heavy metal, but it is very easy to clean and take care of. The Wizard Of Auz Jewellery Collection uses no nickel or other allergens in its silver mixes. We rhodium plate some (not all) of our silver jewellery to protect its shine and to strengthen the bond of the gold plate that sits on top. We have found through crash-testing that gold plate is much stronger when applied over rhodium than over the base 925 silver.