What is the difference between sterling and fine silver?
Sterling silver has a silver content of 92.5 per cent whereas fine silver has a higher purity of between 95 and 99.9 per cent. Sterling silver will generally be either stamped .925 (925 parts silver per thousand) or hallmarked with the sterling mark if assayed in the UK or by other international official body. Items with a total silver weight under 8 grams do not have to be hallmarked, and imported silver is often just marked .925. Fine silver is softer, making it ideal for working with methods that do not involve as much heat processing and fabrication as sterling jewellery production, such as the wonderful work produced by the northern Thai Hill Tribes such as the Karen. In my cabochon set jewellery I use sterling silver for most parts of the piece, but the bezel that holds the stone is fine silver. Collar-style neckpieces are made in sterling silver.
