why the sterling silver dolphin earrings costs 925?”
It means that the product you have has 92.5% by weight of silver. Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness of 925. Fine silver (99.9% pure) is generally too soft for producing large functional objects; therefore, the silver is usually alloyed with copper to give it strength, while at the same time preserving the ductility and beauty of the precious metal. Other metals can replace the copper, usually with the intent to improve various properties of the basic sterling alloy such as reducing casting porosity, eliminating firescale, and increasing resistance to tarnish. These replacement metals include germanium, zinc and platinum, as well as a variety of other additives, including silicon and boron. A number of alloys, such as Argentium sterling silver have appeared in recent years, formulated to lessen firescale or to inhibit tarnish, and th
It is possible that .925 is not the actual price of the earrings, but the amount of sterling silver. For instance, at http://www.amazon.com/925-Sterling-Silver-Dolphin-Earrings/dp/B001S92L4K/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=jewelry&qid=1246637347&sr=8-7 , the earrings cost $10.99 but are .925 sterling silver. Their price of $10.99 would be based on a variety of factors including cost of raw materials and manufacturing costs.
