Alpaca silver is a cheaper alternative to sterling silver. Those allergic to nickel should avoid wearing jewelry made from alpaca.
Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% some other metal. That's why it's ofter marked "925," because it is 925 parts silver per 1000 parts. Pure silver is a precious metal and is an element on the Periodic Table of elements. This means that a piece of sterling silver contains high percentage of real silver atoms.
Alpaca silver actually contains no real silver at all. It being called "silver" is due to its intended lookalike quality. Alpaca, also known as "nickel silver," is a mixture of copper and nickel, and sometimes zinc.
For silver to be sterling, it must be 92.5% silver content, the rest being copper for strength (jewelry). Therefore, when you see 925 on a ring, it is sterling silver.
All proof silver dollars are silver dollars, but not all silver dollars are proofs. That's because proof coins are specially struck for collectors, while (at least up till 1935 in the US) regular silver dollars were struck for use in ordinary commerce. Please see the Related Question for more details.
The difference is in the 'S' mint mark which is found on the left side of the coin just above her shoulder. The Type 1 dollar's 'S' is like a blob - it is not well defined and is somewhat fat. On the other hand, the 'S' on the Type 2 dollar is more clearly defined and is clearly an 'S'. The Type 2 dollar is much more scarce than the Type 1 dollar.
tom has 39 silver dollars
The metal is a mixture of nickel, zinc and copper, the trade name used by the company being Albo Silver, which was registered in 1886.
sterling does not tarnish
nothing.
Oxidized silver is not necessarily sterling silver but sterling silver can be oxidized. Oxidation is a finish on silver, otherwise known as tarnish. Sterling silver can tarnish and silver plate can tarnish, too.
Oxidized silver is not necessarily sterling silver but sterling silver can be oxidized. Oxidation is a finish on silver, otherwise known as tarnish. Sterling silver can tarnish and silver plate can tarnish, too.
I have yet to find any Alpaca that is sterling. It is made from nickel and other varies metals. Alpaca was made for people in areas that could not afford sterling or gold jewelry. You can magnet test it......the easiest way to tell. :)
silver is usually stamped 925
Siam sterling was a style of jewelry made in Thailand in the mid-20th century and was briefly popular in the West. Sterling silver is a specific purity of 92.5% silver with 7.5% copper.
sterling silver and 14k gold weight ratio
Sterling is 92.5% pure silver. .999 Fine is 99.9% pure. Sterling silver =92.5 silver + 7.5% alloy Fine silver usually mention "Ag 99.9 " ,means with 99.9% silver.
The physical difference between silver and platinum is in terms of color. Pure silver is more whitish in color while platinum is more grayish than white. Silver has a lower density than platinum.
Sterling silver has a silver content of 92.5%. Solid silver is silver that is close to 100% pure, though metals are never 100% pure as the refining would be too expensive to be worthwhile.
18kgp is 18 carat gold plated so it is not gold inside just plated in gold which will wear off with time and sterling silver is silver all through it not plated.