sterling silver

British  

noun

1. an alloy containing not less than 92.5 per cent of silver, the remainder usually being copper

2. sterling-silver articles collectively

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sterling silver Scientific  

/ stûr′lĭng /

1. An alloy that contains at least 92.5 percent silver and up to 7.5 percent copper or another metal, used to make jewelry and silverware.

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Example Sentences

Sterling silver, for example, is often identified with a “925” mark, which refers to that 92.5% level of purity.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025

Hahn Jewelry Sterling silver and gold-plated handmade artisan jewelry by Dhamee Hahn, inspired by Midcentury Modern design.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2021

Sterling silver is used to make items such as decorative tableware, serving trays, cutlery and musical instruments such as the flute.

From Encyclopedia.com • Mar. 21, 2018

Sterling silver mended by hand with 14-karat Yellow Gold and gift boxed.

From New York Times • Feb. 10, 2011

Sterling silver tableware contains much less copper than high-grade plated ware, is therefore likely to be available when plated ware is not.

From Time Magazine Archive