Sterling silver 925
Sterling silver 925 is specified as ASTM B700 / EN ISO 9202 (925 fineness). Fine jewelry, stone setting, pieces sold on metal value are what it is normally chosen for, and its corrosion behaviour — tarnishes — reacts with airborne sulphur compounds — decides whether it needs a protective finish or can be sold bare.
- Standard
- ASTM B700 / EN ISO 9202 (925 fineness)
- Density
- 10.36 g/cm³
- Hardness
- 60–80 HV
- Corrosion
- Tarnishes
What 925 silver is
Sterling silver 925 is specified as ASTM B700 / EN ISO 9202 (925 fineness), with a composition of Ag 92.5%, Cu 7.5% (or Ge/Zn in anti-tarnish variants). It has a density of 10.36 g/cm³, a typical hardness of 60–80 HV (annealed), and melts at 893 °C.
Its defining behaviour for jewelry is corrosion: tarnishes — reacts with airborne sulphur compounds. That single property decides more about a range than appearance does, because plating can make most metals look alike on arrival — what differs is how the piece looks after six months against skin.
Fine jewelry, stone setting, pieces sold on metal value are the applications this alloy is normally specified for.
Measured properties
Values below are properties of the alloy as defined in ASTM B700 / EN ISO 9202 (925 fineness), not claims about this supplier. They can be checked against the standard independently.
| Standard designation | ASTM B700 / EN ISO 9202 (925 fineness) |
|---|---|
| Composition | Ag 92.5%, Cu 7.5% (or Ge/Zn in anti-tarnish variants) |
| Density | 10.36 g/cm³ |
| Hardness (Vickers) | 60–80 HV (annealed) |
| Melting point | 893 °C |
| Corrosion resistance | Tarnishes — reacts with airborne sulphur compounds |
| Plating & finishing | Rhodium (anti-tarnish), gold vermeil (≥ 2.5 µm gold per US FTC) |
| Indicative raw stock | $900–1,150/kg · High — quotations expire volatility |
| Nickel-safe for skin contact | Yes — passes EN 1811 by composition or alloy behaviour |
Hardness is typical for the annealed or as-supplied condition and rises with cold work. Raw stock cost is an indicative market range, not a quotation.
Nickel release and skin contact
Nickel-free at 925 fineness. Nickel can enter via a plating barrier layer — specify a palladium or copper barrier if the piece is EU-bound.
| Application | Limit under REACH Annex XVII entry 27 | Test method | 925 silver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pierced ears, during epithelialisation | 0.2 µg/cm²/week | EN 1811 | Passes |
| Prolonged skin contact (rings, chains, bracelets) | 0.5 µg/cm²/week | EN 1811 after EN 12472 | Passes |
| Coated items | Limit must hold for 2 years of normal use | EN 12472 wear simulation, then EN 1811 | Passes |
Limits are set by REACH Annex XVII entry 27 and are independent of supplier. A batch-specific report is what proves a particular production run complies — see EN 1811 compliance.
Finishing options
Rhodium (anti-tarnish), gold vermeil (≥ 2.5 µm gold per US FTC).
Specify plating in microns, never by colour name. Two quotations both described as "18k gold plated" can differ tenfold in deposited thickness — 0.1 µm wears through within weeks of daily wear, 2.5 µm lasts years — and the cheaper quote is usually the one that assumed less.
01Mirror polishMechanical — the signature silver finish 
02Satin / brushedMechanical — hides wear scratches 
03Bead blastMechanical — matte, uniform 
04Frosted (Florentine)Mechanical — diamond-tipped stipple; brighter than the blast card under the same light 
05OxidisedChemical — tarnish used as contrast, not prevented 
06RhodiumAnti-tarnish · bright white 
07Gold vermeil≥ 2.5 µm gold — US FTC 16 CFR §23.5
Swipe · 7 styles
Not sure which finish this material needs?
Send the design and the market you ship to. We reply with the finish options priced side by side.
Which categories suit 925 silver
Ranked by how well this alloy performs in each product shape, not by how often it is used.
| Category | Why it suits, or does not |
|---|---|
| Rings | Takes fine detail and stone setting; tarnishes unless rhodium plated |
| Necklaces & Pendants | Best for cast pendants with fine detail; needs anti-tarnish packing |
| Earrings | Nickel-free at 925 fineness — but check the plating barrier |
| Bracelets & Bangles | Soft — cuffs deform in wear unless the section is thick enough |
Compared with the alternatives
Composition, density, hardness and corrosion behaviour are published properties of each alloy. They do not vary from supplier to supplier, which makes them the only honest basis for choosing between these six metals.
| Material | Standard | Density g/cm³ | Hardness HV | Corrosion | Raw cost | Nickel-safe bare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling silver 925 | ASTM B700 / EN ISO 9202 (925 fineness) | 10.36 | 60–80 HV | Tarnishes | $$$$$ | Yes |
| Stainless steel 316L | ASTM A276 / EN 1.4404 | 7.98 | 150–190 HV | Excellent | $$$$$ | Yes |
| Titanium (Grade 2 / Grade 5) | ASTM B348 Gr.2 / Gr.5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | 4.51 | 145 HV | Excellent | $$$$$ | Yes |
| Brass (C2600 / C3604) | ASTM B36 / EN CW508L | 8.47 | 95–130 HV | Tarnishes and patinas | $$$$$ | Plating-dependent |
| Zinc alloy (Zamak 3 / 5) | ASTM B86 (Zamak 3 / Zamak 5) | 6.6 | 80–100 HV | Poor bare | $$$$$ | Plating-dependent |
| Copper & bronze | ASTM B152 (Cu) / ASTM B505 (bronze) | 8.96 (Cu) · 8.8 (bronze) | 50–100 HV | Patinas | $$$$$ | Plating-dependent |
Raw cost is a relative ranking of metal stock. Metal is one line in a unit price — see the manufacturing cost breakdown.
What to watch out for
925 silver — buyer questions
Each answer stands alone and can be read without the rest of this page.
Is 925 silver jewelry hypoallergenic?
Nickel-free at 925 fineness. Nickel can enter via a plating barrier layer — specify a palladium or copper barrier if the piece is EU-bound. The EU limits nickel release rather than nickel content: 0.5 µg/cm²/week for prolonged skin contact and 0.2 µg/cm²/week for pierced-ear items, both measured to EN 1811 under REACH Annex XVII entry 27.
What is 925 silver actually made of?
Sterling silver 925 is specified as ASTM B700 / EN ISO 9202 (925 fineness), with a composition of Ag 92.5%, Cu 7.5% (or Ge/Zn in anti-tarnish variants). Its density is 10.36 g/cm³ and typical hardness 60–80 HV (annealed), melting at 893 °C. Those are properties of the alloy defined in the standard, so they can be checked independently of any supplier.
Does 925 silver tarnish or corrode?
Corrosion behaviour: tarnishes — reacts with airborne sulphur compounds. Priced against the daily silver spot market, so quotes expire. Unplated 925 will tarnish in transit unless it ships in anti-tarnish barrier bags.
What finishes can be applied to 925 silver?
Rhodium (anti-tarnish), gold vermeil (≥ 2.5 µm gold per US FTC). Plating must always be specified in microns rather than by colour name — "18k gold plated" describes a colour and covers everything from 0.1 µm, which wears through in weeks, to 2.5 µm, which lasts years.
How much does 925 silver cost as raw stock?
Indicative raw-stock cost is $900–1,150 per kilogram, priced against daily spot market, with high — quotations expire volatility. Metal is only one line in a unit price — labour, plating, finishing, packing and a scrap allowance make up the rest, and on lighter pieces they dominate.
What should I use 925 silver for?
Fine jewelry, stone setting, pieces sold on metal value. Priced against the daily silver spot market, so quotes expire. Unplated 925 will tarnish in transit unless it ships in anti-tarnish barrier bags.
Not answered here? All buyer questions →
Quote a 925 silver run
Send the category, the finish and the quantity. You get an itemised unit price, the tooling cost as its own line, and the compliance route for your market. Production runs on our own floor in Qingxi, Dongguan, Guangdong.
- 01Reply within one working day, Guangdong business hours.
- 02Itemised cost sheet — mold quoted separately, not folded into the unit price.
- 03NDA on request before any file is shared.