Avicala

Choosing between sterling silver and silver-plated pieces can feel confusing—especially when both sparkle at first glance. This guide goes deep (really deep) into what each term means, how they’re made, how they age, how to care for them, and when each is the smarter buy. Throughout, we’ll weave in Avicala’s ethos: honest materials, skin-kind finishes, and design that brings everyday luxury within reach—because Avicala offers both sterling silver and silver-plated designs for different needs and budgets.

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The short answer (for quick shoppers)

• Sterling silver (925) = solid silver alloy through and through (92.5% silver, usually 7.5% copper). It can be polished many times, repaired, resized, and tends to last for decades with basic care.

• Silver-plated = a base metal core (often brass/copper or nickel-silver) with a thin layer of silver electrolytically deposited on top. Durability depends heavily on plating thickness (measured in microns). Thin “flash” coats wear off quickly; thicker coats last longer.

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What exactly is sterling silver?

Composition & hallmarking. Sterling silver is defined by a minimum fineness of 925, i.e., 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (most often copper). You’ll commonly see hallmarks like “925,” “S925,” or “STERLING.”

Why not 100% silver? Pure (99.9%) silver is too soft for daily-wear jewelry; alloying improves strength, hardness, and scratch resistance. Modern variations may swap some copper for elements like germanium to improve tarnish resistance (e.g., Argentium® silver).

In India: BIS hallmarking. India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmarks precious metals, with silver purity grades (commonly including 925) officially recorded by accredited assaying centers. Recent notices describe hallmark components and the move toward HUID-based silver hallmarking.

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What is silver-plated jewelry?

Construction. A non-silver base metal (often brass or copper; sometimes “nickel silver,” which is a copper-nickel-zinc alloy) is electroplated with a thin outer layer of silver. The result looks like solid silver—but longevity depends on how thick that silver coat is and whether there are barrier layers beneath (e.g., nickel or palladium) to slow diffusion and tarnish.

Plating thickness (the #1 durability factor).
Plating thickness is measured in microns (μm):

• <0.5 μm — often called “flash plating”; mostly decorative; prone to quick wear.

• ~1–2 μm — good quality for light/regular wear.

• ~3–5+ μm — heavier plating for better durability.

You’ll see slightly different bands reported by reputable finishing and jewelry houses, but they agree on the broad ranges above and on the definition of flash (<~1 μm).

Pro tip from Avicala: When evaluating any silver-plated piece (ours included), look for disclosed plating thickness in microns—especially for rings/bracelets that get more abrasion. Heavier wear = aim for thicker plating.

Rhodium finishing on silver. Some silver (sterling or plated) receives a very thin rhodium top-coat to enhance brightness and slow tarnish. Typical rhodium thickness used in jewelry finishing is ~0.05–0.2 μm—it’s a protective “sheen,” not a structural layer.

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Tarnish, color & aging

Why silver tarnishes. Silver reacts with sulfur-containing gases in air (and pollutants, cosmetics, rubber, wool, certain foods), forming silver sulfide—the dark surface film we call tarnish. Sterling (with copper) generally tarnishes faster than fine silver; germanium-modified alloys (e.g., Argentium) tarnish slower.

How sterling ages. Sterling can be polished and refinished repeatedly because the metal is solid throughout. Expect a soft patina over time—many collectors love this look.

How silver-plate ages. Once the plated layer wears through, the base metal shows (color shift; harder to restore). Heavier plating lasts longer; thin flash plating will show wear quickly on contact points like ring shanks and bracelet edges.

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Skin sensitivity, nickel & “hypoallergenic” claims

Nickel is the main culprit behind most jewelry-related allergic contact dermatitis. The EU (REACH Annex XVII) caps nickel release, not content:

• 0.2 μg/cm²/week for posts inserted into pierced parts,

• 0.5 μg/cm²/week for items in prolonged skin contact.

These limits are assessed by standardized lab tests (EN 1811, EN 12472).

Nickel sensitization is common (notably in frequent jewelry wearers), so nickel-safe base metals and barrier layers matter in silver-plated pieces. Sterling silver typically uses copper as the main alloying metal, which is better tolerated by most wearers, though individual sensitivities vary.

Avicala perspective: We prioritize skin-kind finishes. When shopping plated designs—ours or anyone’s—check the product detail for the base metal and whether there’s a nickel barrier; choose sterling or nickel-safe constructions if you’re sensitive.

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How they’re made (technical but useful)

Sterling silver workflow

1. Alloying (measured to 925/1000).

2. Casting/rolling/drawing.

3. Fabrication (soldering, forming).

4. Finishing (polish; optional rhodium).

5. Quality checks, hallmarking/assay (e.g., BIS in India).

Silver plating workflow

1. Prepare base metal (brass/copper/nickel-silver).

2. Surface prep (degrease, pickle, micro-etch).

3. Strike/underplate (copper, nickel, or palladium barriers depending on the design).

4. Electroplate silver to target thickness (μm).

5. Optional: rhodium topcoat or e-coat lacquer for anti-tarnish.

Engineering standards like ISO 4521 govern silver electroplating for technical applications; while focused on electronics, they’re useful for understanding thickness classes, adhesion tests, and porosity testing also used by quality jewelry finishers.

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Labeling & truth-in-marketing

• In the U.S., FTC Jewelry Guides require marketers to avoid deceptive claims about fineness and plating. “Silver-plated” should cover all significant surfaces with “substantial thickness,” but the Guides do not set a single global micron number for silver plating in jewelry (contrast with specific floors that exist for certain gold plate claims). The takeaway: ask for thickness in microns.

• In India, look for BIS silver hallmarks (purity grade such as 925, assaying center ID, jeweler ID; with HUID expanding to silver articles).

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Cost, value & serviceability

• Sterling generally costs more upfront but can be resized, repaired, or refinished many times and typically holds value better over time than plated pieces.

• Silver-plated offers a lower entry price and is excellent for fashion-forward or large statement designs; expect eventual re-plating if you want to keep the “like-new” look on high-wear items. (Many jewelers can re-plate; ask about microns.)

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Which should you choose?

Choose sterling silver (925) if you want:

• heirloom-grade longevity,

• frequent polishing/refinishing,

• rings or bracelets subjected to heavy abrasion,

• easier allergy management (nickel-free alloys).

Choose silver-plated if you want:

• trend-led looks at a friendlier price,

• lightweight volume pieces,

• occasional-wear statement designs,

• you’re OK with future re-plating to refresh the surface. 

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Care that actually works

• Block sulfur: store in zip bags or anti-tarnish pouches; avoid wool/rubber exposure.

• Clean early: light tarnish wipes off with a gentle silver cloth; deeper sulfide films need a proper silver polish (avoid abrasives on thinly plated pieces).

• Last on, first off: cosmetics, perfumes, and sweat accelerate tarnish on silver and wear on plating.

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How Avicala helps you decide

At Avicala, we design for both worlds:

• Sterling Silver (925): for timeless, everyday-durable pieces. Look for 925 in the product details and BIS hallmarking where applicable—our commitment to trustworthy materials aligns with our brand promise of quality and skin hygiene.

• Silver-Plated Collections: for expressive silhouettes and budget-friendly luxury. When plating is used, we note the construction in the product details so you can align thickness expectations (μm) with how you’ll wear it—daily or occasionally. (General guidance above on microns helps you choose.)

If you’re ever unsure: tell us how you plan to wear the piece (daily office wear vs. occasional events), and we’ll point you to the right Avicala option.

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Spec-level comparison

Sources supporting key points on composition, tarnish science, plating microns & nickel limits: