WHAT IS STERLING SILVER 970?

The Difference Between 925 and 970 Sterling Silver

When shopping for jewelry, you are likely familiar with the classic "925" stamp. But in my studio, you will often hear me talk about Sterling Silver 970. A lot of customers ask me what this means, so I want to break down exactly what 970 silver is and why it is the secret behind my work.

The Numbers Explained The numbers stamped on silver simply refer to the purity of the metal. Pure silver (99.9%) is generally too soft to hold its shape in everyday jewelry, so it is alloyed (mixed) with a small percentage of other metals to give it strength.

• 925 Sterling Silver: Contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other alloy metals. This is the global standard for most commercial jewelry.

• 970 Sterling Silver: Contains 97.0% pure silver and only 3.0% other alloy metals.

Why I Choose 970 for Filigree Because 970 contains a higher percentage of pure silver, it is significantly purer, softer, and more malleable than standard 925. This exceptional malleability is the exact reason I use it for my creations.

The art of filigree requires twisting, rolling, and curling incredibly fine, delicate threads of metal into intricate, lace-like patterns. Standard 925 silver can be too rigid or brittle for this extreme shaping, occasionally snapping under the pressure. Sterling Silver 970, however, yields beautifully to the hand tools, allowing me to craft those tiny, precise curves and tight coils perfectly without breaking.

A Nickel-Free Promise Another major benefit of using this purer blend is skin safety. Because I am mixing a much smaller percentage of base metals to achieve that 970 purity, I can strictly control the alloy. I never use any nickel in my silver. The tiny amount of alloy used to stabilize the 970 silver is completely nickel-free, making these pieces a fantastic, hypoallergenic option for anyone with sensitive skin.

In short, 970 silver gives you a purer, brighter piece of jewelry that allows me to push the boundaries of traditional filigree design safely and beautifully.