Silver Jewlery
Silver jewelry by type, with plain answers on what you are buying
Silver Jewlery (yes, spelled that way) is a guide to buying and caring for silver jewelry. Pick a type below, see a few sterling silver picks, and check the short guides before you buy.
Silver rings
Sterling silver rings run from slim stacking bands to wide, stone-set statement pieces. Silver is softer than gold or tungsten, so thin bands can bend and every ring picks up fine scratches with wear. A wide band also feels tighter than a thin one in the same size, so get sized in the width you plan to buy.
Silver chains and necklaces
Chain style, width and length matter more than anything else. A 3mm rope or box chain carries a small pendant; a Cuban (curb) chain from about 6mm up is usually worn on its own. Most solid sterling chains are plated to keep the color even, and the listing should say which finish you are getting.
Silver earrings and hoops
Small hoops and huggies are the easiest silver earrings to wear every day. If your ears react to cheap metal, sterling silver is usually a better bet than unmarked fashion jewelry, but it is not guaranteed nickel-free. For a new piercing, a professional piercer will fit implant-grade metal, not silver.
Silver bracelets
Bracelets rub against desks and keyboards, so they scratch and tarnish faster than earrings. Tennis bracelets and chain bracelets are usually sold by length in inches (often 6 to 8.5). Measure your wrist and add a little room for movement.
Men's silver jewelry
For most men, silver jewelry means a chain, a ring or both. Start with a chain you can wear every day, keep the width in proportion to your build, and decide early whether you want sterling (which tarnishes and can be polished back) or stainless steel (which resists tarnish but is not silver).
Silver jewelry gifts
Silver works for birthdays, Mother's Day and the 25th (silver) wedding anniversary. Small studs, huggies and a simple pendant are the safest picks when you are not sure of someone's ring or wrist size.
How to tell real sterling silver
In the US, "sterling silver", "sterling" and "925" all mean at least 92.5% pure silver. The FTC says silver items must also show the name or US-registered trademark of the company that stands behind the mark.
- Look for the stamp. 925, .925, Ster or Sterling, often inside a ring band or on a clasp tag.
- Look for a maker's mark next to it, such as Pandora's ALE.
- Watch for plated marks: EP, EPNS or "silver plated" mean a thin silver layer over another metal.
- Home tests only rule things out. A magnet or an ice cube can flag a fake; only a jeweler's test can confirm the metal.
Silver jewelry care
Tarnish is mostly silver sulfide, caused by sulfur compounds in the air. It wipes off with a silver cloth, and storing pieces in a sealed bag slows it down. Pieces with stones, turquoise or a deliberately darkened (oxidized) finish need gentler cleaning.
Questions people ask
Is it spelled "jewlery" or "jewelry"?
The usual US spelling is "jewelry" and the British spelling is "jewellery". "Jewlery" is a common typo, and it is also our name. Everything on this site uses the standard spelling.
Do you sell jewelry?
No. We link to shops that sell it, such as Miles Jewellery, and you buy from them. Prices, shipping and returns are set by each shop.
Have you tested these pieces?
No. We have not handled or tested the picks on this site. We list what each shop states about the metal, size and finish, and we explain what those terms mean.
Is sterling silver the same as silver?
Not quite. Pure (fine) silver is 99.9% silver and is too soft for most jewelry. Sterling is at least 92.5% silver, usually with copper, which makes it strong enough to wear.