Sterling silver vs silver plated
Short answer: sterling silver is silver all the way through (92.5% silver). Silver plated is a thin layer of silver over a cheaper base metal such as brass or copper. Sterling costs more, can be polished and repaired for years, and has metal value; plating is cheaper but wears through.
Is sterling silver and silver plated the same?
No. The FTC reserves "sterling silver" and "sterling" for metal that is at least 925/1,000 pure silver throughout. A plated item has a silver coating, and the FTC says a coated product should not be described simply as "silver" without making clear it is only coated.
| Sterling silver | Silver plated | |
|---|---|---|
| Made of | 92.5% silver, usually with copper | Base metal (often brass or copper) with a thin silver layer |
| Typical marks | 925, .925, Ster, Sterling | EP, EPNS, SP, Silver Plate, or nothing |
| Polishing | Can be polished many times | Polishing wears the layer away |
| Repair and resizing | Usually possible | Often not worth it |
| Metal value | Has silver value by weight | Very little |
Sterling silver vs silver plated: tarnish
Both tarnish, because both have silver on the surface. The difference is what happens when you clean them. Sterling has silver all the way down, so you can polish it back again and again. On plated pieces, the Canadian Conservation Institute warns that any method of tarnish removal may be very damaging, because each clean takes some of the thin silver layer with it. Once the base metal shows through, you cannot polish it back.
Sterling silver vs silver plated earrings
Earrings are where the difference matters most for comfort. DermNet notes that silver-plated jewelry is a base metal, which may contain nickel, under a thin silver layer. When the plating wears on the post, your skin touches the base metal. Sterling posts are a safer choice for sensitive ears, though not a guarantee. More in our hoops guide.
Sterling silver vs silver plated: value
Sterling has precious metal value, so scrap and resale prices follow the silver price and the weight. Plated jewelry is priced like fashion jewelry; the silver layer is too thin to matter at resale. If a "sterling" piece is priced like costume jewelry, be suspicious.
What about plated sterling?
Many sterling pieces are themselves plated, usually with rhodium (for a bright white finish that resists tarnish) or gold. That is still sterling underneath. The FTC says a rhodium surface layer on precious metal should be disclosed, and a gold layer over sterling of at least 10 karat and 2.5 microns can be called vermeil. When the plating wears, you see sterling, not brass.
Sterling silver vs stainless steel
Stainless steel is not silver at all, but it is the other common "silver-colored" option, especially for men's chains. It resists tarnish and costs less; sterling has precious metal value and is easier for a jeweler to repair. See the comparison in our men's chains guide.
How to spot plating in a listing
- "Silver plated", "silver tone", "silver color" or "silver finish" with no 925 means it is not sterling.
- "925 sterling silver" plus a finish ("rhodium plated", "18K gold plated") means sterling with a coating.
- "German silver", "nickel silver" or "Tibetan silver" contain little or no silver.
Questions people ask
Is silver plated jewelry real silver?
Only the surface. Silver plated jewelry is a base metal with a thin coating of silver, so it is not sterling and has little silver value.
Does silver plated jewelry tarnish?
Yes. The silver surface tarnishes like sterling. The problem is cleaning it, because polishing wears away the thin layer.
Which is better, sterling silver or silver plated?
Sterling lasts longer, can be polished and repaired, and holds metal value. Silver plated is cheaper and fine for occasional fashion pieces.
Is rhodium-plated sterling silver still sterling?
Yes. It is sterling underneath with a thin rhodium layer for color and tarnish resistance. The plating can wear, revealing the sterling.