925 Sterling Silver is an alloy made from 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, such as copper.

Pure Silver, also known as Fine Silver, contains around 99% silver with around 1% of other trace elements.

While pure silver is a precious and beautiful metal, it is generally too soft for many types of jewellery. Adding a small amount of other metals makes 925 Sterling Silver stronger and more suitable for creating jewellery that can be worn regularly.

925 Sterling Silver and silver-plated jewellery are made differently.

Sterling Silver is silver throughout the piece, with 92.5% pure silver making up the alloy.

Silver-plated jewellery, on the other hand, has a base metal underneath with a thin layer of silver applied to its surface. Depending on the piece, the base metal may include materials such as copper, brass or other metals.

With wear over time, the silver plating can become thinner and eventually expose the base metal underneath.

Because 925 Sterling Silver contains silver throughout the material, it offers a different level of quality and longevity compared with silver-plated jewellery.

We love 925 Sterling Silver because it combines beauty with strength.

It is more robust than pure silver, which means it can be used to create hard-wearing and intricate designs while still being suitable for jewellery that is made to be worn.

Depending on the piece you order, your jewellery may have a hallmark.

In the UK, Sterling Silver jewellery must be hallmarked when it exceeds the relevant legal weight threshold. Many of the pieces made in our studio are below this weight, so they do not require a hallmark.

Not having a hallmark doesn't mean that a piece isn't Sterling Silver - it simply means that it falls below the weight at which hallmarking is legally required.

Yes, Sterling Silver can naturally tarnish over time.

Tarnishing is a normal reaction that occurs when the metals within Sterling Silver react with substances around us. Moisture, air, heat, perfumes, lotions and some chemicals can all contribute to tarnishing.

It may cause your jewellery to look darker or less bright, but this doesn't mean that your jewellery is damaged.

Thankfully, tarnish is usually easy to remove with a suitable silver polishing cloth.

Occasionally, Sterling Silver jewellery can cause a temporary dark mark or discolouration on the skin.

If this happens, it can sometimes be caused by a reaction between the metal and substances on the skin, or by moisture becoming trapped beneath the jewellery.

If you notice some discolouration, thoroughly clean your jewellery with a silver polishing cloth before wearing it again. If you're wearing a ring, make sure you dry underneath it carefully after washing your hands.

The best way to keep your Sterling Silver looking beautiful is simply to wear it regularly. Regular wear can help prevent tarnish from building up.

We also recommend:

• Keep your jewellery as dry as possible.
• Remove it before swimming, bathing or exercising.
• Take it off when doing housework or gardening.
• Always remove your jewellery before using household cleaners, particularly bleach and bathroom cleaners.
• Avoid applying perfume, hairspray or lotions directly onto your jewellery.
• Gently polish your jewellery with a silver polishing cloth when needed.
• Store your jewellery in its own box, wrapped in its polishing cloth and away from other jewellery.

If you're wearing a ring, remember to dry underneath it after washing your hands, as moisture can become trapped between your skin and the ring.

We recommend avoiding liquid jewellery cleaners on our jewellery, which may affect the appearance and definition of your design.

Instead, we recommend using a soft silver polishing cloth and gently polishing the surface when needed.