What is sterling silver vs silver plated jewellery?

Sterling silver is an alloy made up of 92.5% pure silver plus 7.5% other metals (usually copper) for strength and durability. Silver plated jewellery is crafted by coating a base metal (like brass or copper) with a thin layer of silver via electroplating.

How can you tell silver plated from sterling silver?

Check for hallmarks like “925” or “sterling” for sterling silver. Plated pieces may have marks like “EP”, “EPNS”, or “silver plated”. Other methods include the magnet test (real silver is not magnetic), weight (sterling feels denser), tarnish patterns, and expert testing.

What are the pros and cons of sterling silver compared to silver plated?

Sterling silver is more durable, valuable, hypoallergenic, and longer-lasting but costs more and tarnishes over time. Silver plated is affordable and lightweight, good for trend pieces, but the plating wears off, tarnishes quickly, and can cause skin reactions.

The Glossary

Silver Plated vs Sterling Silver: What’s the Difference?

12 September 2025

If you're choosing silver jewellery—whether affordable fashion pieces or lasting heirlooms—it's essential to understand the difference between silver plated and sterling silver. We break it down simply: what each is and the benefits and drawbacks.

What’s the Difference?

Sterling silver is made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals—typically copper, added to give strength and durability to the naturally soft pure silver. This makes it both beautiful and practical for jewellery that lasts.

Silver plated jewellery takes a base metal—usually copper, brass, or nickel—and applies a thin layer of silver over it via electroplating. It gives the look of silver at a lower cost, but the layer is very thin and can wear off.

How to Tell Them Apart

Look for hallmarks: Sterling silver should be stamped “925”, “.925”, or “Sterling”. Silver plated pieces may say “silver plated”, “EP”, “EPNS”, or may have no stamp at all.
Magnet test: Silver is not magnetic. If a magnet sticks, it’s not pure silver—but lack of magnetism doesn’t prove it’s sterling.
Weight and feel: Sterling silver tends to feel more substantial due to its density; plated items often feel lighter.
Tarnish & colour layering: Sterling tarnishes to a dull patina that cleans up to bright silver. Plated items may flake or reveal a different colour underneath as plating wears.
Expert tests: Acid tests, XRF machines or professional jewellers can verify the silver content precisely.

Pros & Cons

Sterling Silver

Pros:

Durable and long-lasting—suited for everyday wear.
Greater intrinsic value; resists wear better.
Hypoallergenic for most wearers (especially if nickel-free).
Easy to clean and polish back to shiny finish.
Holds its resale value.

Cons:

Generally more expensive than plated jewellery.
Tarnishes over time—easily restored with simple polishing and proper care.
Softer than harder metals—can scratch if not handled carefully.

Silver Plated

Pros:

More affordable—lets you enjoy the look of silver at a lower price.
Extremely lightweight—great for costume or trend pieces.
Perfect for trying styles or fashion-forward designs.

Cons:

Plating can wear off quickly—especially with frequent wear or cleaning.
Eventually exposes base metal—may discolour or cause skin irritation.
Difficult to repolish or restore—often needs re-plating.
Generally lower resale or sentiment value.

Conclusion: Sterling Silver Wins

While silver plated jewellery offers budget-friendly style and lightweight versatility, sterling silver stands out for its lasting beauty, value, and quality. Its durability, ability to be refinished, and hypoallergenic nature make sterling silver a smarter choice for pieces you’ll wear day in, day out—and treasure over time.

Sterling Silver Jewellery at Matayi

At Matayi, all our silver jewellery is made from sterling silver (925). We create contemporary, minimalist designs perfect for everyday wear—from sleek hoops and delicate stacking rings to elegant pendants. These pieces deliver understated style with the quality to last.

Whether you’re building a stack of rings, choosing a pair of hoops that go with everything, or picking a pendant that’s just right, Matayi’s sterling silver range offers timeless pieces you can rely on and enjoy wearing every day.