What is sterling silver?  Sterling silver is 92.5 percent of silver and 7.5 percent of an alloy which is primarily copper. Pure silver is extremely malleable and can easily be damaged.  It can also soften over time.  By adding other metals to the sterling silver, you increase the life-span and reduce the risk of scratching and damaging.  Sterling silver is a blend of just the right material properties which allows it to be crafted into intricate designs and shapes. Sterling silver can also be gold plated or plated with rhodium to make it look like platinum, which gives it the appearance of a very expensive metal at the more reasonable price of silver.