Every Alex Yuvero piece in sterling silver is stamped 925. If you have looked at the hallmark on a piece of silver jewellery and wondered what it means, the answer is straightforward: 925 means that 925 parts out of 1,000 are pure silver. The remaining 75 parts are typically copper, added to give the metal hardness and durability — pure silver is too soft to hold a shape reliably in a ring or pendant that will be worn and touched every day.

This is what fine silver jewellery has meant for centuries. The "sterling" in sterling silver derives from the Old English steorling — a small star — from the star mark that Norman merchants stamped on their silver coins. The standard of 925 parts per thousand has been the benchmark for quality silver in Britain since the 13th century and is now the international standard for fine silver jewellery.

What 925 Means in Practice

Sterling silver is a precious metal. It is not white metal, not alloy, not base metal — it is predominantly silver, at a concentration high enough to be considered fine silver by every major hallmarking authority in the world. When you buy a 925 piece, you are buying something with genuine material value: a piece that can be melted, hallmarked, and sold as silver at any point in its life.

For comparison:

• 999 silver (fine silver) — 99.9% pure, too soft for most jewellery applications.
• 925 silver (sterling silver) — 92.5% pure, the standard for fine jewellery.
• 800 silver — 80% pure, common in some European antique pieces; not used in new fine jewellery.
• Silver-plated — a base metal (usually brass or copper) coated in a thin layer of silver. Not the same as sterling; the silver layer will wear through with time.

All Alex Yuvero pieces described as silver are 925 sterling silver — not plated, not filled, not silver-coloured. The 925 mark is the guarantee.

Silver and Time

Sterling silver tarnishes. This is not a defect — it is a chemical property of silver, which reacts with sulphur compounds in the air (and in skin oils, some foods, and certain cosmetics) to form silver sulphide, a dark compound that settles on the surface. Tarnish is reversible and has nothing to do with the quality of the metal. A tarnished piece of sterling silver is exactly as valuable as a polished one; it simply needs cleaning.

To slow tarnish: store silver pieces in an airtight box or pouch when not wearing them; apply perfume and cosmetics before putting on silver jewellery; remove pieces before swimming or bathing. To clean a tarnished piece: a soft cloth and a small amount of silver polish, or a quick soak in warm soapy water and a gentle scrub with a soft toothbrush. Dry thoroughly before storing.

Worn regularly, sterling silver develops a patina — a lived-in quality that comes from the metal's interaction with the wearer's skin and daily life. Many people find this more interesting than the bright finish of a new piece. It is the evidence that the jewellery has been worn. It is, in a quiet way, a record of time.