Silver. Bright, storied, worn.
Silver has been used for jewelry, currency, and objects of significance for thousands of years. Its luster is immediate. The way light moves across a polished silver surface is unlike any other metal.
Ag
ELEMENT 47 · NATURAL LUSTER
GRADE
Fine Silver
99.9% silver
GRADE
Sterling
92.5% silver
GRADE
Argentium
93.5 - 96% silver
GRADE
Coin Silver
90.0% silver
The luster nothing else quite matches.
Silver was one of the earliest metals used by humans for jewelry — prized for a brightness that catches light differently than gold or platinum. Its chemical symbol, Ag, comes from the Latin argentum, meaning shining or white. That quality is still silver's most immediate characteristic. Put a well-polished silver piece under light and you understand why it's been valued for thousands of years.
Pure silver is too soft for most jewelry, so it's almost always alloyed. Sterling silver — 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper — is the standard for fine jewelry and tableware. The copper adds the strength the pure metal lacks without meaningfully changing the color or luster. What you're buying with sterling silver is essentially the metal itself, made wearable
- Durability: 3 out of 5
- Tarnish: Develops over time
- Color Permanence: Intrinsic
- Replating Needed: Never
- Hypoallergenic: Generally yes
- Best For: Everyday expression
Silver is one of the most versatile metals for design. Its neutral brightness complements nearly every stone color — from deep amethyst to pale blue topaz — and layers naturally with other silver pieces or mixed metals.
Silver grades
and what they mean.
Not all silver jewelry is the same. The grade indicates how much of the piece is actually silver, and what it's alloyed with. For most fine jewelry, sterling silver is the standard — it's what the industry has relied on for centuries, and for good reason.
Fine Silver
99.9% SILVER
Nearly pure silver. Brilliant luster and the most precious grade, but soft — it scratches and deforms easily. Best suited to bullion, collectibles, and pieces not subject to regular wear.
Sterling Silver
92.5% SILVER
The industry standard for fine jewelry, marked .925. The 7.5% copper adds durability without affecting the color. Virtually all silver jewelry you'll encounter at Day's is sterling.
Argentium
93.5 - 96% SILVER
A modern silver alloy that replaces some copper with germanium, making it significantly more tarnish-resistant than standard sterling. Increasingly used in contemporary fine jewelry.
Coin Silver
90.0% SILVER
Historically used in US coins and sturdy flatware. Less common in contemporary jewelry. Slightly harder than sterling due to higher alloy content, with a marginally cooler tone.
Understanding
tarnish.
Tarnish is the one aspect of silver that requires ongoing attention. It's a natural reaction between silver and sulfur compounds in the air — not damage, and not permanent. Knowing what causes it and how to address it makes silver far easier to live with.
What Tarnish Is
A surface reaction, not a flaw.
Tarnish forms when silver reacts with hydrogen sulfide in the air, producing a thin layer of silver sulfide on the surface. It typically starts as a warm yellowing, deepens to brown, and eventually goes dark if untreated. Humidity, perfume, certain foods, and rubber accelerate the process. It doesn't indicate anything wrong with the piece — it's simply the metal responding to its environment.
What To Do About It
It comes off easily.
Light tarnish responds well to a silver polishing cloth, which is the gentlest first step. For heavier tarnish, a mild silver cleaning solution or a paste of baking soda and water applied with a soft cloth works effectively. Rinse thoroughly after any cleaning. Some people find a certain degree of patina — particularly in engraved or textured areas — adds character. That's a personal preference, not a maintenance failure.
Caring for
your silver.
Silver asks a little more of you than gold or platinum. The investment is small — the right storage and occasional cleaning keep it looking exactly as it should.
01 — Store Carefully
Airtight slows tarnish.
The less air exposure, the slower tarnish develops. Store silver in anti-tarnish pouches or a lined box. Silica gel packets help absorb moisture. Keep each piece separate — silver scratches against other metals and stones.
02 — Wear It Regularly
Use slows tarnish too.
Silver worn regularly actually tarnishes more slowly than silver sitting unworn in a drawer. The friction of wear polishes the surface subtly. It's a good reason not to save a silver piece for special occasions only.
03 — Clean When Needed
A cloth handles most of it.
A silver polishing cloth is the first tool to reach for. It handles light tarnish in seconds without water or chemicals. For pieces with stone settings, avoid liquid cleaners unless you're confident they're safe for that particular stone.
Something bright is waiting.
Browse our full collection of silver jewelry — from pieces worn every day to those chosen with something specific in mind.