Pure silver, also called fine silver, is relatively soft, very malleable, and easily damaged so it is commonly combined with other metals to produce a more durable product. The most popular of these alloys is sterling silver, which consists of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper.
Although any metal can make up the 7.5 percent non-silver portion of sterling, centuries of experimentation have shown copper to be its best companion, improving the metal's hardness and durability without affecting its beautiful color.
The small amount of copper added to sterling has very little effect on the metal's value. Instead, the price of the silver item is affected by the labor involved in making the item, the skill of the craftsperson, and the intricacy of the design.
Most high quality Tiffany silver items are stamped with a "fineness" or "quality" mark. This mark designates the precious metal content of the Tiffany jewelry, and under federal law, must be accompanied by a maker's mark or registered trademark.
Because pure silver Tiffany is so soft, it should only be used when malleability is required, such as in handcrafted jewelry Tiffany featuring weaving and other intricate designs.
Tiffany sterling silver is most often used for Tiffany jewelry and household accessories because of its combination of beauty and durability. Acceptable quality marks for sterling silver include:
sterling
sterling silver
ster
.925
With proper care, your fine quality silver Tiffany will last a lifetime. To minimize scratches and other damage, store your Tiffany silver jewelry either in a cloth pouch or in a separate compartment in your Tiffany jewelry box. Avoid exposing your silver to household chemicals when cleaning with bleach or ammonia, or when swimming in chlorinated water, as these chemicals can damage silver Tiffany.
Care should also be taken to prevent silver tarnish build-up, a dulling that naturally occurs when silver Tiffany reacts with sulfur or hydrogen sulfide in the ambient air. To clean your silver Tiffany, use polishes formulated specifically to remove tarnish. You can find fine silver Tiffany polishes, solutions, or cloths appropriate to remove tarnish at most hardware stores or specialty craft stores. Tarnish is most easily removed when it first becomes visible.
Although wearing your Tiffany silver jewelry often is the best way to prevent tarnish from building up, regular cleanings of all your silver Tiffany will prevent tarnish and keep your silver Tiffany bright and sparkling.
Reference: www.sterlingtiffany.com
