I have been asked this question a couple of times now...

What is .925 silver and .999 silver?

Simple answer. .925 silver is sterling silver and .999 silver is fine-or almost pure-silver.

.925, or sterling-silver is 92.5 % silver and 7.5% another metal, usually copper to increase its strength. Sterling silver has been in existence for many, many, many years dating back to the 12th century.

Originally in Easterling, Germany this grade of sterling was used as a standard of currency. As commerce between England and Germany increased, the English discovered "Easterling" silver to be consistent in its quality and hardness. King Henry II then adopted easterling silver as their standard of currency and simply calling it "sterling".

It is no longer in circulation as currency; however continues be be respected for its durability and purity. Today it is still used for everything from flatware to jewlery-of course.

.999 fine silver-99.9% pure silver-is typically too soft for larger functional pieces. I like to use the .999 silver because it is a little more malleable and responds much better to heating than does sterling silver, which turns black upon heating,

Silver has been used for a variety of purposes. Because of its purity, during the Hellenistic period of Greece, around 300BC, silver was used for surgical instruments. Also, traditionally an antidote to illnesses and used to repel vampires-ironically silver bullets are an invention of the movies and the 1940's.

Today because of its high conductivity of heat and electricity, silver still has many industrial uses. But i most concerned with its uses in jewelry.