Gold vs. Silver: What’s the Difference? Part 2 — Silver

Hello from itoaware Kyoto!

Welcome back to our guide to jewelry materials!

In Part 1, we talked about gold — 

its beauty, purity, and the differences between 10K, 18K, and 24K.

This time, we’re taking a closer look at another classic jewelry material:

Silver.

What exactly is Silver 925?

Why does silver sometimes change color?

And how should you take care of your silver jewelry?

Let’s keep it simple and take a look!

SILVER — Beautiful, Timeless, and Easy to Wear

An Affordable Precious Metal

Just like gold, silver has been loved and treasured for thousands of years.

Its bright, cool-toned shine has fascinated people throughout history. In ancient Egypt, silver was even considered more valuable than gold at certain times.

In medieval Europe, owning silver tableware was also a symbol of wealth and status.

Today, silver is much more accessible and is loved as a precious metal that can easily be enjoyed in everyday life.

Its simple, beautiful appearance makes it popular with people of all ages and easy to pair with many different styles.

If you’re looking for a genuine precious metal that feels casual enough for everyday wear, silver is a great choice.

What Is Silver 925?

You may have seen “SILVER 925” stamped inside a ring or written in a jewelry description.

But what does the number 925 actually mean?

The answer is simple:

Silver 925 = 92.5% pure silver

Pure silver itself is quite soft, which makes it difficult to use for jewelry that is worn every day.

So, just like gold, silver is usually mixed with other metals to make it stronger and more durable.

Silver 925 contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, commonly including copper.

This creates a good balance between the beautiful shine of silver and the durability needed for jewelry.

You may see it written in different ways, such as:

SILVER 925 / Silver 925 / SV925

They all refer to the same 92.5% silver standard.

You may also hear the term “sterling silver.”

Sterling silver generally refers to silver that contains at least 92.5% pure silver, with the remaining percentage made up of other metals.

So when choosing jewelry, 925 is a useful number to remember!

Why Does Silver Change Color?

One of the most beautiful things about silver is its bright, clean shine.

But you may have noticed that silver jewelry can sometimes become darker over time.

Don’t worry — this doesn’t necessarily mean your silver is rusting.

Silver can react with sulfur compounds in the environment, causing a process called tarnishing.

For example, wearing silver jewelry in a hot spring can cause it to darken quickly because of the sulfur compounds found in the water.

This may turn bright silver into a darker, more antique-looking shade.

But that change isn’t always a bad thing!

Some people actually love the way silver develops character over time. Darkened areas can highlight the details and texture of a design, giving the jewelry a more vintage or distinctive appearance.

You can enjoy keeping your silver bright and polished, or allow it to naturally change over time.

That is part of the charm of silver.

How Should You Take Care of Silver Jewelry?

Luckily, caring for silver jewelry is quite simple.

One of the easiest ways is to use a silver polishing cloth.

These special cloths are widely available at jewelry stores and online. Gently rubbing the surface of your jewelry can help remove tarnish and bring back its original shine.

However, rings with textured surfaces, grooves, or detailed designs can be a little more difficult to clean at home.

we offer complimentary polishing services with no time limit.

If your ring starts to look darker or loses some of its original shine, please feel free to bring it back to us.

We’ll be happy to help you enjoy your ring for many years to come.

Gold vs. Silver — A Quick Comparison

GOLD

◇ Timeless beauty and lasting value

◇ 24K is almost pure gold

◇ 18K contains 75% gold

◇ 10K contains approximately 42% gold

◇ Available in different colors, including Yellow Gold, Pink Gold, and Green Gold

SILVER

◇ A genuine precious metal that is easy to enjoy every day

◇ Silver 925 contains 92.5% silver

◇ It may naturally darken or tarnish over time

◇ Its changing appearance can also become part of its unique character

◇ A silver polishing cloth is an easy way to restore its shine

Which Material Is Right for You?

Gold and silver each have their own beauty.

Gold offers warm colors, lasting value, and a luxurious appearance, while silver has a bright, cool-toned shine that feels simple and easy to wear.

There isn’t one material that is always “better” than the other.

The best choice is the one that suits your style, your lifestyle, and the memories you want your jewelry to carry.

At itoaware Kyoto, you can choose from a variety of materials, shapes, widths, textures, and finishes to create a ring that feels truly personal to you.

Our craftspeople create the base of each ring, and you can also join our ring-making workshop, where you use a hammer to add texture to the surface of your ring yourself.

Many rings can be completed and taken home on the same day, making them a special keepsake from your trip to Kyoto.

If you’re unsure whether gold or silver is right for you, come and see them in person.

Once you try them on, you might be surprised by which one feels most like you.

We hope these guides have made choosing your jewelry material a little easier!

itoaware Kyoto