Pure silver, as also with pure gold, is too soft for most practical uses and is therefore often combined with other metals or alloyed. A variety of metals can be used to alloy silver but copper is most preferred. Copper will greatly strengthen the alloy and will not detract from the characteristic bright shine of the silver.The most common alloy utilized in jewelry making and silversmithing is sterling or often referred to as .925 sterling. The .925 stamping which is often used on sterling silver jewelry refers to the fact that the metal is 92.5% pure silver. Sterling silver bracelets are amongst the most popular of the items made with this metal. Sterling silver necklaces and sterling silver earrings are very frequently made in the same shape and design to produce matching sets.

In England, during the 12^th century, the 92.5% purity was adopted as a standard alloy. Refiners from the area of Germany known as the Easterling were imported by King Henry II. Their product, which was very consistent in quality, came into usage as currency by 1300 and was known as Easterling silver. Coin silver, which is another common alloy, contains more copper usually somewhere between 10% to 20%. Coin silver is more susceptible to tarnishing than sterling and it melts at a slightly lower temperature. Sterling silver has a melting point of 1640 degrees Fahrenheit. Until 1966 the United States used an alloy of 90% for U.S. coins but currently no more silver is used and this trend has been international in scope.