925 Sterling Silver vs 960 Silver: What Is the Difference?

Aura Diamonds crafts jewellery in two silvers, and they behave quite differently. Here is what separates them, and how to choose.

925 sterling silver, rhodium plated

Sterling silver is the world's jewellery standard: 92.5 percent pure silver alloyed for strength. On its own, sterling slowly tarnishes as it reacts with the air, so we finish our sterling pieces with rhodium plating, a bright layer of precious metal from the platinum family. Rhodium gives sterling its brilliant mirror-white look, shields the silver beneath from tarnish, and adds surface durability. Like all plating, it gradually thins with years of handling and can be renewed with a routine re-plating service, typically after years of daily wear.

960 silver-germanium, unplated

Our 960 collection uses a premium silver alloyed with germanium, and the difference is fundamental: it is not plated at all. The metal itself resists tarnish far better than standard sterling and holds its natural whiteness, so there is no coating to wear through, ever. What you see on day one is the metal itself, and a simple polish always brings it straight back. It is the choice for people who love silver but want it as low-maintenance as possible.

Which should you choose?

Choose rhodium-plated 925 for the brightest possible white finish and the widest range of designs; it is the metal behind most of our best sellers. Choose 960 silver-germanium if you want an unplated precious metal that stays naturally white with minimal upkeep. Both are genuine precious silver, both are crafted to order by our Melbourne team, and both are backed by our manufacturing warranty.

Care for either

Whichever silver you choose, the same habits apply: jewellery on last and off first, stored sealed and dry, wiped after wear. The full routine is in our Ring Care Guide.