Metals · Ag
Silver
Updated October 16, 2026
The 7 mm, 24 inch chain in solid silver
The size most men want, in solid sterling. Because silver is cheap by weight, you can own the real metal at this size: the silver in it is worth only a little, and most of the price is the work.
The same chain in solid 14K gold would hold about 90 grams of gold: see the gold page.
Silver is the whitest and most reflective metal. Pure (fine) silver is 99.9% silver and stamped "999"; it is too soft for most jewellery, so sterling silver adds copper to make it harder: at least 92.5% silver, stamped "925". Silver darkens (tarnishes) in air, but a polishing cloth brings it back. Silver plated means a thin coat of silver over another metal.
- Element
- Ag, atomic number 47
- Sterling silver
- At least 92.5% silver, stamped 925
- Fine silver
- 99.9% silver, stamped 999
- Biggest producer (2023)
- Mexico, about a quarter of the 26,000 tonnes mined worldwide
925, 999 and the rest
Sterling (925) is the jewellery standard. Fine silver (999) is softer and whiter, used for pendants, bangles and coins. Britannia silver is 95.8%. "Coin silver" in the US is at least 90%. "German silver" and "nickel silver" contain no silver at all: they are copper, nickel and zinc.
Why silver tarnishes
Sulphur in the air, in eggs, rubber bands and some paper reacts with silver to make a thin black film of silver sulphide. It is only on the surface. Wipe it off with a silver polishing cloth, and store silver in a closed bag or box to slow it down. Wearing silver often keeps it bright.
Rhodium-plated sterling
Many sterling pieces are plated with rhodium, a platinum-group metal, so they stay bright and do not tarnish. When the plating wears, the silver underneath can tarnish again; it is still sterling.
The silver atom
Sterling silver is 92.5% silver atoms with copper mixed in to harden it. A simplified picture: real electrons are fuzzy clouds, not dots on rings, but the count in each shell is real. The cube shows how the atoms stack in the solid metal.
Electron shells from each element's ground-state configuration; crystal structures at room temperature. Source: electron configurations of the elements and crystal structures of the elements.
What silver is worth by weight
The price at the top is for pure silver. Jewellery is an alloy, so each gram is worth that price times its purity. These numbers update with the live price.
| Purity | Share of silver | Worth per gram |
|---|---|---|
| Fine silver (999) | 99.9% | … |
| Britannia (958) | 95.8% | … |
| Sterling (925) | 92.5% | … |
| Coin silver (900) | 90.0% | … |
How much is in a typical piece (sterling)
| Piece | Weight | Metal value at today's price |
|---|---|---|
| Thin cable chain, 1.1 mm, 18 in (typical) | about 2 g | … |
| Cuban chain, 3.5 mm, 20 in (Miabella listing) | about 6.6 g | … |
| Cuban chain, 7 mm, 24 in (the most popular men's chain) (Miabella listing) | about 60 g | … |
| Heavy Cuban chain, 7 mm, 24 in (Miabella thick listing) | about 82 g | … |
| Heavy Cuban chain, 9 mm, 22 in (Miabella listing (1.6 oz)) | about 45 g | … |
| Heavy Figaro chain, 9 mm, 24 in (Miabella listing (2.72 oz)) | about 77 g | … |
| Men's band, 6 mm (typical) | about 6 g | … |
| Squared cuff bangle, 4 mm (Miabella listing) | about 40 g | … |
Silver is cheap by weight, so almost all of what you pay for silver jewellery is the work, design and shop margin: a $40 sterling chain may hold only a few dollars of silver. That is also why sterling is the affordable way into solid precious metal.
Real silver pieces on Amazon
Each listing's own metal details were read on October 16, 2026 and match the title; we show its star rating, and leave out anything under 4 stars. Prices change, so the link goes to the live listing.
The 7 mm, 24 inch chain
The size most men look for. Twenty-four inches is the men's average length on Miabella's own size chart. Real sterling at this size is heavy: 60 to 80 grams.
Cuban and curb chains
Flat, interlocking links. The listing weight tells you if it is solid.
Rope chains
Twisted strands that catch the light; diamond-cut ropes sparkle more.
Miabella Italian sterling silver rope chain, 2 to 3 mm 2 or 3 mmmade in Italy See it on Amazon → 
DSS Italian sterling silver diamond-cut rope chain, 2 mm 2 mm18 in See it on Amazon → 
Savlano Italian sterling silver rope chain, 2 mm 2 mm20 in See it on Amazon → 
Savlano Italian sterling silver rope chain, 3 mm 3 mm18 in See it on Amazon → 
Savlano Italian sterling silver rope chain, 4 mm 4 mm18 in22.6 g See it on Amazon → Figaro chains
Runs of short links broken by one long link.
Miabella Italian sterling silver Figaro chain, 5 mm 5 mm10.5 g See it on Amazon → 
Sterling silver Figaro chain, 5 mm 5 mm20 in16.5 g See it on Amazon → 
JINEAR sterling silver Figaro chain, 4 mm 4 mm18 to 26 in See it on Amazon → 
Miabella Italian sterling silver Figaro chain, 9 mm, 24 in 9 mm24 inabout 77 g See it on Amazon → Franco and box chains
Square, stiff links that hang straight and hold a pendant well.
PORI Italian sterling silver Franco chain, 2.5 mm 2.5 mm16 to 18 in See it on Amazon → 
Sterling silver Franco chain, 3.5 mm 3.5 mm18 to 26 in See it on Amazon → 
Miabella Italian sterling silver round box chain, 2 mm 2 mm18 in9.7 g See it on Amazon → 
KISPER Italian sterling silver box chain, 1 mm 1 mm22 in See it on Amazon → Mariner, rolo and anchor chains
Oval or round links, the classic sailor's chain.
Miabella Italian sterling silver Mariner chain, 4 mm 4 mm26 in15 g See it on Amazon → 
Savlano Italian sterling silver flat Mariner chain, 2.5 mm 2.5 mm24 in See it on Amazon → 
Savlano Italian sterling silver flat Mariner chain, 8 mm 8 mm wide See it on Amazon → 
LeCalla Italian sterling silver rolo chain, 3 mm 3 mm18 in4.9 g See it on Amazon → 
Italian sterling silver rolo chain, 2 to 4 mm 2 mm16 to 30 in See it on Amazon → 
Savlano Italian sterling silver rolo chain, 1.5 mm 1.5 mm18 in See it on Amazon → 
Dankadi Italian sterling silver anchor chain, 3 mm 3 mm18 to 28 in Rhodium plated over sterling silver See it on Amazon → Fine chains: wheat, snake, herringbone, Singapore, cable
Thin chains for pendants and everyday wear.
Kooljewelry sterling silver round wheat chain, 1.5 mm 1.5 mm20 in3.6 g See it on Amazon → 
DSS Italian sterling silver Spiga wheat chain, 1.5 mm 1.5 mm18 in See it on Amazon → 
Sterling silver wheat chain for men, 4 mm 4 mm20 in11.3 g See it on Amazon → 
Miabella Italian sterling silver round snake chain, 2 mm 2 mm7.7 g See it on Amazon → 
PORI Italian sterling silver 8-sided snake chain, 1.5 mm 1.5 mm24 in See it on Amazon → 
KISPER sterling silver snake chain, 1 mm 1 mm22 in See it on Amazon → 
Miabella Italian sterling silver herringbone, 10 mm 10 mm wide20 in33 g See it on Amazon → 
Savlano Italian sterling silver herringbone, 3.5 mm 3.5 mm wide See it on Amazon → 
Miabella Italian sterling silver Singapore chain, 3 mm 3 mm18 in4 g See it on Amazon → 
Savlano Italian sterling silver Singapore bolo chain, 1.5 mm 1.5 mmadjusts 14 to 24 in See it on Amazon → 
Jewlpire sterling silver 1.1 mm cable chain 1.1 mm cable18 in See it on Amazon → Bracelets, cuffs and bangles
Solid sterling for the wrist.
Miabella thick sterling silver Cuban bracelet, 7 mm 7 mm8 in See it on Amazon → 
Miabella Italian sterling silver Cuban bracelet, 9 mm 9 mm8.5 in See it on Amazon → 
Miabella Italian sterling silver Cuban bracelet, 12 mm 12 mm9 in27.2 g See it on Amazon → 
Miabella Italian sterling silver Byzantine bracelet 4 mm7 inhandmade in Italy See it on Amazon → 
Miabella Italian sterling silver squared cuff bangle, 4 mm 4 mm7 in40 g Choose the sterling silver colour, not the gold plated one See it on Amazon → 
Hammered sterling silver handmade cuff, 1/4 in wide 1/4 in wide6.5 in See it on Amazon → 
Solid sterling silver polished bangle, 4 mm 4 mm7.5 in See it on Amazon → Rings, earrings and pendants
Everyday sterling pieces, most of them with thousands of reviews.
Metal Factory sterling silver 2 mm dome band 2 mm band See it on Amazon → 
BORUO sterling silver comfort fit band 4 mm band Choose sterling silver, not the gold plated option See it on Amazon → 
Metal Factory sterling silver Celtic knot band Celtic knot eternity band See it on Amazon → 
LANDA JEWEL heavy sterling silver signet ring oval or cushion face See it on Amazon → 
Savlano sterling silver round hoops, 10 to 25 mm 2 mm tube See it on Amazon → 
AoedeJ sterling silver small click-top hoops small hoops See it on Amazon → 
EVERU sterling silver ball studs, 3 to 10 mm 3 to 10 mm balls See it on Amazon → 
KEZEF sterling silver ball studs, 2 to 10 mm 2 to 10 mm balls See it on Amazon → 
silverzone77 sterling silver cross pendant pendant only See it on Amazon → 
Memento Mori 999 fine silver pendant 30 in chain16 g 999 fine silver See it on Amazon → Frequently Asked Questions
Is sterling silver real silver?
Yes. Sterling is at least 92.5% pure silver; the rest is usually copper to make it harder. It is the standard for silver jewellery.
How do I clean tarnished silver?
Rub it with a silver polishing cloth. For a heavily blackened chain, a few minutes in warm water with baking soda and a sheet of aluminium foil lifts the tarnish; rinse and dry. Do not do this to plated or stone-set pieces.
Does sterling silver turn skin green?
Rarely. The copper in sterling can leave a faint green or grey mark on some skin, especially with sweat; it washes off and is harmless.