whats the difference between sterling silver and silver.?

Answer 1

Sterling Silver has a guaranteed minimum percentage of real silver. Pure silver is very soft, hence it is mixed with other metals for strength (also called an alloy). Sterling Silver is an alloy. A lot of things called silver may or may not have much purse silver in it.

Answer 2

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=1006052639075

What is the difference between Sterling Silver and Pure Silver?

Sterling Silver is composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% of one or more other metals. A common misconception is that copper always makes up the remainder, when in reality titanium, platinum, palladium, and a list of other metals are often used. The addition of another metal to the silver creates an alloy. Sterling Silver is stronger than Pure Silver, and as an alloy, it tarnishes more quickly as well.
Pure Silver is composed of 99.9% silver and nothing else.

Answer 3

sterling means it won't tarnish and its real dat cheap **** is fake dat dey call silver