Silver alloys
Fine Silver
999ÔÇ░, fine silver
Brilliant, pure white, the whitest silver. Brighter and more reflective than sterling but too soft for most wearable pieces
Composition
99.9% silver, no significant alloying elements
Physical properties
| Density | 10.49 g/cm³ | Weight per unit volume. Platinum is ~40% heavier than 18k gold at equal size |
|---|---|---|
| Melting range | 961–962 °C | Working temperature for alloys. Pure metals have a sharp melting point |
| Vickers hardness | 25 HV | Higher HV = greater scratch resistance in service |
| Mohs hardness | 2.5 | Approximate equivalent for comparative reference |
| Tensile strength | 125 MPa | Resistance to breaking under tension, relevant for prongs and fine settings |
| Purity | 99.90% | Fine metal content by mass |
| Tarnish resistance | Poor | Surface oxidation / sulphidation under typical wear conditions |
| Workability | Excellent | Ease of forming, soldering, and fabricating under standard jewellery workshop conditions |
| Hypoallergenic | Hypoallergenic | Likelihood of triggering skin reactions under normal wear |
Common uses
Bullion bars and coins, granulation techniques, PMC (precious metal clay) work, some designer jewellery, dental applications
Hallmarking & identification
Stamped 999 or 999.9. Rarely used in mainstream jewellery due to softness. Important in PMC jewellery where clay burns away to fine silver.
Care & maintenance
Tarnishes rapidly. Store in anti-tarnish cloth or sealed bags. Handle as little as possible. Clean with polishing cloth before use.
Market & pricing
Spot price benchmark for silver; priced daily on commodity markets. Significant discount to gold, typically 70ÔÇô100├ù cheaper by weight.