Silver School · OJA Silver

Why Real Silver Is Worth It: A Buyer's Guide to 925 Sterling Silver Jewellery in the UK

If you are shopping for silver jewellery in the UK and wondering whether it is worth paying more for solid 925 sterling silver, this is the guide for you.

The answer is yes. Here is exactly why, and what to look for when you buy.

What You Are Actually Buying

The UK jewellery market sells several things under the word "silver":

• 925 sterling silver 92.5% pure silver, hallmarked, the real thing
• Silver-plated base metal (often with nickel) coated in a thin silver layer
• Silver-filled a thicker bonded layer than plating, but still not solid silver
• Silver-toned / silver-coloured no silver content at all

Only the first is real silver. The others are surface finishes that wear off.

In the UK, 925 sterling silver must be hallmarked by an approved assay office before it can legally be described as silver. The Assay Office London and the British Hallmarking Council regulate this. Look for the "925" stamp and the lion passant mark.

The Long-Term Cost Argument

Plated silver earrings at £6. Solid 925 silver earrings at £22. Over the course of two years:

• Plated earrings: typically replaced every 3–6 months as plating wears through skin contact. Cost over 2 years: £24–£48 minimum plus the irritation and reactions if the base metal contains nickel.
• Solid 925 silver earrings: still the same pair, in the same condition, worn every day. Cost: £22, once.

Real silver is not a premium purchase. It is a more rational one.

Skin Safety: The Non-Negotiable Reason

Approximately 1 in 7 people in the UK have a nickel allergy according to Allergy UK — making it the most common cause of contact dermatitis from jewellery. The NHS identifies nickel as one of the leading triggers for skin reactions.

Nickel is used extensively as a base metal in fashion jewellery and as a hardening agent in some cheaper silver alloys. When plating wears through, or when the alloy itself contains nickel, it comes into direct contact with skin, triggering reactions that worsen with each exposure.

925 sterling silver contains no nickel. The 7.5% alloy is copper, which is well-tolerated by the vast majority of people. This is why 925 silver is genuinely hypoallergenic in practice not just in marketing language.

What to Look For When You Buy

1. The hallmark

Any sterling silver sold in the UK above a certain weight threshold must be hallmarked. On genuine 925 silver you will see the millesimal fineness "925" alongside the lion passant. If neither is present, it is not certified sterling silver.

2. Solid, not plated

The product description should clearly state "solid 925 sterling silver" or "sterling silver throughout." If it says "silver-plated," "silver-toned," or does not specify, it is not solid silver.

3. A brand that knows its materials

A brand that makes 925 silver will be clear about it. They will talk about the alloy, the hallmark, and why it matters for skin. If a brand is vague about what their "silver" is made of, treat that as a signal.

4. Price as a signal

Silver has a spot price on global markets. A pair of solid 925 silver earrings with real craftsmanship cannot responsibly be sold for £3. If it seems impossible, the silver is probably not real.

OJA Silver: 925 Throughout

Every OJA Silver piece is made from solid 925 sterling silver, not plated, not filled. Designed in London, made to be worn every day. Hypoallergenic, tarnish-resistant, and built to last.

We make everyday jewellery you do not have to take off. The kind that sits on your wrist through showers, stays in your ears through sleep, and still looks right in five years.

Real silver is always the smarter buy. No plating. No compromise. Just OJA.

Browse 925 sterling silver jewellery.

• 925 Sterling Silver Earrings UK — studs, hoops, drops
• 925 Sterling Silver Necklaces UK — chains, pendants, layering pieces
• 925 Sterling Silver Bracelets UK — bangles, cuffs, chains
• Sterling Silver Charms
• Real Silver Jewellery Gifts Under £25
• Everyday Elegance — Designed to Live on You

Free UK shipping on orders over £50. Royal Mail tracked delivery, 2–5 working days.