Sterling Silver Earrings

You have probably noticed the title of sterling silver on jewellery. Just like gold jewellery is available in different carat levels, which specify the purity of the gold, sterling silver is the term for jewellery-grade silver. Silver used for jewellery is generally an alloy, for the perfect mix of beautiful shine and durability. Sterling silver is 92.5 per cent pure silver.

Just as Michael Hill has Our Gold Standard for customers’ peace of mind, our sterling silver jewellery and earrings are made with 925 sterling silver so you can be assured of its quality.

Silver has natural antimicrobial properties that can help to keep your ears clean and free from harmful bacteria and germs. This can reduce the risk of infections and promote your overall well-being. Silver earrings are also hypoallergenic, which means they are less likely to cause allergic reactions or irritations than other metals. Whether you prefer studs, hoops, or drops, silver earrings are a great choice for your style and your health.

Silver earrings provide a beautiful reflective quality when kept polished, but they also take on a different beauty as they age.

To ensure a thorough clean, taking your silver dangly earrings or silver studs for a professional and complimentary clean at your local Michael Hill store is always preferable. However, if you're unable to make it in-store, you can clean your silver earrings at home:  

1. Take a small bowl of warm water and stir in a couple of drops of mild dish soap. 

2. Let your earrings sit in the formula for about five minutes, allowing time for dirt and grime to dislodge. 

3. Take a very soft toothbrush or cotton tip and gently clean around any diamonds or into crevices.

4. Remove leftover residue by rinsing in a bowl of clean warm water.  

5. Dry your silver earrings with a soft cloth. 

6. To restore their shine, use a jewellery polishing cloth to buff your earrings or a specific silver jewellery cleaning solution. 

If you own a pair of silver pearl earrings, you’ll need to treat them slightly differently so as not to damage the pearl’s surface. Carefully wipe them down with a damp cloth soaked in warm soapy water, then gently and thoroughly dry with a separate cloth. 

You’ll want to avoid abrasive cleaning agents like chlorine or ammonia that might dull the shine of your silver earrings, along with soaps, lotions, perfumes and makeup. When you’re not wearing them, store your earrings in a fabric-lined jewellery box to help prevent tarnishing and to keep out of direct sunlight. 

Find out more about caring for silver earrings and other fine jewellery here.

There are a few ways to determine if your silver earrings are genuinely sterling silver. 

Sterling silver is stamped with a ‘925’ imprint to indicate the percentage of silver it contains, or with the word ‘STER’ or ‘STERLING’ to confirm its authenticity. Sterling silver is made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy, like copper and zinc, to enhance its strength. 925 sterling silver is most often the preferred quality for fine jewellery. At Michael Hill, we only provide the highest-quality earrings, from studs to silver dangle earrings, all crafted using 925 sterling silver.

Whether you wear sterling silver earrings is really up to you. Some people love the look of sterling silver thanks to its beautiful lustrous sheen, while others prefer to mix it up with gold earrings now and then. That being said, everyone is different and whether you wish to wear sterling silver comes down to your personal preference.

Sterling silver is also durable, making it great for everyday wear, and is easy to clean. By regularly polishing your silver earrings or studs with a soft jewellery cloth and giving them a deeper clean when needed, your silver earrings will look beautiful for years to come.