Sterling silver has long been central to British jewellery and silversmithing.

Valued for its luminosity, malleability, and quiet strength, sterling silver occupies a unique position among precious metals — refined yet expressive, resilient yet responsive to time and wear.

At Links London, sterling silver is approached as both a material and a tradition, carrying forward centuries of craftsmanship while remaining relevant to modern design.

What Is Sterling Silver?

Sterling silver is a precious metal alloy composed of 92.5% pure silver, balanced with other metals to enhance durability and structural integrity.

This composition allows sterling silver to retain the beauty and character of silver while offering the strength required for jewellery, objects, and detailed forms.

Material Character

Sterling silver is distinguished by its soft, reflective surface and its ability to hold both sculptural volume and fine detail.

Unlike harder metals, sterling silver responds subtly to use and environment. Over time, it may develop a natural patina — a gentle darkening that many collectors regard as a mark of authenticity rather than imperfection.

Craft and Finish

The versatility of sterling silver allows it to be polished to a high lustre, brushed for a satin effect, or worked into complex forms through traditional techniques.

Its adaptability has made it a foundation material for both expressive design and enduring classics.

Hallmarking and Purity

In the United Kingdom, sterling silver has a long-standing relationship with hallmarking — a system developed to guarantee purity and protect both maker and owner.

Hallmarks provide assurance of metal content, origin, and, in many cases, period, forming an essential part of an object’s documented identity.

Sterling Silver Over Time

Sterling silver is not a static material. It evolves with wear, handling, and care, reflecting the life of the piece and its owner.

When properly maintained, sterling silver objects can endure for generations, retaining both their structural integrity and aesthetic presence.

Care and Consideration

As a living metal, sterling silver benefits from thoughtful handling and appropriate storage.

Guidance on preservation, cleaning, and storage can be found within the Care department, where silver-specific considerations are addressed in detail.

Continuity of Craft

From historic Links of London designs to contemporary Links London creations, sterling silver remains a constant — chosen for its balance of beauty, practicality, and heritage.

Its enduring relevance lies not in trend, but in its ability to adapt while remaining unmistakably itself.