The advantage of gold filled over plating is the thickness of the surface gold. Silver Fine silver, meaning pure, is the whitest of all metals, has the greatest luster and is second only to gold for malleability and utility. Fine silver is also identified as 999 parts per thousand. High Fine is 999.5 and is a premium priced collectors' grade. Silver is the metal most often used for handmade jewellery.
Fine silver is too soft for most jewellery applications.
Because of its softness, silver is alloyed with other metals to increase its strength and hardness. The metal most often added is copper. In small proportions, the copper adds toughness without reduced luster and malleability. Sterling silver or 925 silver is the most common form used for jewellery. Platinum Platinum is a dense, tough, white metal used primarily for diamond settings.