Question: what is the difference between sterling silver and fine silver?
Answer: Fine silver is pure silver, 99.9% silver. Fine silver does not tarnish, but is soft and is not suitable for chain maille unless the rings are soldered. Sterling silver is a silver alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. The copper makes the silver harder and more durable but also causes the silver to tarnish over time.