Impressive in price and high demand — which silver grade is the most expensive.

Silver is considered one of the oldest and most valuable precious metals. It is used in jewelry, electronics, medicine, and investments. However, among the various silver grades — from 800 to 999 — the logical question arises: which one is the most expensive and why? At first glance, the answer seems obvious: 999 grade, as it contains 99.9% pure silver. But in practice, it is not so simple.

The editorial team of Novyny.LIVE explains which silver grade is considered the most expensive and why it is valued.

What is a grade and why is it important

Silver grade is an indicator of the metal's purity, that is, how many grams of pure silver are contained in 1,000 grams of alloy.

The most common grades:

• 800 — 80% silver, 20% impurities;
• 875 — a classic of Soviet times;
• 925 — so-called 'sterling silver', the most renowned in the jewelry industry;
• 960-970 — rare technical alloys;
• 999 — nearly pure silver.

It seems that the higher the grade, the more expensive it is. But this does not always work that way, specialists from 'Silver Country' emphasize.

Why 925 grade is sometimes more expensive than 999

Sterling silver (925 grade) is the most popular alloy in the jewelry industry. And here's why:

1. Durability: pure silver (999) is soft, easily bends, and wears out quickly. Meanwhile, the 925 grade is much more resilient due to the addition of 7.5% copper.
2. Aesthetics: sterling silver shines, does not tarnish quickly, and retains its appearance longer.
3. Market demand: jewelers primarily use the 925 grade. It is accessible, easy to work with, and has predictable quality.
4. Brand products: most jewelry from well-known manufacturers is made of 925 silver, thus, the price of finished products is significantly higher.

This means that in the real sector — not raw materials, but finished products — the 925 grade may be more expensive.

Now 999 is about investments

999 silver is an investment metal. It is used to make ingots, collectible coins, and industrial components for high-tech equipment.

The market price of silver is determined specifically by the 999 grade, but this form is practically unsuitable for making jewelry — it is brittle and soft. However, for those who store capital in metals, the 999 grade is the most valuable and the purest.

Technical grades: 960-970 — more expensive due to rarity

In some countries (including Japan and Germany), intermediate grades — 960, 970 — are used, which:

• have high purity;
• retain better mechanical properties;
• are produced in limited batches;
• are often used for designer jewelry, art objects.

Due to limited circulation and premium segment, such products can cost more than regular 925 sterling silver.

The market decides: what matters more — purity or demand

The retail silver price is formed not only by grade but also by:

• processing complexity;
• design;
• brand;
• sales region;
• demand.

Sometimes, a jewelry item made of 925 grade can cost twice as much as a coin made of 999 silver — everything depends on the factors beyond the chemical composition.

Which grade is considered the most expensive now

When it comes to the price of pure metal on the exchange, then the 999 grade is the undisputed leader. It is the one that appears in the quotes of the London Metal Exchange.

However, in the jewelry sector, where the main roles are played by form, brand, and demand, the 925 grade is often more expensive.

Unique designer items made of 960 or 970 grades in limited editions are even more expensive, but only in the premium segment.

Events in the silver market are closely related to various factors such as the purity of the metal, demand for products, and their technical characteristics. Even unique designer items with high grades can be more expensive than regular jewelry due to their high quality and limited availability in the market. Thus, the price of silver is determined not only by its grade but also by many other factors that affect the value of products and their popularity among consumers.