What is the difference between 'Silver' and 'Sterling Silver'?

What sachii said is true about Sterling silver. I'd just like to add that there are lots of alloys which have been sold as silver. I'm not saying they are not real, but these alloys contain only a small percentage in silver. There could be another reason why the earrings you have bought are cheap. It could be that the earring was from their old stock when the silver price was low. Now that the silver price has increased big time, the new stocks will of course be costlier and the shop sold the old stock at the old price therefore, you get it cheaper. If you have any doubt, take it to a jeweller and have him run a test.

Hi daliaj! Sterling silver is an alloy which contains about 92.5% silver and 7.5% from other metals. Sterling silver is harder than pure silver. Pure silver easily bends or deforms when you apply force / pressure on it. The pure form is not ideal for functional objects such as spoons, it is best if it will be used for wires for conductivity. Sterling silver is cheaper than pure forms. Happy mylotting!