Wiktionary
n. 1 An alloy containing not less than 92.5 percent of silver, the remainder usually being copper. 2 Sterling-silver articles collectively.
WordNet
n. a silver alloy with no more than 7.5% copper
Wikipedia
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness of 925.
Fine silver, for example 99.9% pure silver, is generally too soft for producing functional objects; therefore, the silver is usually alloyed with copper to give it strength while preserving the ductility and appearance of the precious metal. Other metals can replace the copper, usually with the intention of improving various properties of the basic sterling alloy such as reducing casting porosity, eliminating firescale, and increasing resistance to tarnish. These replacement metals include germanium, zinc and platinum, as well as a variety of other additives, including silicon and boron. Alloys such as argentium silver have appeared in recent decades.
Usage examples of "sterling silver".
Put aside your plan to carry back the bridle of spun gold to Sterling Silver and your High Lord.
The castle at Sterling Silver was a thing of magic, and magic was needed to save it.
He could feel the pulse of Sterling Silver beneath his feet, the beat of her heart, of her lifeblood, of her soul.
He had been walking since sometime after midnight because the Gorse wanted him at the gates of Sterling Silver just before sundown of today so that they would have to admit him into the castle for the night.
Ben was thinking about home, about Sterling Silver, and the warmth of the life that waited there for him.
This isn't about mind's eye crystals or Sterling Silver or being King!
If he couldn't find his daughter and his friends, he would have no other choice but to return to Sterling Silver and sit around waiting for the rest of Rydall's monsters to come for him.
The familiar graven image of the Paladin riding out of Sterling Silver at sunrise glimmered back.