Silver ball necklace: a guide to 925 sterling silver

Short answer: Look for a 925 stamp (sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver), a ball that closes cleanly, and a chain you can adjust. Silver darkens slowly, and a wipe with a dry cloth after wearing keeps it bright.

Metal

925 sterling silver, or stainless steel. Each listing names the metal of the pendant, chain and clasp

Finish

Polished, brushed or openwork

Care

Wipe dry, store in the pouch, keep away from chlorine and perfume

Personalise

Engraved medal, gemstones, charms

Why people choose silver

Silver has a cool, bright tone that looks clean against a pregnant bump and suits blue, lilac and white stones. It is also the classic metal for harmony balls, so you will find the widest choice of shapes in it, from plain polished spheres to chunky cages.

What 925 sterling silver means

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, mixed with other metals, usually copper, so that it is strong enough to wear. The mark is 925, stamped on the pendant or the clasp. A seller who is proud of their silver tells you the metal of the pendant, the chain and the clasp separately, because a silver ball on a plated chain is common.

Be wary of “silver tone”, “silver colour” or “silver plated” in the title. These can mean a base metal with a silver-coloured finish. They are not sterling silver, and the price should reflect that.

Smooth ball or openwork cage

A smooth silver ball has an even, mirror-like or brushed finish and is easy to wipe clean. An openwork cage lets the chime out more and looks more decorative, but dust and skin oils collect in the pattern. Neither is better. Choose the one you would enjoy looking at every day.

Chunky or fine

A chunky silver ball is a statement, and it carries the sound. A finer ball with a slim chain is quieter and easier to forget you’re wearing. In the last trimester a lighter pendant is more comfortable, so if you are buying in early pregnancy, think ahead.

Tarnish and care

Silver darkens slowly when it meets air, sweat, perfume and some cosmetics. That is normal and reversible.

• Wipe it with a soft dry cloth after wearing it.
• Put it on after perfume, hairspray and body lotion.
• Store it in its cotton pouch, away from damp rooms.
• Take it off for swimming pools, where chlorine can mark silver.
• Avoid dip cleaners on pieces with gemstones. Softer stones such as lapis and moonstone can be damaged.

The longer version is in our guide to cleaning a harmony ball necklace.

Silver or stainless steel?

Stainless steel doesn’t tarnish the way silver does and is tougher. Silver is softer and takes a polish that steel can’t, and it is the more traditional choice. If you want a gold look, steel with a gold plating is the practical route, which we cover in the gold ball necklace guide.

Sensitive skin

Most people wear sterling silver without trouble. The copper in the alloy can leave a faint grey mark on some skin, which is harmless and washes off. If you have a known metal allergy, ask the seller what is in the alloy before you order.

Add a name or a stone

Silver takes engraving cleanly, so an engraved silver medal beside the ball is a popular way to add a name or a date. See how to personalise a pregnancy necklace.

Questions people ask