What exactly is sterling silver made of? Argintul este definit ca 92.5% Argint pur, and the rest another alloy metal such as copper, fier, or steel. The 7.5% different metal improves the durability of the finished material. This combination is ideal because fine jewelry is soft and prone to bending and breaking. Sterling silver does not simply mean that the piece is plated with silver that will eventually rub off.