Sterling Silver Jewelry - The Definition And Etymology Of Sterling

Sterling, (Ster-ling) noun: British money; the Poundproduction, where the term 'Easterling Silver' would
Sterling, the basic monetary unit of the United Kingdom.later be truncated to sterling silver. These first editions
Sterling, (Ster-ling) adjective: A superlative meaning theof sterling currency are known as the Tealby Pennies,
highest in quality.and were introduced as the English currency by King
Sterling Silver, (Ster-ling Sil-ver) noun: A silver alloy ofHenry II in 1158. From this period till the mid 20th
.925 parts purity to the 1000, with no more than 7.5%Century, although the content and purity wavered,
copper or nickel used to make objects of art such aspennies made from sterling silver remained a constant
sterling silver jewelry.feature in British currency.
Today, although the words Pound Sterling and SterlingAs a unit of currency the British Pound Sterling,
Silver have two separate meanings, they share theestablished in the late 15th century, originated from the
same etymological roots, coming from a convergentweight values of the Troyes System of Mass. This
source related to ancient British currency.system dates back to King Charlemagne and the city
The eldest origins of the word sterling dates from theof Troyes in 9th Century France. At this time Troyes
Middle-English language, circa 1100 to 1500 A.D., and thehad become a hub in European trade dealing in grain,
word for a little star: Sterrling. Stars were a regularfabrics, spices and amongst other things precious
feature on English silver pennies minted after themetals and gemstones brought back via the crusades.
Norman conquests of England. The reason behind thisThe British Pound Sterling comprised of two hundred
was due to the event that the Norman king, William theand forty sterling pennyweights, equal to the value of
Conqueror, witnessed when crossing the Englishone Troyes pound. One sterling pennyweight was the
Channel. On his way to fight Harold the king of Englandweight of twenty-four grains of barley; a
at the battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D., William sawmeasurement that has its origins in classical Greece,
Haley's Comet flash across the sky. This was takenwhich instead of barley used carob grains to measure
as a good omen and after he won the battle, gainingthe mass of any small object. The use of Carob grains
the throne of England, stars became a regular featureresulted in the modern derivative word Carat: the
on Norman England's silver currency.weight system commonly used for gemstones.
An additional source for the word sterling comes fromIn 1971, in line with rest of Europe, the UK currency was
Easterling silver, which was used to refer to a type ofconverted into the metric decimal system. And today,
silver coin used as currency in an area of easternalthough the term 'Pound Sterling' is still used to refer to
Germany known as the Easterling. The area wasBritish currency made of gold or paper, it is used in a
founded around the consolidation of five towns thatsolely figurative sense. While no longer used in
engaged in substantial trade with England in the 12thcirculating currency anywhere in the world, this grade
Century, they paid for goods imported from Englandof silver is highly respected and produced to make
with a currency made of .925 parts Silver.incredibly durable and inexpensive sterling silver jewelry
The English soon noticed the unwavering durability andthat is perfectly suited to daily use.
value of the German coins, renaming them coins of theRead Sterling Silver Jewelry - The Definition And
Easterlings. Soon, by decree of the first PlantagenetEtymology Of Silver
king Henry II, the alloy was set as the standard forCopyright © SilverShake Corporation. All Rights
English currency. The metal refiners of Easterling wereReserved.
expedited to England, and started refining silver for coin