Why Sterling Silver Jewelry Is More Expensive Now (2026 Guide)

Why Sterling Silver Jewelry Costs More Now

Over the last couple of years, many shoppers have noticed that sterling silver jewelry is more expensive than before. This isn’t just brand hype. Global silver prices and production costs have risen sharply, and quality‑focused jewelers have had to adjust prices to keep using real 925 sterling silver and durable settings.

What 925 Sterling Silver Really Means

Sterling silver jewelry is stamped “925” because it contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper) to make it strong enough for daily wear.
That composition is the international standard for high‑quality silver jewelry, and it is more expensive than silver‑plated or mystery alloys that can flake, tarnish quickly, or irritate sensitive skin.

How Much Have Silver Prices Increased?

Industry studies and metal‑price data show that silver has gone through a major repricing:

• One analysis of sterling silver chains found around a 42% average increase in retail prices from 2024 to 2025, driven largely by higher silver costs and tariffs.

• The same study notes that the spot price of silver jumped nearly 50% in a year, reaching about 40 USD per ounce in 2025, levels not seen since the 1980s.

• Jewelers report 10–30%+ retail price increases across many silver styles as they pass on part of these higher material costs.

For a single ring, bracelet, or pair of earrings, this means the silver alone can now cost dozens of percent more than it did just a short time ago, before factoring in stones, labor, and finishing.

Why Silver Prices Are Rising

Several structural forces are pushing silver higher, not just short‑term speculation:

• Industrial demand boom. Silver is critical for solar panels, electronics, electric vehicles, 5G networks, and medical devices, so manufacturers keep buying even when prices rise.

• Supply constraints and deficits. Mining output has struggled to keep up; analysts describe repeated “structural deficits” where demand outpaces new supply.

• Investor and currency worries. Economic uncertainty and concerns about inflation or currency debasement have led more investors to hold silver as a store of value, adding extra demand on top of industrial use.

Because of these trends, many experts expect silver to remain relatively expensive compared with past years, even if prices fluctuate month to month.

What This Means for Moissanite & Silver Jewelry

For moissanite jewelry, the stone cost has stayed relatively stable, but the silver settings have become significantly more expensive.
Manufacturers and brands face higher bills for:

• 925 silver casting and raw metal

• Skilled labor to set stones securely

• Plating (for gold‑plated silver pieces) and finishing steps

Some companies respond by switching to lighter settings, lower‑purity alloys, or cheaper plating to hide the cost increase. Others, especially jewelry labels focused on longevity and sensitive skin, choose to keep metal quality high and adjust prices instead of cutting corners.

How Sensitive Stones Approaches Pricing

At Sensitive Stones, quiet luxury starts with materials:

• 925 sterling silver for hypoallergenic, everyday‑wear durability

• Lab‑grown moissanite for intense sparkle and ethical, conflict‑free sourcing

• Careful settings and finishing so pieces hold up from workdays to special occasions

Because silver prices and production costs have risen so much in the last couple of years, our jewelry is periodically repriced to reflect real metal and craftsmanship costs, not arbitrary markups.

This allows the brand to maintain:

• Full‑purity 925 silver instead of weaker alloys

• Secure, long‑lasting settings for each moissanite stone

• Consistent quality for customers with sensitive skin

If you notice that a piece you viewed before is now higher in price, that change usually tracks updated silver and manufacturing costs rather than any change in the stone quality.

Ready to invest in quality sterling silver jewelry that lasts? Explore our collection of moissanite and sterling silver pieces designed for everyday elegance and sensitive skin.

How to Get the Best Value

Even in a higher‑silver‑price environment, customers can still get strong value from moissanite and sterling silver jewelry:

• Look for the “925” hallmark to confirm real sterling silver rather than plated base metals.

• Compare designs with similar metal weight and stone size; deep discounts on heavy‑looking pieces can signal compromised metal or plating quality.

• Take advantage of seasonal promotions (such as New Year or Valentine’s events) from brands that are transparent about materials and pricing, rather than chasing the absolute lowest sticker price.

Understanding the silver market helps you see why quality matters. At Sensitive Stones, we choose full‑purity 925 silver and lab‑grown moissanite over ultra‑cheap shortcuts because your jewelry should last.

Shop Sensitive Stones' Valentine's Day collection and discover unbeatable value in authentic 925 sterling silver and moissanite—even with rising silver costs.