Sterling silver alloy and articles made from the same

An improved sterling silver alloy. Like all sterlings, the improved alloy is at least 92.5 percent silver by weight. It has less copper than traditional sterlings: 3.0 percent versus the traditional 7.5 percent. Additionally, the improved alloy includes about 2.75 percent palladium, about 1.0 percent tin, and about 0.75 percent zinc, all by weight. A grain refiner, such as ruthenium, may also be provided. The components of the preferred alloy are melted, degassed, remelted, and then formed into casting grains, wire, and etc. The resulting alloy is significantly harder, as cast, than traditional sterlings: 95-120 Vickers versus 65 Vickers for traditional sterlings. The improved alloy also exhibits improved corrosion resistance. Other than a slightly higher (