Is 9ct gold or sterling silver harder wearing?

9ct gold, at Mohs 3.5 against 2.75. Airborne dust contains quartz at Mohs 7, so anything below that scratches from ordinary wear alone.

9ct gold, at 11.2 g/cm³ against 10.5. That is 1.1 times the weight, which is very obvious on the hand rather than a technicality.

Yes, both. Either can be sized up or down by a bench jeweller, and we do it free.

9ct gold, starting at £395 against £145. That is about 172% more before any stone or inlay.

Yes, both, at the Birmingham Assay Office.

Comparison

9ct gold or Sterling silver?

9ct gold is meaningfully harder, so if your hands take a beating the choice is largely made for you.

	9ct gold	Sterling silver
Surface hardness	Mohs 3.5	Mohs 2.75
Density	11.2 g/cm³	10.5 g/cm³
Resizable	Yes	Yes
Hallmarked	Yes	Yes
Hypoallergenic	Alloy dependent	Yes
Price from	£395	£145

What the difference actually feels like

9ct gold is 1.1 times the weight of sterling silver for the same ring. On paper that is a number; on the hand it is the difference between a ring you forget about and one you are aware of every time you move. Neither is better. It is worth knowing which you want before you spend anything.

9ct gold sits at Mohs 3.5 against 2.75. Ordinary household dust carries quartz at Mohs 7, which is the line that matters: below it a ring collects fine scratches from nothing more than daily life. The gap here is real but not dramatic.

The straight answer

Choose 9ct gold if a traditional ring on a real budget, or if anyone who wants it resizable for life.

Choose sterling silver if a hallmarked precious ring on a small budget, or if pendants and earrings.

Still torn? The metal chooser asks six questions and picks one, and it will tell you if neither of these is right.

In both materials

Rings to look at

Plain

Court, 9ct

Rounded inside and out. The most comfortable profile there is.

From £395 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 mm

Plain

Promise band

Slim, hallmarked, with one small stone. Not everything has to be a statement.

From £265 2 / 3 mm

Plain

Court, silver

Hallmarked precious metal at the lowest price we can do it.

From £145 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 mm

Common questions

Is 9ct gold or sterling silver harder wearing?: 9ct gold, at Mohs 3.5 against 2.75. Airborne dust contains quartz at Mohs 7, so anything below that scratches from ordinary wear alone.
Which is heavier?: 9ct gold, at 11.2 g/cm³ against 10.5. That is 1.1 times the weight, which is very obvious on the hand rather than a technicality.
Can both be resized?: Yes, both. Either can be sized up or down by a bench jeweller, and we do it free.
Which costs more?: 9ct gold, starting at £395 against £145. That is about 172% more before any stone or inlay.
Are both hallmarked?: Yes, both, at the Birmingham Assay Office.