Make no mistake, almost everything these days can be faked. If you're wondering about your "silver" jewelry or a piece you're planning to buy, you need to read this. Let's talk about real silver jewelry and how to spot fake silver jewelry.
Keyword(s): Primary KW - real silver; Secondary KW - how to tell if silver is real, is sterling silver real silver, how to tell real silver, how to identify silver, fake silver
Did you know that silver is considered a noble metal because it resists corrosion and oxidation in ways that other elements don't?
92.5% purity
at the very least. The remaining 7.5%, typically copper, is there for purposes of durability and strength.
A beautiful pair of stud earrings, sterling silver hoop earrings or a simple ring can be shined to last a lifetime.
So instead of buying cheap jewelry that needs constant replacement, why not splurge on something made with precious metal that's going to last? Spend less time shopping and more time wearing. Less spending and more investing.
This handy guide will help you guarantee that you're getting the real deal when it comes to your silver.
Read on!
Luckily for us jewelry wearers, there are many ways to tell if the silver item you're purchasing or adorning is authentic. From at-home silver tests, to the look, feel, and smell tests, you'll become an expert at determining silver content and identifying the fakes in no time.
Ensure the quality of your silver item is up to par by using the following tips.
Remember that 92.5% we were talking about earlier?
Reputable jewelers love imprinting their jewelry with the .925 stamp to let wearers know that it's authentic. You may not have even noticed, because the stamps are usually small and in discreet places.
Check the inside of your silver ring or the underside of a bracelet - or sometimes the side of a clasp. Does it have a teeny tiny .925? Then it's a real one!
Keep in mind that not every piece of real silver will have this marking, but a majority will. It's just one way to tell.
Your jewelry doesn't have a stamp? Keep reading.
This is a trick question!
If the answer is yes, that's not exactly a bad thing.
If your sterling silver tarnishes, that's actually a sign that it's real. Fake silver will lose its shine over time, and underneath can be any number of ugly cheap base metals that may turn your skin green. No amount of polishing will return that original shiny tone.
On the contrary, real silver can be polished back to its original, sleek color, no matter how much time has passed. Don't judge jewelry by its tarnish. If you see something with the potential to be beautiful, bring it home and give it a buff.
You may have found a treasure.
Many luxury sterling silver designers are now adding a thick layer of rhodium (platinum family) to the sterling silver to prevent tarnish and preserve the shine.
The Eros Milano of Italy collection features this rhodium finish on every piece.
If you don't have the time to visit a professional jeweler, you can perform a number of tests on your unique silver jewelry using something you already have: your senses.
Look: is the outside peeling? Color distorted? Layers of metal?
All signs point to a fake piece of jewelry.
Smell: does it smell funny? Like Sulphur? Unnatural?
Then it's not silver. Silver doesn't have a distinct smell.
Feel: is it bumpy? Scratchy? Generally not smooth?
The material doesn't sound like real silver, then. Is it super sturdy? It could be a different element, as silver is soft and bendable, to a certain extent.
These at-home tests should be enough to check the quality of your silver. But if you want even more assurance, feel free to read on. There's no denying the scientific results of an acid test.
One of the surest ways to tell if your silver is real or not is by performing a simple acid test.
If you have the time, do this at your local jewelry store. They'll do the test on the spot. If you'd rather do it at home, order the proper solution and try it yourself!
Simply put: a drop of acid is placed on the silver in question. If the acid changes color, certain hues indicate whether or not it's fake.
If the acid's color stays the same, you've landed on a true silver piece.
This test is more about finding out whether what you own is fake.
Did you purchase something thinking it was the real thing, and now you're not so sure?
If your jewelry is connecting to magnetic surfaces, we hate to break it to you: that material just isn't silver. Silver is not noticeably magnetic unlike its friends iron, nickel, cobalt, and the like.
Want to tell if your silver is real or fake on the spot? Bring a little magnet with you on your next market visit and test it right there.
Sterling silver is what you're looking for when it comes to jewelry - that quality, nearly 93% stuff.
But let's not underestimate the beauty of its close seconds and thirds. Here are a few other kinds of silver alloys you may come across:
What are you going to see most?
The answer is definitely sterling silver. Others are rare but occasionally spotted.
Is sterling silver real? Chances are, you already know the answer to this question. True quality can't be replicated.
Does it look real? Feel smooth? Shine brightly when you polish it? Maintain its original color?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then congratulations are in order! You own a quality piece of jewelry that you can wear for a lifetime. Real silver should be able to last for centuries, passed down from you to your children, and so on.
For the jewelry connoisseur, fake stuff just doesn't cut it anymore.
Q: How Can You Tell if Something is Made of Real Silver?
A: Look for small markings or stamps on the silver item. Genuine silver will be stamped with .925 (sterling silver), 900, or 800. Most genuine silver jewelry will me marked with 925.
Q: What if There is No Stamp or Marking?
A: Start by looking again. The stamp is often out of sight under a clasp, inside a ring, or underneath a design element. Verify the metals used with the company or store where the silver item was purchased.
Q: Is Real Silver Required to Have a Stamp?
A: Short answer, yes. The 925 stamp or hallmark is overseen by the United States government in order to protect consumers. It is illegal for any plated or fake silver item to be stamped or hallmarked with “sterling" or 925.
Q: Is it Illegal for silver plated jewelry to have a 925 stamp?
A: Yes it is. In fact the US government code reads, “In the case of articles of merchandise made in whole of in part of an inferior metal, having deposited or plated… no such article… shall be stamped, branded, engraved or imprinted with the word ‘sterling’…”(sec 297, 15 U.S.C. 8, www.gpo.gov).
When you're ready to upgrade your collection, we're here with the best quality and prices.
Are you in the market for some new jewelry but wondering whether to go for pure silver or the 925 sterling silver? It can be a tough decision, especially if you don’t know the differences between the two. Pure silver and sterling silver may sound like they’re the same, but they have some significant differences in terms of durability, cost, and appearance.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the differences between pure silver and sterling silver. We’ll also delve into what the “925” marking on jewelry means and why paying attention to it is important.
So, whether you’re a jewelry enthusiast or just looking for a new piece to add to your collection, this blog post will help you make an informed decision about whether pure silver or sterling silver is the right choice for you.
Pure silver, also known as fine silver, is the closest form of silver to its pure element state. It is highly valued for its high purity percentage, which is commonly identified by quality stamps such as “.999 FS,” “999,” or “99.9.” These stamps reflect the silver alloy’s actual silver content of 99.9%, with the remaining 0.1% consisting of trace elements of insignificant quality.
However, due to its high purity, fine silver is a soft metal that can easily scratch, dent, or change shape, making it a challenging material for jewelry making. Despite this, its exceptional beauty and luster make it a popular choice for creating unique and delicate jewelry pieces.
Sterling silver is a type of alloy that consists of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, typically copper and other alloy compositions. The addition of copper to the silver provides additional strength and durability, making it more stable and easier to work with than pure silver. As a result, many of the silver jewelry items available for purchase in the market are crafted from sterling silver.
Sterling silver is a compound made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The 925 sterling silver markings indicate the actual silver content in the alloy. The addition of copper increases the hardness of the alloy, transforming it into a much more durable material for jewelry making. The quality of sterling silver is often identified by the hallmark stamp of “.925”, “925 STG”, or “92.5”, which allows jewelers to produce intricate and complex designs of jewelry pieces with sterling silver.
Although sterling silver is harder than pure silver, it is still prone to scratches and tarnishing. To prevent this, a layer of plating can be applied using gold to change the color, or rhodium to enhance the safety guard over the jewelry surface. By taking these precautions, sterling silver jewelry can retain its beauty and durability for years.
The difference between sterling silver vs. pure silver is highly influenced by the following factors:
Cost – When it comes to silver, purity is directly proportional to cost. Real silver, which has a higher purity than sterling silver, is generally more expensive. However, silver 925 is a popular alternative due to its relative affordability. Despite being less pure than real silver, silver 925 retains its beauty and lustrous appearance. Therefore, it is an excellent choice for those seeking an affordable option.
Durability Factor – The added metal alloys in sterling silver makes it significantly stronger and more durable compared to fine silver. This durability ensures that jewelry pieces made from sterling silver can last longer while retaining their design and appeal. Copper is the most commonly chosen metal for creating the alloys used in sterling silver. It offers excellent durability, stability, and longevity, making it a reliable option for creating high-quality sterling silver pieces.
Easier to shape – The design complexity of a piece of jewelry can significantly increase its value. Pure silver is known for being soft and malleable, whereas sterling silver (also known as 925 silver) is much stronger and more pliable. This makes it easier to create intricate and unique designs with 925 silver jewelry. Furthermore, sterling silver is easier to resize, repair, and polish compared to other types of jewelry. And when scratches or scuffs appear, sterling silver can be easily restored to its original luster.
There are techniques that can help you to identify real sterling silver from the fake silver jewelry that is available in the market.
Clean your jewelry – Use a soft white polishing cloth and rub it gently. If you notice any black marks on the cloth after rubbing, it’s a good sign that the jewelry is made of genuine sterling silver. This is because the polishing action removes the oxidized layer that naturally forms on silver over time, revealing the shiny, unblemished metal beneath.
Perform the nitric acid test – Begin by adding a single drop of nitric acid to the surface of the jewelry. If it is authentic, the surface will remain unchanged. However, if the jewelry is made of fake silver or is silver-plated, the area with nitric acid will turn green due to the presence of impurities such as nickel. In contrast, real sterling silver will turn creamy in color when exposed to nitric acid.
Note: Remember to wear gloves and goggles to protect your hand and eyes during the nitric acid test.
Perform a smell test – If you detect an unpleasant odor, it could be a sign that the item contains an excessive amount of copper. True sterling silver should not have any discernible scent.
Perform magnet test – A magnet should have no impact on fine silver or sterling silver. If a piece of jewelry is attracted to a magnet, it is likely not made of authentic sterling silver but rather silver-plated over a base metal.
Identify the quality stamp marking – Determining the authenticity of sterling silver is quite simple, as the markings are straightforward. A genuine sterling silver piece will have a stamp with markings such as “.925”, “92.5”, “925”, “Ster,” or “Sterling Silver” in a hidden area or behind every piece of jewelry.
In conclusion, sterling silver and pure silver have their own unique characteristics and qualities. Pure silver, also known as fine silver, is 99.9% pure silver and is extremely soft, making it difficult to use in jewelry making. On the other hand, sterling silver is a popular choice for jewelry because of its durability and affordability. It is made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, which makes it more resistant to wear and tear.
If you’ve ever come across the number “925” on your silver jewelry, it is an indication that it is made of sterling silver. The number 925 represents the purity level of the silver used in the jewelry, which is 92.5%. This hallmark guarantees that you’re getting the real thing and not a cheap imitation.
When choosing between pure silver and sterling silver, it’s important to consider your needs and preferences. While pure silver is ideal for certain types of jewelry, such as fine art pieces, it may not be suitable for everyday wear. Sterling silver, on the other hand, offers a great balance of affordability, durability, and style.
Overall, both pure silver and sterling silver have their own advantages and disadvantages. But if you’re looking for a beautiful and durable material for your jewelry collection, sterling silver is a way to go!
So, if you plan to add sterling silver to your jewelry collection or want to improve your existing designs, it’s crucial to source from a reputable supplier. It’s equally important to choose a reliable destination known for crafting authentic sterling silver with exceptional quality and sophisticated designs.
One such destination is Thailand, which has a well-earned reputation for producing high-quality sterling silver jewelry. Thailand offers a range of beautiful designs crafted with premium materials. To learn more about why you should source your sterling silver from Thailand, CLICK HERE.
And aside from Thailand, at Deepwear, we can help you connect with several manufacturers of sterling silver worldwide. With our in-house team of jewelry specialists and a large network of sterling silver jewelry suppliers, you can rest assured that you’re getting the real deal. CONTACT US today to get started!