A guide to understanding .925 sterling silver

We have all heard the term “.925 sterling” at some point when buying silver, but do we really know what each thing refers to? Most likely, some people do understand what it means, either because of their profession or studies, their experience buying silver, or because they are especially curious about these types of terms. Others probably associate the term with silver jewelry, but do not know exactly what it means or its implications.

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As we have mentioned before, the founders of Lolo grew up in Taxco, Guerrero, a magical town specialized in the crafting of silver. Moreover, they grew up watching their mother start her own business with a silver store. Being able to grow up witnessing this, provided them with the privilege of accessing silver workshops where artisans share the wisdom of both modern and ancient techniques to make sterling silver jewelry as well as the specifics of this craft.

That is why we decided to write this week’s blog, to briefly explain what .925 sterling silver is, sharing this knowledge, their advice, and so that we can learn in greater detail the importance of distinguishing what we get when buying silver jewelry, such as necklaces, rings, or earrings. So, let’s jump into the specifics of silver to understand it better.

Silver pieces in what is considered their “finest” or “purest” state are not made entirely of silver, but instead are part silver and a portion of another metal. For a piece of silver to have good resistance, it must be mixed with other metals, because in its purest state, silver as a metal is too malleable, flexible, and weak. In fact, the purest silver is also the one that can be most easily damaged, and it would be impossible to make a piece of jewelry with 100% silver.

Today, the .925 composition is the most common in silver quality products and the term sterling refers to that degree of purity in the piece. This means that it is an alliance (or alloy) made of 92.5% silver and 7.5% of other element from the periodic table that can include zinc, copper, or nickel, but mostly copper is used. But why copper? Although other metals are occasionally used to blend with the silver, copper has proven to be the best component for this alliance, improving its strength, and increasing the durability of the piece.

Another very important reason copper is used is that it does not affect or change the original color of silver; it can affect the value of the piece minimally, but it increases its composition and resistance.

How to know if a piece of jewelry really is .925 silver?

It is important to know if the product we are buying is made of silver or not. Many times, the product at first sight is shiny enough and finished in a way that it might seem real silver. Unfortunately, the reality is that a piece could be made of a lesser amount of silver, it could simply be silver plated (a metal coated with silver) or worse, another lesser-value metal. For someone who is not in the trade, it is in fact difficult to know when we are buying exactly .925 silver unless one pays attention to the stamp, or the price, or that you buy it in a reputable store. 

Here are some tips or tricks so that you can distinguish a .925 silver piece of jewelry from the one that is not. This way you will have criteria to be able to differentiate it.

The mark or stamp “.925”

When a piece of jewelry is made of .925 silver, it usually bears a mark or stamp with that number. Look closely and, if it has it, it is most likely .925 silver. Keep in mind that this mark or stamp is not always present, especially if the piece is too small or delicate, it may not be punched to prevent it from being damaged.

The price of .925 silver

Another of the easiest ways to know whether a piece is .925 silver is the price of the piece. Like everything in life, what is good and of high quality has a higher price than what is of worse quality. Many jewelry pieces look very similar to .925 silver but may only be silver plated. If the price of the jewel is very low, it can be a good indicator that it is not.

Use a magnet to detect 925 silver

A very easy trick to tell if something is silver is to use a magnet. This precious metal does not offer magnetism to the magnet, or it is very weak. On the other hand, if the piece is made of other metals, they will show that magnetism, so the magnet will remain attached to the piece. So, an easy way is to pass a magnet through your pieces. Although running a magnet may create some magnetism (silver is blended with other metals, after all), the magnet shouldn't stay totally stuck and the piece should slide down on its own when tilted. 

Buy your jewelry from a trusted store

Undoubtedly, one of the best guarantees you can have is buying your sterling silver jewelry from a trusted store/merchant. In the market there are many jewelry companies that claim to sell .925 silver jewelry. Beyond that, and despite having the “.925” seal, or stamp, some are made without meeting the standards of the stamp or quality of the binding of metals. 

At Lolo we offer .925 silver from Taxco in all our jewelry designs. Whether in rings, earrings, bracelets, or chains, we ensure quality jewelry for life backed with years of reputation, working side by side with talented artisans, renowned for their experience working this precious metal. Moreover, jewelry from Taxco is unique in the world given that most, if not all processes of fabrication are 100% handmade and, thus, artisanal. So, if you would like to check out our high inventory of sterling silver pieces, be sure to check it out here.

If you would like to read more about Taxco and Lolo’s origins with sterling silver, you cannot miss our blog Artisanal Jewelry: Our Beloved Taxco and Its Talented Hands.

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Let's get this out of the way: the first thing you need to understand is the silver used in jewellery is not pure silver. It is a silver alloy, a metal mixture of two or more elements. Pure silver is too soft for jewellery making, but sterling silver or 925 silver is the jewellery quality standard for most world markets.

So, how can you tell you have quality sterling silver jewellery? There are 6 tests to check if you're buying high-quality sterling silver.

1. The 925 hallmarks or stamp
2. The nitric acid test
3. The magnetic test
4. The Rubbing Test 
5. It has no smell
6. X-ray

Some of these are easier to conduct than others. 

Whether you are shopping online or in-store, people need to guarantee 925 sterling silver quality and the best value for your money. Continue to learn crucial tips for buying sterling silver jewellery and the other types of silver used in jewellery making.

925 Silver Two Hearts Pendant Necklace

How to tell your sterling silver jewellery is quality

Look for a Stamp/ Hallmark 

Silver jewellery's rise in popularity led to the industry standardisation of sterling silver products. While the origin of every sterling silver piece is hard to identify, you can recognise authenticity by looking for a small inner inscription on your piece.

Silver Heart Ring 925 sterling silver 

Look for the stamp symbols "Ster," "925", "S925," or "Sterling Silver." The 925 hallmark is the quickest way to indicate genuine sterling silver. However, only jewellery items or components with the available surface area will bear the stamp. Therefore, small items are often unstamped despite quality alloys.

Want more information on S925 Necklace? Feel free to contact us.

Governments regulate silver with slight variations across countries. Most laws state that plated silver material is not stamped or hallmarked on the surface. Jewellery makers mark cheaper plated silver as "silver-plated." 

A Chemical Test 

Some sterling silver jewellery may not have a hallmark or stamp. However, a jeweller or expert can use nitric acid to determine authenticity.

Nitric acid does not have any effect on authentic sterling silver jewellery. However, the acid affects fake or silver-plating, causing bubbles and green colouration.

Many established jewellery dealers will propose the Nitric acid test to attest to the quality of their products. Though we do not advise you to conduct the test yourself at home, if you do, gloves and goggles will prevent any injuries.

The Magnet Test

Hold an ordinary magnet above or near the silver jewellery. Pure silver is not magnetic, and as sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, the piece should not attract. If the piece is drawn to the magnet, it is either silver-plated or silver-filled jewellery that contains a significant percentage of metal than silver.

The Rubbing Test 

Perhaps the most straightforward test to determine your 925 silver jewellery quality. Rub your silver piece with a soft cloth and check the surface. Black marks on the fabric indicate the authenticity of the sterling silver piece as real silver oxidises on exposure to the air. The tarnish left on the cloth is a byproduct of the oxidisation and indicates lower grade silver alloys.

The Smell Test 

Many cheap metals have a distinctive smell. High-quality sterling silver metal has no scent. If your jewellery piece has a noticeable odour, it usually indicates a high copper alloy percentage, diminishing its value and quality.

Xray

X-rays are used to determine the silver content in an alloy, and it is favoured as it is non-destructive, though arguably the most difficult to perform out of the six tests. The test is reasonably accurate on most silver items, but layers and some plating types may vary results. The jewellery must be sent to a lab for testing. It is expensive, making it an unsuitable test at purchasing or for any everyday jewellery wearer.

DEPHINI White Heart Necklace - 925 Sterling Silver Pendant CZ Crystal

What Are the Different Types of Silver?

Fine Silver

Fine silver or .999 silver is the closest to silver in the purest form. It is marked .999 indicating 99.9% purity, while the 0.1% consists of trace elements. Fine silver has a more vitreous lustre appearing slightly duller. It will scratch, dent and change shape fairly easily as the material is soft. For that reason, we don't commonly use it in jewellery.

However, fine silver forms easily, fuses without soldering, and is highly tarnish-resistant - so some designers enjoy using it. It is best for earrings or necklaces instead of rings or bracelets that are more likely to wear and tear.

Sterling .925 Silver

Sterling silver or 925 silver is the jewellery quality standard for most world markets. The remaining 7.5% metal increases the material's hardness, durability, and lustre. The metal is usually copper, but other metals such as nickel are also common.

Elegant Necklace - 925 Sterling Silver Jewellery Heart Pendant Dephini

The silver alloy is more likely to tarnish than pure silver but easy to clean with readily available polishing products. It is commonly stamped with .925, Stg or S925.

ARgentium Silver and Non-Tarnish Alloys

This type of silver alloy is reasonably new to the market. Argentium silver is a non-tarnish kind of brand. These pieces have a minimum of 92.5% silver content or higher. The 7.5% remainder consists of copper and germanium element. Germanium makes the alloy harder and resistant to tarnish.

It is important to note that non-tarnish alloys can tarnish after extended periods and extreme conditions. However, they will generally require less maintenance than sterling silver. The quality stamp will also indicate .925, but some manufacturers can get authorisation to use the mark Argentium(r). The Argentium(r) is rarely stamped onto silver pieces.

Green Heart Necklace Sterling Silver Pendant

Coin Silver

The name "coin silver" is a bit confusing. Today, coins are made from less precious metals. Monetary coins in the United Kingdom contain cupro-nickel, an alloy of copper and nickel. However, collectable coins or coin investments have higher silver content. Silver coins before were 50% silver or .500 silver. Coin silver jewellery will bear a quality stamp of .500, and many of these pieces are antiques.

Silver-filled

Silver-filled is a layered metal that is not an alloy because the metal content is not consistent throughout the material. Instead, the sterling silver remains on the surface. Silver filled has a low silver content with 5% or 10% sterling silver with a brass core. Often these pieces are not stamped with any quality hallmarks.

Silver Plated

Silver-plated jewellery has a skinny plating layer of silver on the surface. Silver plate jewellery has a small percentage of overall silver content, similar to silver-filled. It is considered affordable costume jewellery and can tarnish and wear off to expose the base metal. These do not have a quality stamp, but manufacturers' logos or hallmarks are common.

Nickel Silver

Nickel silver primarily consists of copper with nickel, zinc or a combination. These pieces are inexpensive, but it contains no real silver at all. It is used in costume jewellery, and manufacturers should disclose nickel concentration as many people are allergic to nickel.

Double Heart Earrings 925 Sterling Silver Stud Earrings

Tribal Silver

Tribal silver, also known as Tibetan silver, are base metal alloys that are silver only in appearance. Much of the items have limited to no silver content. These imports can contain dangerous metals such as lead. Buyer beware.

Silver

Jewellery marked as "silver" is a bit of a mystery and is used loosely as a colour descriptor, especially in fashion. Always be cautious of vendors calling their items "silver jewellery."

Why is sterling silver good for jewellery?

We love sterling silver jewellery. Let us tell you why:

• Sterling silver jewellery is long-lasting and durable.
• 925 silver jewellery is always in style no matter the time of year.
• Where gold is costly and valuable, silver is more reasonably priced and affordable.
• Sterling silver jewellery makes excellent gift choices. People of all ages love pretty silver jewellery. It can be a pendant, a ring, earrings, a bracelet or a necklace.
• Sterling silver is hypoallergenic, so it is excellent for people who suffer from skin irritation and have allergic reactions to metal. Fake and metallic jewellery causes rashes and itching on the skin.
• It is easy to mix with other metals such as rose or white gold jewellery.

Galaxy Necklace 925 sterling silver pearl pendant

How to care for your sterling silver jewellery

Get your sterling silver pieces to last longer with these few simple precautions:

• Ensure it is worn regularly;
• Store it in a dark place away from air and water exposure;
• Clean your silver items with anti-tarnish liquids and soft polishing cloth;
• Avoid chlorinated water or exposing it to harsh chemicals.

Start Your Silver Jewellery Collection Today

Pearl Jewellery Set Heart Necklace & Heart Earrings Silver Pendant

All that is beautiful isn't gold. Enjoy high-quality, versatile and sterling silver prices! Remember, this precious metal is a must in your jewellery collection.

Dephini uses the highest-quality, real sterling silver jewellery in our necklace, pendants and ring design. And, we stunning gold jewellery pieces that will make you smile.

Dephini's stunning sterling lister heart inspired collection uses the finest Italian 925 sterling silver. Our necklace designs feature CZ crystal along with the heart pendant. It is accompanied by an elegant and delicate sterling silver chain.

Are you interested in learning more about 925 Jewelry? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!