Buying silver jewelry online is easy. Knowing whether it is real silver is harder. This guide explains what the 925 stamp means and six simple checks you can do at home.
What does 925 mean on jewelry?
925 is the mark for sterling silver. It means the metal is 92.5% pure silver. The other 7.5% is usually copper, added because pure silver is too soft to hold a shape or a gemstone securely. You may also see the stamp written as 92.5, .925, STER or Sterling.
Sterling silver is not the same as silver-plated jewelry. Plated pieces are base metal (often brass or copper) with a thin silver coating that wears off over time. Solid sterling silver is silver all the way through.
Six ways to tell if silver is real
1. Look for the hallmark
Check the inside of a ring band, the back of a pendant or the clasp of a chain for a 925, 92.5 or Sterling stamp. A stamp is a good sign, but it is not proof on its own, so use one of the checks below as well.
2. The magnet test
Silver is not magnetic. Hold a strong magnet next to the piece. If it sticks firmly, the piece is not solid silver. (Clasps and springs sometimes contain steel, so test the main body of the jewelry.)
3. The ice test
Silver conducts heat very well. Place an ice cube on the piece: on real silver it starts melting noticeably faster than on most other metals.
4. The white cloth test
Rub the piece gently with a soft white cloth. Real silver oxidises in air, so older pieces often leave faint black marks on the cloth.
5. Check the price and the seller
Silver is a precious metal. If a large, heavy "silver" piece is priced like costume jewelry, it is probably plated. Buy from sellers who state the metal clearly in the product title and description.
6. Ask a jeweler for an acid test
For valuable pieces, a jeweler can do a quick acid or electronic test that confirms the silver content.
How we label silver at Zeus Kicks
Every product with 925 or 92.5 in its title is real, solid 925 sterling silver. These pieces are nickel-free and hypoallergenic, and come with our lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. Pieces without 925 in the title are fashion jewelry made from other metals.
Browse our 925 sterling silver jewelry, or shop by stone: moonstone, turquoise, amethyst and labradorite.