How to Identify Real Sterling Silver Jewellery
Sterling silver jewellery, or 925 sterling silver jewellery, has captivated humans for a long time, and its popularity only continues to rise. People tend to purchase sterling silver jewellery from multiple places, including online stores, offline stores, and showrooms. Still, a lot of you are not aware whether you are taking the real jewellery home or not. This article seems to broaden your knowledge with respect to identifying the actual sterling silver jewellery. Let’s get into it!
Marking & Stamp
The first and foremost step is to check for a 925 or 92.5% silver marking. The marking indicates that the jewellery is real and consists of 92.5% pure silver, while the remaining 7.5% is generally copper. You can easily spot a marking on the inside area of the rings and the back or near the clasp in case of other pieces of jewellery. However, if you don’t spot the stamp on these areas, please continue to look for it.
Purity Tests
There are several purity tests when it comes to identifying real sterling silver, and some of the most popular ones are:
The Sound Test
Gently tap the sterling silver jewellery with a coin or your finger and pay attention to the sound it produces. In case you hear a high-pitch bell-like sound lasting for about 1-2 seconds, it is real sterling silver. On the contrary, an absence of sound indicates fake metal.
The Sniff Test
Silver does not have a smell of its own. In case the sterling silver piece is lying around a smelly area, wipe it dry and bring it close to the nose. If the metal smells for a few seconds, you are likely holding something made of other metal than sterling silver.
The Bend Test
This is generally used to test sterling silver plates, necklaces, or bracelets. Use your hand to bend or fix the article gently, and if you are successful, it will be made from sterling silver or pure silver. The unsuccessful experiment states otherwise.
The Magnet Test
Just like platinum and gold, silver does not contain iron, which means it is non-magnetic. For this test, all you need to do is bring the jewellery or item closer to a strong magnet and in case it is not attracted, you are holding genuine sterling silver. On the contrary, if the item attracts, it is most likely made from high-quality polished stainless steel.
The Rub Test
Silver oxidizes when exposed to air, which causes the colour to deteriorate. Take a soft, white, and clean cloth and rub it over a small area of the silver item; in case you have traces of black residue, the sterling silver item you are holding is real.
The Ice Test
Silver is a good conductor of heat. So, you test it using ice cubes. Take two ice cubes and place the sterling silver/silver item on one; if the ice cube you have the item on melts more quickly than the other, the item is of real sterling silver/silver. Another way of doing it is to put the silver article under the ice cube, and if the puddle forms immediately, it is genuine.
Seek Professional Help
A lot of vendors who deal with jewellery or utensils know how to test the authenticity of sterling silver jewellery. If you are unable to conduct the experiments mentioned above properly, take the item to professionals. They are trained and know various methods to identify whether your item is real or not. You can also ask them to do a nitric acid test or send the item to the laboratory for accurate results.
Wrapping Up
When you are out on a sterling silver shopping spree or are uncertain about the authenticity of your sterling silver item, don’t just fall for the sterling silver price. Instead, use any one of these to identify the real item and rest assured. Happy shopping!
The product information mentioned in this article is both accurate and up-to-date, some information may be subject to change.