The number engraved on your jewellery
If you have a silver piece at home and look closely — inside a ring, on a necklace clasp, on earring hinges — you will probably see a small number: 925. It is not a manufacturer code. It is the purity of the metal, expressed in parts per thousand.
What does 925 mean?
925 means that out of every 1,000 parts of the alloy, 925 are pure silver and the other 75 are another metal — usually copper. In other words, the piece is 92.5% silver. That is the definition of sterling silver.
Why not use pure silver?
Pure silver is too soft. A piece in 999 silver would deform with daily use and scratch easily. By adding copper, silver gains hardness and resistance without losing its shine.
Other marks you might find
999 (pure silver), 950 (95% silver), 900 (90%), 800 (80% — not considered sterling in many countries).
How to tell if your jewellery is real silver
Look for the 925 mark. If it is not there, it may be silver-plated, nickel silver (no actual silver) or imitation. Another home test: use a magnet. Silver is not magnetic.
