What is 925 and S925?

925 refers to the blend of 92.5% silver and 7.5% of one or more alloy metals, most often copper. This variant tends to be the most popular due to its durability and ability to work well for sensitive skin. 

Pure silver is a very soft material, being so delicate it can easily bend or break without the blending of another stronger metal. The blending can also help to brighten the appearance of the product.

Silver strongly reacts to chemicals and environmental factors, including humidity and natural skin oils. Pure silver can drastically darken when exposed to these factors, however with an alloy blend there is still the possibility that the jewelry can turn your fingers green. When the silver begins to become tarnished, changes colour slightly, it can easily be polished back to its original state. 

There is still fraud in the 925 market, so we thought it would be helpful to highlight what you can look out for so you know when you have bought the good stuff.

Things to look out for...

The Stamp

All most all sterling silver items have a stamp that tells the buyer that the product is the real thing. The engraved stamp either shows '925', 'S925' or 'Ster.' The stamp is often hidden in an inconspicuous place, like the inner band of a ring or the back of an earring. 

Something to be wary of is that 'S925' can also refer to Chinese Silver, which is a nickel or copper material with a silver coating. The same stamp can also indicate the item is Scandinavian Silver, with is pure 92.5% silver. Legitimate stamps are easily visible, clean cut and have a professional finish. 

Look and Feel

When feeling the jewelry, it should feel a little cold but warm up when you continue to press on the surface. It should also feel pretty sold, with a good weight.

Fake silver tends to be quite light and very smooth, indicators that the jewelry could be hollow.

Colour Testing

When exposed to heat or other chemicals, fake silver can turn to an orange or green colour, as well as becoming rough and dry on the surface, showing that the silver colour was simply just a top layer covering the base metal. When this green copper colour appears it cannot be polished off. 

The same cannot be said for genuine silver. When exposed to air or worn for a while, 925 silver can turn to a darker or blackish colour that only simply need to be polished in order for it to return to it's natural colour. 

Smell Testing

925 silver jewelry should have no odor. If you notice a brassy or metallic smell from your jewelry, it is most likely a fake or is of lower quality than you initially believed it to be.

Rub Testing

Using a soft, white cloth, rub your piece to check the surface. Black marks on the cloth indicates genuine sterling silver. The reason for this is linked to the oxidization process that silver goes through when exposed to air and it's environment, causing a tarnish to be left on the cloth. 

 

 

At halfway there.. we aim to sell mostly 925 and S925 silver jewelry that is specially sourced from well-trusted wholesalers. Occasionally we do come across styles that aren't consistent with being 925, but we love to style so much we feel we should share it with you anyway. If this is the case, we will ensure to enclose the material used for the item. 

Check out our beautiful jewelry and accessory collections here.