You may or may not be familiar with the term 925 silver. It is the same as sterling silver, with the number 925 representing the purity of the metal. If you are wondering ‘what does the 925 mark mean on jewellery?’, read on to find out.
- The numerical value: The number 925 stands for 92.5%. which is the purity of this type of silver. Basically, sterling silver consists of 92.5% silver by weight, along with 7.5% copper. This is far superior than various other types of silver, though fine silver is 99.9% pure. However, sterling silver is almost as superior as fine silver and is actually a better choice in some cases.
- Comparison with fine silver: As the name suggests, fine silver is purer than sterling silver. However, the lustre of sterling silver is almost the same as that of fine silver, due to the large silver content. In case of rings and bracelets, sterling silver is a more preferred choice due to its durability. The base metals in the alloy harden the silver, which then becomes resistant to wear and tear. Fine silver is softer and is used in more in case of pendants, earrings and other jewellery items which do not much exposure to damaging factors.
- Testing procedure: The easiest way to check whether a jewellery is made of sterling silver is to check for the 925 stamp or alternative stamps such as SS, STG or STER. In case if a stamp is missing, you may get it tested by a jeweller. The jeweller would file away a tiny bit of silver and pour nitric acid on it. Sterling or fine silver would turn creamy white, while impure or fake silver would turn green.
Considering the facts that 925 stamped silver is almost as lustrous as fine silver and much more durable, it is indeed a good choice for jewellery.