How to Verify 925 Sterling Silver — Authenticity Guide

The internet is full of "silver" that isn't. Here are six reliable methods to verify whether your jewelry is genuine 925 sterling silver — from simplest to most definitive.

Test 1: Check the Hallmark

Look for a stamp: "925", "S925", ".925", or "Sterling." It should be small, clean, and consistent. Fake jewelry often has poorly stamped or suspiciously large markings. Warning: A hallmark alone isn't proof — counterfeiters stamp fake silver too.

Test 2: The Magnet Test

Silver is not magnetic. Hold a strong magnet (neodymium works best) near your piece. If it sticks or is strongly attracted, it's not silver. Caveat: Passing the magnet test doesn't confirm silver — many non-silver metals are also non-magnetic.

Test 3: The Ice Test

Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any metal. Place an ice cube on your piece. If the ice melts noticeably faster than on a non-metallic surface, it's likely silver. This works best with flat surfaces like bracelets or rings.

Test 4: The Smell Test

Silver has no smell. If your jewelry has a metallic, copper, or brass odor, the silver content is likely low or the piece is plated.

Test 5: The Polish Test

Rub the piece with a white cloth. Real silver leaves faint black marks on the cloth (from natural oxidation). No marks at all? Might be silver-plated with a clear coat. Heavy black marks? The silver may be very old or a different alloy.

Test 6: Professional Acid Test (Definitive)

A jeweler can apply a drop of nitric acid to a small scratch on the piece. Real 925 silver turns a specific creamy color. This is the most reliable test but requires professional equipment.

Red Flags When Buying Online

• Price too good: A solid silver ring under $15 is almost certainly not real silver
• No hallmark photo: Legitimate sellers show the 925 stamp
• "Silver-tone" or "silver-colored": This means NOT silver
• Unusually light weight: Silver has density — it should feel substantial
• No tarnish ever: Real uncoated silver tarnishes naturally. If it never changes, it's plated or fake

STRUGA's Guarantee

Every STRUGA piece is stamped 925, handcrafted in our Bali workshop from verified 925 sterling silver. We don't use rhodium plating — our Living Silver philosophy means what you see is pure silver, naturally aging with character.