How to Tell if Your Jewellery is Real Sterling Silver | Authentic Silver Guide

Sterling Silver: The Basics

Before diving into testing methods, let's understand what we're looking for. Sterling silver is an alloy containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper). This specific composition gives sterling silver its durability while maintaining silver's beautiful lustre.

Pure silver (99.9% silver) is actually too soft for everyday jewellery, which is why the sterling standard has been used for centuries. When shopping for items like bracelets or necklaces, understanding this composition helps you know what you're paying for.

The Hallmark: Your First and Best Clue

The most reliable way to identify sterling silver is through its hallmark – a tiny stamp that indicates metal content and often the manufacturer or country of origin.

Common Sterling Silver Hallmarks:

• 925 or .925: The most common hallmark, indicating 92.5% silver content
• Sterling: The word "Sterling" or "STER" stamped into the metal
• Silver or Sterling Silver: Sometimes spelled out completely
• Lion Passant: A walking lion, which is the British hallmark for sterling silver
• Maker's Mark: Often appears alongside the silver content mark

Where to look? Check clasps on necklaces, inside bands of rings, on the posts or backs of earrings, or on the inside of bracelets. You might need a magnifying glass, as these marks are typically quite small.

Important note: While hallmarks are reliable indicators, they can be faked. That's why combining hallmark verification with other tests is the best approach.

The Magnet Test: Quick and Simple

One of the easiest tests you can perform at home is the magnet test:

1. Get a strong magnet (neodymium magnets work best)
2. Hold it close to your silver item
3. Observe what happens

Result: Sterling silver is not magnetic. If your jewellery strongly attracts to the magnet, it's likely not sterling silver. However, be aware that some counterfeit items use non-magnetic metals, so passing this test doesn't guarantee authenticity.

Also note that if your silver piece has steel components (like in some clasps or pins), those parts will attract to the magnet even if the rest is genuine silver.

The Ice Test: Using Silver's Thermal Properties

Silver is one of the best thermal conductors among metals, which makes this test particularly useful:

1. Take an ice cube from your freezer
2. Place it directly on your silver item
3. Watch what happens

Result: Genuine sterling silver will conduct cold extremely efficiently. The ice will begin to melt immediately as if placed on a warm surface, even if the silver feels cool to touch. With fake silver or silver-plated items, the ice melts much more slowly.

This test works best with solid pieces like bracelets or anklets rather than hollow items.

The Ring Test: Listen Carefully

Sterling silver produces a distinctive sound when struck, thanks to its molecular structure:

1. Hold your silver item suspended (hanging from your fingers or balanced on the edge of a table)
2. Gently tap it with another metal object or a wooden stick
3. Listen carefully to the sound it produces

Result: Genuine sterling silver produces a clear, high-pitched ringing sound that lasts for several seconds. Fake silver typically makes a dull, short thud or a much lower-pitched sound.

This test works best with larger items like bangles or solid necklaces. Small, delicate pieces might not produce enough sound for an accurate test.

Additional Home Testing Methods

The Acid Test (Silver Testing Kit)

For more definitive results, consider purchasing a silver acid testing kit:

1. Make a tiny scratch on an inconspicuous part of your item (or use an existing scratch)
2. Apply a drop of the testing acid to the scratch
3. Observe the color change

Result: The acid will change color based on silver content. For sterling silver, it typically turns a creamy red. Follow the specific instructions that come with your testing kit, as color indicators may vary.

The Odour Test

Sterling silver is odourless:

1. Rub the item vigorously between your hands to warm it
2. Smell it immediately

Result: Genuine silver should not have any distinct smell. If you detect a strong metallic or sulphuric odour, it likely contains significant amounts of other metals.

The Polish Test

Sterling silver tarnishes but also polishes beautifully:

1. If your item has some tarnish, polish a small area with a silver polishing cloth
2. Observe how easily the tarnish removes and the shine that results

Result: Genuine sterling silver polishes to a bright, warm lustre with relatively little effort. Silver-plated items may polish similarly but often reveal their base metal if over-polished.

When to Seek Professional Testing

While home tests are useful, there are times when professional verification is worth the investment:

• For high-value items or antiques
• When buying significant pieces like engagement rings
• For insurance purposes
• When home tests give conflicting results
• For items with gemstones that might be damaged by home testing methods

Professional jewellers have specialized equipment like XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analyzers that can determine exact metal composition without damaging the item.

Common Signs of Fake Sterling Silver

Beyond formal tests, watch for these red flags:

• Excessive shine: Sterling silver has a warm, white lustre. Overly bright, mirror-like finishes often indicate plated items.
• Weight discrepancy: Sterling silver has a specific weight – it feels substantial but not as heavy as lead. Too light or too heavy can indicate fakes.
• Price too good to be true: Genuine sterling silver has a minimum value based on its silver content. Suspiciously cheap "sterling silver" is a warning sign.
• Green or black skin marks: While sterling silver can sometimes leave slight marks due to its copper content, excessive green marks often indicate higher copper content than sterling should have.
• Unusual wear patterns: Plated items will show wear on raised areas or edges, revealing a different colored metal underneath.
• Magnetic components: Apart from specific findings (clasps, etc.), the silver parts should not be magnetic.

Tips for Buying Genuine Sterling Silver

To ensure you're getting the real thing when shopping for sterling silver jewellery:

• Buy from reputable sellers: Established jewellers and brands like Ella & Eve have reputations to protect and quality standards to maintain.
• Check return policies: Ensure you can return the item if professional testing reveals it's not as advertised.
• Ask for certification: For more expensive pieces, ask if they come with certificates of authenticity.
• Examine hallmarks: Before purchasing, ask to see the hallmarks with a loupe or magnifying glass.
• Compare pieces: If possible, compare the item with known genuine sterling silver to assess color, weight, and finish.

At Ella & Eve, all our sterling silver jewellery is genuinely hallmarked 925 silver, giving you confidence in your purchase. Plus, with our current Buy 1, Get 50% OFF your second piece offer, you can build your authentic silver collection for less!

Frequently Asked Questions About Sterling Silver

Does real sterling silver tarnish?

Yes, genuine sterling silver does tarnish over time. This is actually a sign of authenticity, not a flaw! The tarnish occurs when the silver reacts with sulphur in the air. Pure silver items tarnish more slowly than sterling silver due to the copper content in sterling, but all silver will eventually develop a patina unless regularly polished or specially treated.

Can sterling silver be attracted to a magnet?

Pure sterling silver is not magnetic. However, some sterling silver jewellery may contain parts that are magnetic, such as clasps or inner cores made with different metals. If the main body of your silver item is strongly attracted to a magnet, it's likely not genuine sterling silver.

What's the difference between silver-plated and sterling silver?

Sterling silver is solid silver alloy (92.5% silver) throughout the entire piece. Silver-plated items have only a thin layer of silver applied over a base metal (usually copper, brass, or nickel). Silver plating will wear away over time, revealing the base metal underneath, while sterling silver remains silver throughout its life, even as it wears.

Why does some sterling silver turn my skin green or black?

This reaction isn't necessarily a sign of fake silver. The copper in sterling silver can react with acids in your skin, particularly when you sweat, creating copper compounds that appear green or black. This varies greatly between individuals based on body chemistry and medications. Higher quality sterling silver with better finishing techniques, like those used in our bracelets and anklets, minimizes this effect.