Let's be honest - almost anything nowadays can be faked. So how to tell if Silver is real? If you are unsure about a piece of "silver" jewellery that you intend to buy - you should read on... we will teach you how to spot the difference between real sterling silver jewellery and fake silver jewellery.
Silver is considered a noble metal because it resists corrosion and oxidation in ways that other elements don't.
Pure silver - it contains 99.9% silver, but is very soft and not hardwearing like Sterling Silver.
Sterling Silver - is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of other metals, usually copper. Silver jewelry marked with 925 is sterling silver jewelry that has been certified to contain 92.5% silver content. Sterling silver is harder than silver and is more suitable for jewelry making.
A beautiful pair of studs, sterling silver earrings or a classic ring can be shined to last a lifetime. Cheap costume jewelry needs constant replacement, why not rather invest in jewellery made with precious metal that's going to last? Spending less and more investing.
How to get the REAL deal when it comes to STERLING SILVER:
There are many ways to tell if the silver item you're purchasing or adorning is authentic. Ensure the quality of your silver item is up to par by using the following tips.
1. DOES IT HAVE A .925 STAMP?
That 92.5% we were talking about earlier... Reputable jewelers imprints sterling silver jewelry with the .925 stamp to let wearers know that it's authentic. Look closely on the butterflies of the earrings in the photo above... You may not have seen it, because the stamps are normally very small and discreet.
If your jewelry doesn't have a stamp? Keep reading...
2. DOES IT TARNISH? THIS IS A TRICK QUESTION...
If it does, that is not to say that it is a bad thing. If your sterling silver tarnishes it is actually a sign that it is authentic.
Fake silver will loose it's shine over time and the base metal might start showing through, making your skin green. No matter how hard you polish, the original shine will never return.
3. THE MAGNET TEST
If your jewelry is connecting to magnetic surfaces, it just isn't silver. Silver is not noticeably magnetic unlike its friends iron, nickel, cobalt, and the like.
4. LOOK, FEEL, SMELL...
Is the outside peeling? Color distorted? Layers of metal? All signs point to a fake piece of jewelry.
Feel: is it bumpy? Scratchy? Generally not smooth? It doesn't sound like geniune silver, then. Is it super sturdy? It could be a different element, as silver is soft and bendable, to a certain extent.
Does it smell weird? Like Sulphur? Then it's not silver. Silver doesn't smell.
Is sterling silver real? True quality can't be replicated.
Does it look real? Feel smooth? Shine brightly when you polish it? Maintain its original color? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you own a quality piece of jewelry that you can wear for a lifetime.
NOTHING FAKE ABOUT IT
