How Much is a 925 Silver Worth? Testing for Authenticity

If you’re considering buying sterling silver jewelry, you will no doubt want to know the worth and difference between pure silver and 925 sterling silver. Well, this article is more about how much is 925 Silver Ring worth?

How Much is a 925 Silver Worth? Testing for Authenticity

Sterling silver is a silver alloy containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% of another metal, usually copper. Sterling silver is commonly used for making fine jewelry.

What Items Are Made with 925 Silver?

Sterling silver is found in many common items you probably have lying around your house, including:

  • Tableware: serving trays, cutlery, napkin rings, and table decor
  • Office supplies: paper clips, mechanical pencils, and letter openers
  • Salon supplies: mirrors, brushes, manicure supplies, and hair clips
  • Jewelry: necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets
  • Musical instruments: flutes and saxophones
  • Medical supplies: surgical instruments

Is 925 Sterling Silver Worth Anything?

Yes, but only if we are talking about the real thing. Sterling silver, 92.5% pure silver is quite valuable. With pure silver regarded as one of the precious metals from Mother Earth, owning real sterling silver is quite something.

The catch, however, is that sterling silver is not cheap which means that if someone sells to you a sterling silver ring or necklace that’s supposedly stamped with the S925 or 925 mark cheaply, you might want to run for the hills.

If you buy a genuine piece of sterling silver jewelry, then you have in your hands a very worthy investment, whose value increases with time.

Unfortunately, most of us have been duped by supposed genuine sellers of sterling silver jewelry which means that the pieces you have kept so well are not worth anything.

Your silver jewelry is only worth something if it’s genuine.

Silver-plated jewelry doesn’t count either because of the low silver content, and also the fact that the silver chips with time, leaving you with nothing.

So, while sterling silver costs less than gold jewelry, real sterling silver is still expensive.

Testing for Authenticity

Sterling Silver

Rub the jewelry using a soft white cloth

If you find any black marks on the cloth, then you can be sure that it is made of real sterling silver. This is because any air exposure causes real sterling silver to oxidize.

This causes them to deteriorate with time, and the reason why black marks are found on the cloth they are polished with.

Use the Smell Test

Real sterling silver shouldn’t smell. If it does, it is because there is too much copper in it.

Use the Magnet Test

This is a simple test. Magnets have no effect on silver – just as they have no effect on gold or platinum. But if you find that the jewelry is attracted to the magnet, then it will be clear to you that it is not made of real sterling silver.

Real sterling silver jewelry will have markings such as “Ster,” “925” or “Sterling Silver” in a hidden area.

If you don’t see such a marking, be wary of it immediately.

Do The Nitric Acid Test

When drops of nitric acid are added to fake non-silver jewelries, they cause them to lose their color. Always ask a jeweler before buying 925 sterling silver from him if you can conduct the nitric acid test on it.

Nitric Acid Test

Nitric acid has no effect on real s925 sterling silver, so if the jeweler is selling you a genuine product, he won’t have any objection to that. But be sure to wear gloves and protect your eyes with goggles while doing the nitric acid test.

If the jewelry is made of real sterling silver, the part on which you drop the nitric acid will appear creamy in color, otherwise, if fake, it will appear green.

Read Also: How to Test Gold at Home to See if It’s Fake or Real Using Simple Steps

Caring for 925 Silver

Silver itself is fairly durable and resistant to tarnishing. Unlike copper, it won’t turn green over time. The only chemical that silver readily reacts to is sulfur, which is present in the air as a byproduct of many industrial processes, such as burning fossil fuel.

Since sterling silver contains another metal, such as copper, it can also show signs of tarnish because of the other substance that makes up the alloy.

Follow these tips to keep your sterling silver looking beautiful:

  • Store your sterling silver jewelry in clean, dry, airtight containers. Make sure they are stored separately so that they don’t rub together. Never leave 925 silver jewelry sitting out, especially in high-moisture areas.
  • Polishing the pieces with a dry, soft cloth will help them maintain their shine. Don’t worry about the black marks that appear on the cloth; it’s completely normal with frequent use.
  • Don’t wear sterling silver jewelry in the shower or while swimming, and be sure to dry any sterling silver dishes or other objects immediately after washing them.
  • Avoid getting chemicals on the sterling silver, including hair products, cosmetics, or cleaning agents.

Benefits of Sterling Silver

  • It’s very versatile, and you can wear a silver piece of jewelry with just about anything from formal wear to a t-shirt and jeans.
  • It’s popular and affordable
  • Hypoallergenic if it’s free of nickel
  • It’s durable

Disadvantages of Sterling Silver

  • There’s a lot of misleading information about the genuineness of sterling silver pieces, and most of the available pieces are silver-plated
  • Some are non-hypoallergenic
  • It tarnishes easily

Final Say

Sterling Silver

Whether you’re in the market for a new piece of jewelry or looking to sell the scrap you’ve been holding on to for a few years, the information provided above should give you what you need to know about sterling silver and allowed you to make an educated buying or selling decision.

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