How to tell real 925 sterling silver from plated metal
What 925 means, where to find the stamp, which home tests are worth doing and which are not, and why buying from a seller who shows the weight matters. From ARKH, Melbourne.
ARKH · 2 November 2026 · 4 min read
Silver looks the same whether it is sterling or something that only resembles it, so it is worth knowing how to check. We hallmark every piece we sell, because a mark struck into the metal is what turns a claim into something you can see. This guide is how to check any piece of silver sensibly, ours or anyone else’s, without a chemistry set.
What the numbers mean
Sterling silver is 925 parts silver in every 1,000, so 92.5%. The rest is usually copper. Fine silver, at 999, is softer and is more often seen in coins, bars and some ritual objects. You will see 925 on most silver jewellery. A lower number, like 800, means less silver.
Find the stamp
Look on the clasp, the inside of a ring, the back of a pendant or a small tag on the chain. You are looking for “925”, “STERLING” or “STER”. On plated pieces you may instead see “EP” or “plated”. Use a loupe or your phone camera zoomed in, because the marks are tiny. Be wary of a piece with no mark at all that is described as silver.
Tests worth doing, and tests that are not
- Worth doing, weight and feel. Silver is dense. A solid sterling piece feels heavier than a hollow or plated one of the same size.
- Worth doing, a magnet. Silver is not magnetic, so if a strong magnet pulls at the piece, it is not silver. The reverse does not hold: many metals are not magnetic, so passing this test proves very little.
- Worth doing, a polishing cloth. Rub it with a soft white cloth. Real silver tarnishes, and a black mark on the cloth is normal. It is not a sign of a fake.
- Not worth it, the ice test and the vinegar test. They are popular online and not reliable.
- Best, if the piece matters, a jeweller. A jeweller can test with acid or an XRF scanner in a few minutes, and many will do it for a small fee or free.
Why the seller matters more than any test
A stamp can be faked and a home test can be fooled. The most useful question is who is selling it to you.
Look for a seller who hallmarks, states the purity on the page, tells you what the piece weighs, says where it comes from and takes it back if it is not as described. Our family’s jewellery business in India, Akash Ganga Jewellers, has worked on this principle for more than twenty-five years. We hallmark every piece we sell, and the pieces in our Heritage range state their purity (999, 995 or 925) and weight on the page, rather than asking you to trust a photograph.
Questions people ask
Does 925 silver turn skin green?
Sometimes, on some people: the copper in sterling can react with skin and leave a faint mark, and it washes off. A green ring that appears within weeks is more often a base metal such as brass or copper under a thin silver-coloured coating that has worn through. If it happens to you, a hallmarked sterling piece is still the better bet.
Is tarnish a sign that silver is fake?
Not on its own. Real silver softens in colour over time, and a soft cloth brings the brightness back. Some silver is also plated or coated to resist tarnish, so tarnish alone proves little in either direction.
What is the difference between 925, 999 and 800?
The number is parts of silver in every 1,000. 925 is sterling, the standard for jewellery. 999 is fine silver, softer and used for coins, bars and some ritual pieces. 800 has less silver in it. We state the purity of every piece in our Heritage range on its page.
Does a hallmark prove a piece is real silver?
It is the strongest everyday sign, because the mark is struck into the metal. A mark on its own can be faked, so it counts most when the seller also states the purity and the weight, and stands behind both.
How should I clean silver?
A soft cloth is usually enough. Keep it dry, put it on after perfume rather than before, and take it off for swimming and cleaning.
If you are buying an animal pendant or a gift
Everything in our Everyday range is 925 sterling silver and hallmarked. If you are choosing a cat, a koala or a zodiac animal for someone, start at silver animal necklaces, or read our guide to choosing a silver cat necklace.
Silver you can check
925 sterling silver, hallmarked, in a glass bottle with its own card.
See the Everyday rangeKeep reading
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