Silver 925 (sterling silver) is not pure silver. This material is an alloy consisting of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. Most 925 silver items have a quality mark in the form of a stamp that is affixed in an inconspicuous place to indicate the degree of purity. This sign can be the number “0, 925”, “925”, “S925”, or sometimes “Sterling”. In addition to the quality mark, there is also a brand mark (in the form of the logo of the manufacturer of the object) that is affixed. If your silver item doesn't have quality markings on it, you can do a variety of self-tests at home or consult a professional. Unfortunately, some items marked “0.925” are not actually made of 925 silver so you should test if in doubt.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Performing a General Inspection on the Item to be Tested
Step 1. Look for the 925 silver quality marker
Precious metals are usually marked with a quality mark, which is a symbol or series of symbols that describe the type, level of purity, and authenticity of the item. If an item has a 925 silver grade mark, you should be able to find the manufacturer's stamp. In the United States, manufacturers are not required to affix quality markings to precious metals, but if manufacturers wish to do so, they MUST include the brand mark. The United States, France, and the United Kingdom have different systems for marking precious metals.
- Silver 925 in the United States is indicated by one of the following numbers: “925,” “0.925,” or “S925.” The number 925 indicates that the object contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals.
- Silver 925 produced in England has a lion stamp. In addition to this stamp, goods manufactured in the UK also have a city identifier, function, date code and sponsor. This type of marker varies greatly for each object.
- France currently uses Minerva heads to mark items made of 925 silver (with a silver content of 92.5% or lower) or vases (99.9% pure silver).
Step 2. Listen for a ringing sound like a bell
When 925 silver is gently tapped, you will hear a high chiming sound like a bell for 1 to 2 seconds. To perform the test, simply hit a 925 silver object gently with your finger or a metal coin. If the object is indeed made of 925 silver, the resulting sound will sound shrill. If you don't hear the sound, it's not 925 silver.
Be careful when hitting the object so it doesn't dent or scuff
Step 3. Kiss the object being tested
Silver 925 has no odor at all. Hold the object in front of your nose and sniff for a few seconds. If there is a strong smell, it most likely contains a large amount of copper and not 925 silver.
Copper is a metal that is commonly used as an alloy of silver 925, but silver 925 does not contain large amounts of copper so it has no odor at all
Step 4. Check the flexibility of the object
Silver is a soft material that bends easily. To find out the authenticity of a silver object, you can try bending it by hand. If you can do this easily, the item is likely made of pure sterling silver or 925 sterling silver.
If the object isn't bent, it's most likely not silver or 925 silver
Method 2 of 3: Testing the Authenticity of 925. Silver Items
Step 1. Perform an oxidation test
When silver is exposed to air, an oxidation process will occur. The oxidation of silver will lead to black stains and grime over time. To test for oxidation conditions, you will need a white cloth. Rub a white cloth over the entire surface of the object being tested, then observe the results.
- If there is a black stain, it is silver or 925 silver.
- If there are no black spots, the item is probably not made of 925 silver.
Step 2. Find out the magnetic properties of an object
Similar to gold and platinum, silver is a metal that does not contain iron – it is not magnetic. Hold the object under test close to a strong magnet. If the object is not attached to a magnet, the material is non-ferrous. To determine the type of non-ferrous metal contained in the object, you may need to perform some additional tests.
If the object is attached to a magnet, the material is not 925 silver. Most likely, it is made of stainless steel that has been finely polished to look like pure silver
Step 3. Perform the ice test
Silver has the highest thermal conductivity value of any metal – it absorbs heat quickly. You can use this information to determine the authenticity of a 925 silver object. There are two ways to perform an ice test.
- Place the object being tested on a flat surface. Place a piece of ice cube on it, then place a piece of ice cube on the test plane. If the object was indeed made of silver, the ice above it would melt faster than the ice above the test field.
- Put a few ice cubes in a bowl, then add the water. Dip a silver object in a bowl and a non-silver object in another bowl of iced water. A silver object will feel very cold to the touch after 10 seconds, while a non-silver object will not be as cold as a silver object when touched.
Method 3 of 3: Consult a Professional to Check Authenticity of Silver
Step 1. Perform an item appraisal
If your home test shows questionable results, you may need to contact a professional to determine if the silver, 925 sterling silver, or silver plated item is genuine. While there is a wide selection of professional services that you can use, some of them are better qualified than others. Use the services of professionals who are certified, experienced, and recommended by many people.
- Professional appraisers are highly trained and experienced. Most experienced appraisers are certified by the Professional Certification Institute (LSP). Their job is to check the quality and value of an item.
- Jewelers are usually trained and certified by the GIA (American Gemological Institute). They are skilled artists as well as experienced jewelry repair experts. Jewelers are also able to estimate the material value of an object.
Step 2. Ask a professional to do a nitric acid test
When nitric acid comes into contact with metal, it can indicate the authenticity of a mental state. A professional will scratch or scrape the surface of the object in an invisible area. After that, nitric acid will be applied to the scratched area. If it turns green, the object is not made of silver; if the color changes to the color of cream, the object is made of silver.
You can buy a kit and do a nitric acid test yourself at home. When using nitric acid, you need to be very careful. Wear protective glasses and gloves
Step 3. Send the test results to the laboratory for additional tests
If the item being tested requires additional testing, you can send it to a jeweler or metal testing laboratory. Ask for laboratory recommendations from the nearest jeweler or search for a trusted metal testing laboratory online. In the laboratory, scientists will perform a series of tests to determine the chemical composition of the object. These tests usually include:
- Fire test - melts a small sample of metal and performs a chemical test on the melt.
- Using an XRF gun. This tool will shoot x-rays at the object being tested to determine the level of purity.
- Mass-test spectrometry is performed to determine the molecular structure and chemical structure of an object.
- Specific gravity test – this test is carried out on the principle of water displacement.
