5 Tips How to buy Sterling Silver Jewelry

1. Look for the 925 Stamp

Sterling silver is defined as a metal-containing at least 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. ... that's why it is stamped 925. Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver sometimes stamped 999. which means it is super soft than sterling and can not be used for Jewelry. Silver Plated jewelry is made from plating of sterling silver over metals like brass, bronze, or copper, among other non-silver metals. These are called fake Jewelry.

2. The coloring Test

Sterling silver jewelry is, usually, not as shiny as the plated jewelry, which often is too bright. If the jewelry has some parts that you can see color differences, it’s highly likely that the jewelry you are looking at it is plated and not genuine silver.

3. The Magnet Test

Precious metals like Gold, Silver, and even copper, are non-magnetic.

This means that if you grabbed magnets and placed them on pieces made of sterling silver, it wouldn’t be drawn to the piece.

4. Polish Test

Sterling Silver gets naturally oxidized and tarnished when it’s exposed for some time. If you rub the jewelry using a white cloth and it leaves black residue on the cloth, the jewelry is likely made of genuine sterling silver. If there is no residue, the piece is not solid sterling silver.

5.The Ice Test

Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of other common metals and metal alloys, even at room temperature.

So, if it melts within seconds or minutes, it’s made of solid sterling silver, and if it doesn’t, then you’re dealing with a fake.