How To Test If The Sterling Silver Jewelry You Have Is Real

By Eliza Mendoza


The 925 Ag is a metal used to make various types of ornaments. Due to its soft nature, it is mixed with other metals like copper and nickel to make it strong and durable as well as improve its look. Therefore, for sterling silver jewelry to qualify to be real it should contain 92.5 percent pure Ag and only 7.5 percent non-Ag metals.

You can find ornaments that come with genuine layer of Ag overlying another metal. This is known as Ag plating, however, this cannot be measured as 925 Ag. This is because the plated metal is prone to wear and tear which with time reveals the underlying metal. The market provides lot of silver ornaments. The important thing is to know how to identify the genuine ones. Provided here are some useful tips in finding the real items.

The first tactic that can be used is using a magnet on the 925 Ag products. A magnet will be quite using in identifying what to go for. This is because real silver products cannot be attracted by a magnet. Products made of stainless steel are easily attracted by the magnet. Therefore, you should think twice if the product is attracted by a magnet.

There are some marking that you can identify on genuine 925 Ag products which are found on the underside or on the clasp. The markings to look out for include the following S925, 925 and . 925. These markings are a must find on genuine products since they are engraved when the metal is being crafted. A fake product will not have the markings.

One can use a white soft clothing to rub the ornament. If you notice some black marks on the cloth then the ornament is real 925 Ag. This is because real 925 Ag has a characteristic of oxidizing when exposed to air. So it tarnishes with time and develops the black marks when being polished. If your ornament is platinum plated then this test may not apply.

Another method that can be used is melting. One thing that you should look out for when melting 925 AG is smell. A genuine Ag metal will not develop any smell. If you notice either a brass or copper order, then this is a good indicator that the metal is not genuine. Another guiding factor is the cost. A real Ag ornament comes at a cost. You should think twice especially if your seller offers the ornament at a quite attractive price.

Chemical test using nitric acid can be used in the identification process. Poor quality Ag alloys or those which are Ag plated will turn green upon nitric application. Turning green indicates high presence of copper. However, for those which are genuine they will turn cream. When handling this chemical, you should be careful since it is corrosive.

The good news is that you can avoid all the hassles involved when searching for genuine sterling silver jewelry. You should simply go for a highly reputable seller. The good thing about reputable sellers is that they offer quality products. This will help in eliminating all the doubts about the authenticity of the product.




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