How to Tell if Sterling Silver Jewelry Is Worth Buying

As the premier affordable luxury metal, sterling silver dominates the everyday-wear jewelry market. It’s also widely misrepresented, so there’s quite a bit of information worth knowing about sterling silver before making a purchase. This is the difference between choosing a quality piece and one that will tarnish in a few weeks. This guide tells you everything you need to know, including where sterling silver comes from, what it is, how to tell if it’s real, and if it’s worth buying. Let’s get into it.

 

Where Does Silver Come From?

Silver is naturally formed by the earth through hot, mineral-rich fluid activity and volcanic processes, and is produced in Mexico, China, Peru, Poland, and the United States, with Mexico being the world’s top supplier. It is rarely found in its purest state, and about 70% of silver in the world is produced as a byproduct of mining for other metals like lead, copper, and zinc. While the earliest known use of silver dates back to 3000 to 4000 BCE, pure silver has always been too soft to wear on its own. Over time, sterling silver was developed in medieval Europe as a practical alloy to make pure silver durable.

What Is Sterling Silver? What Is 925?

Because pure silver (often referred to as 999) alone can be easily scratched, bent, and damaged, sterling silver is made by blending 92.5% pure silver with 7.5% copper for added strength. 925 is the hallmark stamped on real sterling silver, which indicates that it is blended with copper. While copper is the most common alloying metal, sometimes silversmiths also use zinc, nickel, germanium, or platinum. While plain sterling silver can tarnish over time, GLD uses a proven method for 925 silver, electroplating it with a thick white rhodium finish and protective coating to prevent tarnishing, make it hypoallergenic, and give it a platinum-like shine that is backed for life. Browse GLD’s sterling silver collection, which features premium chains, pendants, rings, bracelets, and earrings. For a closer look at specific chains, read GLD’s Silver Cuban Link Chains Buyer Guide and Silver Rope Chain Jewelry Guide.

How to Tell if Sterling Silver Is Real

Oftentimes, people get fooled and scammed when it comes to sterling silver, especially online. Scammers typically sell cheap base metals like nickel or brass and plate them with a thin layer of silver and add a 925 stamp to pass it off as the real thing. Even the most experienced buyers and dealers fall victim to these scams, but luckily there are several ways to tell if your sterling silver is real right at home:

• The magnet test: Precious metals like sterling silver are not magnetic. If a piece sticks to a magnet, that signifies it contains iron or steel. The spring in a silver clasp, however, may possibly be attracted to a magnet, but the rest of the piece should not.

• The ice test: Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any metal, so if you place an ice cube directly over the silver it should melt quickly. If it’s real, the ice should melt considerably faster than it would be on a non-silver piece of jewelry.

• The smell test: Real sterling silver is completely odorless. Rub the jewelry between your fingers to warm up the metal and smell it immediately after. If it smells metallic, like sulfur, or “coppery,” that may indicate that the piece contains other metals.

• The polish test: If you gently rub a piece of sterling silver using a soft, clean white polishing cloth, the cloth should pick up black or dark blue residue. This happens because real silver naturally oxidizes and tarnishes when exposed to air.

• The sound test: Try gently tapping the metal against a coin or another piece of silver, and if it's authentic, it should produce a clear, high-pitched ringing sound that resembles a bell. If it is not real, it will produce a dull, flat sound.

• Look for the 925 hallmark: “925” should be stamped on the piece and is typically on the inside of a ring band, on the clasp of a chain, or on the back of a pendant. While the 925 stamp is the most reliable way to verify sterling silver when buying from an unfamiliar source, GLD takes a different approach. Instead, the material details are stated explicitly on every product page: 925 sterling silver, electroplated with a white rhodium finish and backed by a Lifetime Guarantee.

What Makes a Sterling Silver Chain Worth Buying?

The quality is what makes buying a sterling silver chain worth it. Specifically, the hallmark, the finish, the construction, the weight, and the clasp. Here’s a breakdown of the five things to look for:

• The finish: GLD’s rhodium plating prevents tarnishing and adds durability. GLD's sterling silver is electroplated with white rhodium for a platinum-like shine.

• The construction: Pay close attention to the links to ensure they are uniform and lie flat against the skin without twisting, kinking, or showing visible gaps at the closure points. Well-constructed chains include these details to ensure long-term wearability.

• The weight: Quality silver chains have noticeable weight. Hollow or lightweight chains are generally less durable and more likely to break easily.

• The clasp: Look for lobster clasps, which are more secure and durable. GLD also invented, designed, and patented the fold-over box clasp to provide a clasp that can hold the weight of heavier chains and be durable enough to last a lifetime.

• The hallmark: The 925 stamp is the most reliable way to verify sterling silver when buying from a source that’s unfamiliar. GLD’s proven method for 925 silver includes electroplating it with a thick white rhodium finish and protective coating to prevent tarnishing, make it hypoallergenic, and give it a platinum-like shine that is backed for life.

 

Solid Sterling Silver Chain vs Silver-Plated: What’s the Difference?

Ultimately, when it comes to silver jewelry, there's a lot of ambiguity. There’s a significant difference between silver-plated, sterling silver, vermeil, and what GLD offers, and this all comes down to what is actually inside the piece, how it’s constructed, and how durable it is. It’s easy to be misled, so it’s best to be informed. Here’s a detailed breakdown of GLD’s sterling silver, solid sterling silver, vermeil, and the common silver plating.


Sterling Silver vs. Silver-Plated vs. Vermeil: A Complete Comparison

Is Sterling Silver Worth Buying? GLD's Verdict

Sterling silver is worth buying when the piece is solid 925 sterling silver with a quality rhodium finish from brands that are transparent about their materials and processes. It is not worth buying when it is silver-plated or unmarked from a brand that doesn’t inform you about what’s inside the piece. GLD recommends 925 sterling silver that is electroplated with white rhodium to ensure it’s durable, hypoallergenic, and designed to make you shine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you tell if sterling silver is real?
There are six ways to test sterling silver at home: the magnet test, the ice test, the smell test, the polish test, the sound test, and looking for the 925 hallmark. Real sterling silver is not magnetic, is completely odorless, and should produce a clear high-pitched ringing sound when tapped against a coin.

What does 925 mean on sterling silver?
925 is the hallmark stamped on real sterling silver, indicating the metal is 92.5% pure silver blended with 7.5% copper for added strength. While copper is the most common alloying metal, silversmiths sometimes also use zinc, nickel, germanium, or platinum.

Where does silver come from?
Silver is naturally formed by the earth through hot, mineral-rich fluid activity and volcanic processes, with Mexico being the world's top supplier. About 70% of the world's silver is produced as a byproduct of mining for other metals like lead, copper, and zinc.

Does sterling silver tarnish?
Yes, plain sterling silver is prone to tarnishing over time. GLD electroplates 925 silver with a thick white rhodium finish to prevent tarnishing, make it hypoallergenic, and give it a platinum-like shine backed for life.

What is the difference between sterling silver and silver plated?
Solid sterling silver is 92.5% silver throughout the entire piece, while silver plated jewelry is a base metal with a thin silver coating that wears off over time. GLD's sterling silver is solid 925 silver, not silver plated.

Is sterling silver worth buying?
Sterling silver is worth buying when the piece is solid 925 sterling silver with a quality rhodium finish from a brand that is transparent about their materials and processes. It is not worth buying when it is silver plated or unmarked.

Is sterling silver hypoallergenic?
Sterling silver at 925 purity is mostly hypoallergenic, but can still cause reactions depending on the alloying metals used. GLD's sterling silver is electroplated with a white rhodium finish specifically to make it hypoallergenic.

What should I look for when buying a sterling silver chain?
Look for five things: a rhodium finish, uniform link construction, noticeable weight, the 925 hallmark, and a secure clasp. GLD also invented and patented the fold-over box clasp for chains that need to hold more weight.

John Polanco

John Polanco is a copywriter from the birthplace of hip-hop whose work spans jewelry, fashion, beauty, music, world-leading brands, and art institutions shaping the diaspora.