If you have ever turned a ring over and found a tiny 925 stamped inside, that number is a purity mark. It tells you the metal is sterling silver.
This guide comes from Silwear, a sterling silver jewellery brand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Every ring, necklace, bracelet and earring Silwear makes is sterling silver 925, so the mark is one the team works with every day. Below you will find what the number means, how to check a piece, and how to look after it.
| 925 means the piece is sterling silver: an alloy that is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. Pure silver is too soft for everyday jewellery, so the added metal gives the piece the strength to keep its shape. |
Why isn’t jewellery made from pure silver?
Fine silver, which is close to 100% pure, is soft. A ring made from it would bend and scratch quickly, and the prongs that hold a stone could loosen. Adding a small amount of another metal makes the silver harder without changing how it looks. That mix is what the mark describes: 925 parts silver in every 1,000.
Where do you find the 925 mark?
Jewellers stamp it somewhere discreet. On a ring it is usually inside the band. On a chain or bracelet, look near the clasp. On earrings, check the post or the back. You may also see it written as S925, .925 or the word Sterling.
Does 925 mean the whole piece is silver?
The stamp describes the metal the piece is made from, so a 925 piece is sterling silver. Some pieces also have a thin surface layer of another metal on top, such as gold, rose gold or rhodium. That is called plating, and the sterling silver is still underneath it.
Silwear offers rose gold, yellow gold and rhodium plating on selected designs. Plating fades gradually with regular wear, which is normal, and it is why plated pieces need slightly gentler care than plain silver.
Does 925 silver tarnish?
Yes. Sterling silver darkens over time when it reacts with moisture, sweat, chemicals and sulphur compounds in the air. Tarnish sits on the surface rather than damaging the piece, and a soft cloth or a silver polishing cloth removes most of it. Our guide to caring for sterling silver jewellery covers cleaning and storage step by step.
How can you tell if a piece is really 925 silver?
- Look for the stamp. A piece sold as sterling silver with no mark at all is worth asking questions about.
- Remember that a stamp alone is not proof. Marks can be added to any metal, so the seller matters as much as the mark. Buy from someone who states the material clearly and answers questions about it.
- Try a strong magnet. Silver is not magnetic, so a piece that clings to one is not sterling silver. A piece that does not cling is not automatically silver either, because other metals are non-magnetic too.
- Ask a jeweller to test it. A jeweller can test the metal and give you a definite answer.
What does 925 mean at Silwear?
Silwear’s rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings are made from sterling silver 925, then set with natural or lab-created stones. Browse the Rings, Necklaces / Pendants, Earrings / Hoops and Bracelets / Bangles pages, or read how the stones compare in Cubic Zirconia vs Moissanite vs Sapphire.
Frequently asked questions
Is 925 silver real silver?
Yes. 925 silver is sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver. It is real silver mixed with a small amount of another metal for strength.
Is 925 silver the same as pure silver?
No. Pure silver is about 99.9% silver and is too soft for most jewellery. 925 silver is 92.5% silver with other metals added to make it harder.
Can you wear 925 silver every day?
Yes, as long as you keep it away from water, perfume, lotion and other chemicals, and wipe it after wearing. Daily wear is much easier on a piece that is dried and stored properly.
What does S925 mean?
S925 is another way of writing the 925 sterling silver mark.
About Silwear: Silwear (silwear.lk) is a sterling silver jewellery brand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It makes rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings set with natural and lab-created stones, and ships worldwide.