How to Tell If an Item Is Fake or Real Sterling Silver

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These markings and tests will tell you if something is sterling silver or not
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How do you figure out if something is silver, sterling silver, or something else entirely? Sterling silver is exceptionally valuable, so it’s smart to get to the bottom of whether jewelry, silverware, or an heirloom is authentic or not. We’re here to help you figure all of this out and more! We’ll break down what sterling silver is, show you what to look for when identifying sterling silver, and go over DIY tests you can do to perform an analysis. We’ll even show you where to take the item for more accurate findings, so read on for more info.

Things You Should Know

  • Hold a magnet up to the item in question. Real sterling silver is not magnetic.
  • Tap the sterling silver with a coin to see if it makes a high-pitched bell-ringing noise. If it does, it's real sterling silver.
  • Authentic sterling silver is odorless. After cleaning the item, it shouldn't smell like anything if it's real sterling silver.
  • Scrub the item with a white cloth. If black residue comes off from tarnish, it’s legitimate sterling silver.
Section 1 of 4:

What is sterling silver?

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  1. 100% pure silver is extremely soft and fragile, which makes it a bad choice if you want your jewelry or silverware to last more than a few weeks. By combining silver with a little bit of a harder metal (usually copper), you can retain the sheen and look of silver while ensuring that it holds up over time. [1]
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Section 2 of 4:

Stamps & Markings

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  1. In most parts of the world, including the US, genuine sterling silver will have a 3-digit stamp on it. On rings, it’ll be located on the inside of the band. On other jewelry, just look around the clasp or on the back of the item for a code. These numbers are the percentage of actual silver in the sterling silver. [2]
    • So, a “325” indicates that the item is 32.5% silver, “925” is 92.5% silver, and so on. On some items, they may include the decimal point.
    • See an eagle stamp next to the number? The sterling silver came from Mexico, which is actually the biggest exporter of sterling silver jewelry in the world.
  2. A “925” stamp indicates that the sterling silver is 92.5% silver (the other 7.5% is usually copper). A 92.5% purity level is considered the gold standard when it comes to sterling silver, since it’s just diluted enough to strengthen the item without diminishing the sheen and quality of the silver. [3]
  3. There’s an odd tradition in the United Kingdom of stamping sterling silver based on where and when it was made. This was particularly popular before 1970 (some modern jewelers have since adopted the US system). If you spot a stamped sigil, look online to see where it’s from. If the stamp lines up with the provenance (which is the story of where it’s from), it’s likely real. [4]
    • For example, an uncrowned leopard’s head means the piece was made in London from 1821-today. A castle means that it was made in Edinburgh.
    • Additional stamps may indicate authorship or date. An “AB” stamp could stand for A. Beardshaw & Co., for example.
    • Other countries may have their own unique stamp. France currently marks its sterling silver items with the head of Minerva (92.5% and below) or a vase (99.9% pure silver), for example.
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Section 3 of 4:

Purity Tests

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  1. When sterling silver is gently tapped with a piece of metal, it will produce a high-pitched bell-like tone that lasts for 1 to 2 seconds. To conduct this test, carefully tap the sterling silver item with a metal coin. If the item is truly sterling silver, it will generate a high-pitch ring. If you do not hear a ring, the item is unlikely to be sterling silver. [5]
    • It can help to do this by comparing the sound to a piece of authentic sterling silver. If you have a US quarter made before 1965, that’ll work! Those quarters are 90% silver (900).
  2. Silver does not produce a smell. Wipe and dry the item if it’s been sitting in a particularly smelly area. Then, hold the item up to your nose and smell it carefully for a few moments. If you sense a strong smell, the item may not be sterling silver. [6]
    • Copper is a common alloy in sterling silver, but 925 sterling does not contain enough to make a smell. Lower purity sterling silver (like 350) may have a faint coppery smell.
  3. This works best with sterling silver plates, bracelets, or necklaces. Try to gently bend or flex the item with your hands. If you can successfully bend it, the item is probably made from pure silver or high-quality sterling silver. [7]
    • If the item does not bend, it is less likely that it is made from silver or sterling silver.
  4. When silver is exposed to air, it oxidizes. The oxidization of the silver causes the metal to tarnish and take on a black tint over time. Grab a clean, white cloth and rub a portion of the silver. If a little bit of black residue comes off, it’s sterling silver. [8]
    • If you see black marks, the item is either silver or sterling silver.
    • If nothing comes off, the item is almost positively not sterling silver.
  5. Like gold and platinum, silver is a non-ferrous metal, which is a fancy way of saying it’s not magnetic. Run a strong magnet over your item. If the item is not attracted to the magnet, it is likely that you’ve got real sterling silver. [9]
    • If the item sticks to the magnet, it does not contain sterling silver. More than likely, the item is made from highly polished stainless steel intended to look like pure silver.
  6. Silver has the highest thermal conductivity rate of any known metal, which means it conducts heat. Set two ice cubes out. Put the silver item on one of them. If the ice cube under the silver melts faster than the other ice cube, you’ve got real silver. [10]
    • Alternatively, you can put the silver underneath the ice cube. You should see a puddle forming almost immediately if it’s real silver.
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Section 4 of 4:

Professional Help

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  1. Take your item to a appraiser to have it inspected . If your home tests yield inconclusive results, you may need to consult a professional to determine if your item is silver, sterling silver, or silver plated. While there are a variety of professionals to choose from, some are more qualified than others. Select a professional that is certified, experienced, and highly recommended. [11]
    • Professional appraisers are highly trained and experienced. Many reputable appraisers are certified by the American Society of Appraisers. Their job is to assess the quality and worth of items.
    • Graduate jewelers are trained and certified by the Gemologist Institute of America. They are skilled artists and experienced repairers of jewelry. They are also capable of evaluating an item's materials. [12]
  2. When nitric acid comes into contact with metal, it reveals if the metal is real or imitation. The professional will nick or scratch the item in a discreet area. They will place a drop of nitric acid into the nick or scratch. If the area turns green, the item is not made out of silver; if the area turns a creamy color, the item is made out of silver. [13]
    • You can do this at home, but it is dangerous since nitric acid is noxious. When handling nitric acid, you need to be extremely careful. Always wear protective gloves and eyewear.
  3. If your item requires further testing, you may send it to a professional advanced jewelry or metal testing laboratory. Ask a local, trusted jeweler for lab recommendations or search for a reputable advanced metal testing lab online. At the lab, scientists will conduct a battery of tests to determine the chemical makeup of your item. These tests may include: [14]
    • Fire assay—melting down a sample of the metal and conducting a chemical assay
    • The use of an XRF gun. This item send x-rays through the item to test the metal's purity.
    • Mass spectrometry—a test used to determine an item's molecular and chemical structure.
    • Specific gravity assessment—a water displacement test. [15]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can you tell if something is real silver without markings?
    Kennon Young
    Master Gemologist Appraiser
    Kennon Young is a Master Gemologist Appraiser and the Owner of Vermont Gemological Laboratory in Burlington, Vermont. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kennon and his team specialize in handmade engagement rings, wedding bands, and custom jewelry. He attended the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, the Gemological Institute of America, and the Rhode Island School of Design Extension. He is a Jewelers of America (JA) Certified Bench Jeweler Technician and received the highest credential in the jewelry appraisal industry, the ASA Master Gemologist Appraiser, in 2016.
    Kennon Young
    Master Gemologist Appraiser
    Expert Answer
    If there are no markings, you can't be sure without having it tested by professionals. They would perform a chemical test, including acid tests, a laser test, or an electronic test.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.shapeways.com/rrstatic/material_docs/mds-silver.pdf
      2. ↑ https://stonexbullion.com/en/blog/silver-fineness-explained/
      3. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/home/cleaning-and-housekeeping/does-sterling-silver-tarnish
      4. ↑ https://www.silvercollection.it/DICTIONARYDECRYPTINGUKSTERLINGMARKS.html
      5. ↑ https://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/how-to-check-silver-authenticity/
      6. ↑ https://www.body-piercing.com/blog/6-tips-to-know-if-your-925-sterling-silver-jewelry-is-real/
      7. ↑ http://www.silverstall.com/testing-silver.html
      8. ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343774752_Coatings_to_Improve_the_Tarnish_Resistance_of_Sterling_Silver
      9. ↑ https://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/how-to-check-silver-authenticity/
      1. ↑ https://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/how-to-check-silver-authenticity/
      2. ↑ https://jcrs.com/JCRS_for_consumers/appraising_jewelry/jewelry_appraisal.htm
      3. ↑ http://m.palagems.com/choosing-an-appraiser/
      4. ↑ https://clothedwithtruth.com/blogs/news/how-to-determine-if-jewelry-is-sterling-silver-or-silver-plated
      5. ↑ https://www.silverstall.com/testing-silver.html
      6. ↑ http://www.silverstall.com/testing-silver.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To identify a piece of sterling silver, first look for the sterling silver hallmark, which is sometimes written as “925,” or “S925” in the U.S., a stamped lion in the U.K., or a stamped vase or Head of Minerva in France. If it doesn’t have a stamp, run a magnet around the pieces of metal. If it’s attracted to the magnet, it’s not sterling silver. Since silver oxidizes in air, try rubbing it with a white cloth and looking for black marks on the cloth from oxidation. For tips on performing other tests or taking the metal to a professional, scroll down!

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