Silver fineness – what are the markings and types of silver?
In jewelry and other fields where precious metals are used, special attention is paid to fineness. Silver has several types of markings, which differ in the quality and durability of the alloys. Which type of silver is considered best for creating the highest-quality jewelry? Check out our guide!
What is silver fineness and why is it important?
Silver fineness is, simply put, the content of pure silver in an alloy, expressed in per mille.
The most popular fineness used in silver jewelry is 925 – containing 92.5% pure silver (925 per mille) and 7.5% other metals (75 per mille). Earrings, necklaces, and bracelets cannot be made entirely of silver due to its softness. To increase the durability of the jewelry, it is alloyed with other metals, such as copper or nickel.
Marking silver with a specific fineness is crucial in identifying the quality of the alloy – the higher the precious metal content, the more valuable and durable the product is considered to be.
Check out the products in the photo! [1. Lungo Silver Earrings; 2. Viva Vanilla XL Ring]
What are the finenesses of silver in jewelry?
We can distinguish five most popular silver finenesses. They differ in the amount of silver in the alloy, and therefore in their properties and quality.
Silver fineness 999
999/1000 fine silver is the purest type, containing 999 parts silver and 1 part other metal, such as copper, nickel, or tin. It is also known as mil silver. Due to its softness and susceptibility to deformation, it is rarely used in jewelry.
They are used in the production of bars, medals, collector coins and other products that require the use of very high-quality raw materials.
925 silver fineness
925/1000 silver is also known as sterling silver and, as mentioned, is the most popular alloy. Furthermore, it is the most valuable grade in jewelry.
Jewelry made from it is characterized by high quality, high resistance to damage, corrosion and rust, which allows it to serve for many years, maintaining its shine.
Silver fineness 875
875/1000 fineness is considered high-quality silver, which is ideal for small pendants.
Silver fineness 830
Another frequently found on the jewelry market, the 830/1000 fineness, enjoys its popularity thanks to its reasonable price combined with good quality.
Silver fineness 800
The last grade in the classification, 800/1000, has the lowest silver content. It is used to make less expensive jewelry and is also used in bracelet and chain clasps.
What silver fineness is best?
To define the best fineness of silver, it's worth asking what we want to use it for. The favorite is, of course, the purest fineness of .999, in which more and more people are investing their savings by purchasing bars or coins made from it.
Check out the products in the photo! [1. Lungo Silver Earrings ]
Purchasing top-quality 925 sterling silver jewelry can also be considered an investment. If you're thinking about a valuable cutlery set, choose 925 or 875 sterling silver, which will retain its value for years.
Differences between 925 and 999 silver
What's the difference between the highest purity silver and the finest purity silver used in jewelry? 999 is the purest, most valuable grade of this metal, but due to its properties, it cannot be used for jewelry. For this reason, 925 is considered the highest quality for jewelry, as it is more durable than 999 due to the addition of metals.
Check out the products in the photo! [1. Bott Silver Earrings ; 2. Palla Silver Earrings ; 3. Osso Silver Bracelet ; 4. Bump Silver Bracelet ]
What silver hallmarks can be found on jewelry?
Wondering why you can find a fineness number on some silver items and not on others? In jewelry, it depends on the item's weight. If all the parts of a single piece made of a silver alloy weigh 5 grams or more, the jeweler is obligated to have them officially hallmarked. In practice, this means they must have a hallmark, an official mark stamped on the item indicating the fineness of the item.
The marking consists of three elements:
- symbol – woman's head in a headscarf;
- letter – abbreviation of the name of the city in which the jewelry was marked;
- sample information – the sample number from which the decoration was made.
If the weight of the item doesn't exceed 5g, the jeweler isn't obligated to stamp this information on the jewelry. How do we know the weight of the jewelry? According to Polish law, the manufacturer is required to include information about the fineness and weight of the precious metal components on the tag attached to the jewelry.
How to recognize real silver?
Check out the products in the photo! [1. Bump Silver Bracelet ]
To invest in jewelry that will last for years, it's worth having a basic understanding of how to recognize the quality of silver. If you're considering purchasing a piece of jewelry in-store, first check the label and markings stamped on the item. We also recommend using home remedies, such as rubbing the jewelry on a soft cloth.
If the piece leaves darker streaks in the rubbed area, it's probably silver. You can also use a magnet (even one from the refrigerator). Silver is diamagnetic, meaning it doesn't react to a magnetic field. This means a silver piece can't stick to a magnet—otherwise, it's not considered silver or is made of low-grade silver.
How can you check the quality of jewelry you buy online? Trust reputable brands that transparently present their material composition on their websites. At Berries, we use 925 sterling silver, guaranteeing the highest quality and longevity. Furthermore, our alloy is nickel-free, a common allergen that causes allergic reactions, such as swelling and itching.
Choose safety for your skin and a valuable glow that will last for years with Berries!
