Silver jewellery is one of the easiest luxuries to fall in love with, and unfortunately also one of the easiest to imitate. Plated brass, "German silver" and nickel alloys can look convincing on a screen or under shop lights. The good news is that you don't need a lab to make a sensible first judgement. This guide explains what "925" really means, walks through simple checks you can do at home, and lists the red flags that should make you pause.
What does "925" actually mean?
Pure silver (often called fine silver, 999) is beautiful but soft. It bends, scratches and loses its shape easily, which is why it is rarely used for rings, chains or earrings meant for daily wear.
925 sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, traditionally copper. The small amount of alloy makes the metal noticeably stronger while keeping the bright white lustre that silver is loved for. The number 925 is simply the purity expressed in parts per thousand: 925 parts silver out of 1,000.
Common stamps you may see
- 925 or .925: sterling silver purity.
- STER, STERLING or SS: another way of marking sterling silver (more common on international pieces).
- 999 or FS: fine silver, usually seen on coins, bars and some traditional items.
- EP, EPNS, SP or Silver Plated: electroplated or silver-plated. This is not solid silver.
The stamp is usually tiny and placed discreetly: inside a ring band, on the clasp or tag of a chain, or on the post or back of an earring. A magnifying glass or your phone's camera zoom helps.
What about BIS hallmarking in India?
In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) sets the standard for silver purity. Under the updated standard IS 2112:2025, recognised silver grades include 800, 835, 925, 958, 970, 990 and 999. From September 2025, BIS also introduced a voluntary hallmarking scheme for silver jewellery with a six-digit HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) code. A hallmarked piece carries the BIS mark with the word "SILVER", the purity grade and the HUID.
Because silver hallmarking is currently voluntary, not every genuine piece will carry a BIS hallmark. If a piece does have an HUID, you can look it up in the official BIS Care app to see its purity grade and the registered jeweller. If it doesn't, the checks below and the seller's transparency matter more.
7 simple ways to check silver at home
None of these tests is perfect on its own. Think of them as filters: the more a piece passes, the more confident you can be.
1. Look for the stamp, and look closely
Start with the marking. A clean, evenly struck "925" is a good sign; a smudged, uneven or oddly placed stamp is worth questioning. Remember, though, that stamps can be faked. A stamp tells you what the maker claims, so always combine it with the other checks.
2. The magnet test
Silver is not magnetic. Hold a strong magnet (a fridge magnet is often too weak) close to the piece. If the jewellery jumps to the magnet or clings to it, it contains a significant amount of iron, nickel or steel and is not sterling silver.
A note of caution: clasps and springs inside chains are sometimes made of steel, so test the main body of the piece. And passing this test doesn't prove anything by itself, since brass and some other base metals are non-magnetic too.
3. The ice test
Silver conducts heat exceptionally well. Place an ice cube on your piece and another on a steel spoon or plate at room temperature. On real silver, the ice should begin melting noticeably faster, almost as if the metal is warm. This works best on larger pieces such as bangles, kadas or chunky chains; tiny studs don't have enough metal to show a clear difference.
4. The cloth test
Rub the piece gently with a soft white cotton cloth. Genuine silver often leaves faint grey or black marks on the cloth. That is tarnish (silver sulphide) coming off the surface. No mark doesn't automatically mean fake, since new or recently polished pieces may stay clean, but a dark mark is a reassuring sign.
5. The smell and feel check
Real sterling silver has almost no smell. If a piece gives off a distinct metallic or "coin-like" smell, especially after you've held it in your hand for a while, it may contain a high proportion of copper or brass. Similarly, if your skin turns green after a short time, the piece is likely a base metal or poorly made alloy.
6. Check the edges and wear points
Plated jewellery reveals itself where it rubs: clasp edges, the inside of ring bands, the back of pendants. Look for spots where a yellow, reddish or dull grey metal is showing through the silver colour. Solid 925 silver is the same metal all the way through, so wear won't expose a different colour underneath.
7. The bleach test (use with care)
Silver reacts quickly with chlorine. A tiny drop of household bleach on a hidden spot will turn genuine silver dark within seconds. This test does leave a mark, so only use it on a piece you already own and are willing to polish afterwards. Never use it on gemstones, pearls or plated items you'd like to keep, never mix bleach with other cleaners, and work in a ventilated space.
When to get a professional test
If you're investing in a heavier piece, buying second-hand or simply want certainty, visit a jeweller or BIS-recognised assaying centre. Professionals can use acid testing (which needs a small scratch) or XRF analysis (non-destructive) to measure the exact metal composition. These are far more reliable than any home test.
Red flags when buying silver jewellery
- Prices that seem too good to be true. Silver is a commodity with a market price. A heavy-looking 925 chain at a fraction of the expected cost is almost certainly plated.
- No stamp and no clear description. A trustworthy seller tells you the metal, purity and, ideally, the weight.
- Vague words like "silver-tone", "silver finish" or "oxidised look". These describe colour, not metal.
- "German silver" or "nickel silver" sold as real silver. These alloys contain no silver at all.
- No return policy or contact details. Genuine brands are easy to reach and stand behind their pieces.
- Pieces that never tarnish over years. Real sterling silver tarnishes slowly unless it is coated; a piece that stays mirror-bright forever without care may not be solid silver.
A quiet word on buying with confidence
At MI PLATA, every piece is crafted in 925 sterling silver, and our roots go back to the Bhalla Jewellers family legacy in Jabalpur. We'd always rather you ask questions than guess. If you'd like to know more about any piece before you buy, you're welcome to write to us on WhatsApp at +91 85190 90111.
When you're ready to explore, our everyday rings, earrings and necklaces are a good place to begin. And once you've found a piece you love, our guide to cleaning and caring for silver at home will keep it bright for years.
Frequently asked questions
Does 925 silver tarnish?
Yes. Because 925 sterling silver contains a small amount of copper, it slowly reacts with sulphur in the air and darkens over time. Tarnish is a natural sign of real silver and can be gently cleaned away.
Is a 925 stamp proof that silver is real?
Not on its own. A stamp shows what the maker claims, and stamps can be faked. Combine it with checks like the magnet and ice tests, buy from transparent sellers, and use a BIS HUID or a professional test when you need certainty.
Can real silver be magnetic?
No, silver itself is not magnetic. If a piece sticks strongly to a magnet, it is not sterling silver, although a small steel spring inside a clasp may be slightly magnetic.
What is the difference between 925 and 999 silver?
999 is fine silver, 99.9% pure, and quite soft. 925 is 92.5% silver blended with stronger metals, which makes it better suited to jewellery you wear every day.
How can I check a BIS hallmark on silver?
If your piece carries a six-digit HUID, enter it in the official BIS Care app to see its purity grade and the registered jeweller. Silver hallmarking in India is currently voluntary, so not every genuine piece will have one.