How to Identify Sterling Silver with Naked Eyes

01. STAMP

In most circumstances, sterling silver jewelry is stamped with 925, S925, or AU 925, which indicates it contains 92.5% pure silver.

But please note that NOT ALL silver jewelry is stamped. Thailand hill tribe silver jewelry is not stamped, but its silver content is higher than sterling silver.

02. Tarnish

"The ring left a green stain on my finger!"

Then congrats, your ring is genuine silver.

This sounds ridiculous, but the truth is: silver tarnishes.

What if the item is new and not tarnished yet? No worries. Rub it with a piece of white cotton cloth. If it leaves black stains on the cloth, it is silver.

03. Magnet

Sterling silver contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals (mainly brass, to add hardness to silver). So it is NOT magnetic.

04. Ice Test

Believe it or not, silver makes ice melt faster.

Put two ice blocks next to each other, then put your jewelry on one of them. If it is real silver, the ice under it melts faster.

05. Professional Inspections

All the methods above do NOT guarantee 100% accuracy.

Take your jewelry to a local jeweler or identification lab for an inspection if you are still doubtful.