How to Tell Real 925 Silver from Plated Jewellery

Not all silver-looking jewellery is silver. Here is a simple guide to what you are actually buying, and how to check.

What does 925 mean?

925 sterling silver is an alloy made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper, which makes the silver strong enough for everyday wear. Pure silver is too soft to hold its shape in jewellery.

Plated is not the same as silver

Plated or silver-tone jewellery has a thin silver-coloured layer over a cheaper base metal. When the layer wears off, the base shows through, and it can leave marks on skin. Sterling silver is silver all the way through.

Simple checks you can do at home

• Look for the stamp. Real sterling silver is usually marked 925 or S925, often near the clasp or on a small tag.
• Check where the colour wears. If you see a different colour under the surface at the edges, it is likely plated.
• Notice how it ages. Real silver darkens slowly over time and cleans up with a soft cloth. Plated pieces tend to flake or peel.

These checks are good signs, not proof. A stamp can be faked. For certainty, a jeweller can test the piece, and buying from a seller who gives a certificate with the piece is the safest route.

Why rhodium plating on silver is different

Many sterling silver pieces are finished with a thin rhodium layer. This is plating over real silver, not instead of it. It keeps the shine bright and slows tarnish, and a nickel-free finish is gentler on sensitive skin. Over time the layer can thin, but the silver underneath is still 925.

What to look for on a product page

• The words 925 sterling silver, stated clearly
• What the finish is, for example nickel-free rhodium plating
• An authenticity certificate and a warranty
• Care instructions

Looking after your silver

Put jewellery on last, after perfume and lotion. Keep it away from water and chlorine, wipe it with a soft dry cloth, and store it dry and apart from other pieces.

Ready to pick something? Browse our silver bracelets, necklaces and pendants, earrings and kadas. Every Nari piece is 925 sterling silver and comes with an authenticity certificate and a 6-month warranty.