The primary reason silver is mixed with other metals is that pure silver is very soft. The softness of silver makes it very difficult for jewelers to work with, and pieces made with 100 percent silver would easily get disfigured with use. 2. To Make Thinner Pieces

Counterfeiting of precious metals, such as silver, is a common issue in the jewelry industry. The S925 stamp plays a crucial role in preventing counterfeiting by making it easier to identify genuine sterling silver. It's important to remember that just because a piece has the correct stamp doesn't mean that it's real sterling silver. Read below to learn how to identify fakes. How to Identify FakesStenton, F M; Dolley, Reginald Hugh Michael. R.H.M. Dolley. (ed.). "Anglo-Saxon Coins. Studies presented to F.M. Stenton on the occasion of his 80th birthday, 17 May 1960. [With plates, including a portrait]". WorldCat. Taylor & Francis. pp.266–283. GGKEY:1JURCGTRPJ8. Therefore, it’s advisable to use this method in combination with other tests to get a more accurate result. Fake Silver May Be Magnetic Additionally, you can use a silver testing solution or acid test to confirm the purity of the metal. These tests involve applying a small drop of testing solution or acid to a discreet area of the ring and observing the reaction. Genuine sterling silver will not show any discoloration or reaction. Is s925 silver valuable? Yes, s925 sterling silver is considered valuable due to its purity and quality. The remaining 7.5% is usually made up of other metals, such as copper, to enhance the strength and durability of the piece.

Acid testing, as mentioned earlier, involves using acid to observe the reaction of the metal. Genuine sterling silver will not be affected by the acid, while lower-quality metals or silver-plated rings will show signs of discoloration or damage. Remember how sterling silver and 925 silver are the same thing? With that knowledge, you’ll recognize that any item of silver jewelry labeled sterling or 925 is in fact sterling silver! Sterling Silver in Jewelry While it’s important to clean your S925 sterling silver ring, it’s equally important to avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasives that can damage the metal. Avoid using bleach, ammonia, or any other harsh cleaning agents, as they can cause the silver to tarnish or even corrode. Magnets have little to no effect on genuine sterling silver. This means that if you have one handy, you can use it to perform a very simple test. If you find that your magnet creates a strong attraction to the jewelry you're testing, walk away. This is a clear indication that it's fake. You can use this test to identify real gold, too. Look at the Markings

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Earrings: Often, earrings are made with cheaper metals which cause irritation and can lead to bleeding and infection. Next time you fall in love with a pair of earrings, make sure they’re sterling silver. The “S925” marking is a way for jewelry manufacturers to guarantee the silver’s quality and purity. Other Silver Purity Markings to Know So, to wrap up, there is no difference between the terms sterling silver and 925 silver, however the standards of sterling silver may differ depending on the country it comes from. The reason sterling silver requires the mixture of other metals is because naturally, pure silver is soft. Adding other metals to the silver increases the hardness, making it more suitable and durable for use in jewelry and housewares like silverware.