You bought a gorgeous pair of silver earrings online. They arrived, they're shiny, and now a tiny voice in your head is asking: is this actually silver?
Fair question. Here's how to check, without ruining your jewelry.
1. Look for the stamp
Real sterling silver is usually stamped with a small mark. Look on the clasp, the back of a pendant, the inside of a ring, or the post of an earring. Common marks include:
- 925 or 92.5
- S925
- STER or Sterling
Small pieces like studs and nose pins are sometimes too tiny to stamp, so a missing mark doesn't automatically mean fake. But a stamp is a great first sign.
Not sure what 925 even means? Start with our 925 sterling silver explainer.
2. Try the magnet test
Silver isn't magnetic. Hold a strong magnet near your jewelry. If it snaps to the magnet, it's not sterling silver.
One catch: some other metals aren't magnetic either, so passing this test doesn't prove it's silver. It just rules out a few fakes.
3. Do the ice test
Silver is a great conductor of heat. Place an ice cube on a flat silver piece and watch. On real silver, the ice starts melting surprisingly fast, almost like it's sitting on something warm.
4. Notice how it tarnishes
Real silver slowly darkens over time when exposed to air and moisture. Gently rub a white cloth on an inconspicuous spot. A faint gray or black mark often means real silver.
This is also why tarnish isn't a bad sign. It's silver being silver. Here's how to handle tarnish.
5. Watch your skin
If a piece leaves a green mark on your skin, it usually has a lot of copper or base metal. Sterling silver rarely does this.
6. Ask a jeweler
For anything valuable, a local jeweler can do an acid test or use an electronic tester. It's quick, cheap, and the most reliable answer you'll get.
What about gold plated silver?
Gold plated silver can still be stamped 925, since the base is sterling. Check the back, clasp, or posts where the stamp usually hides.
Tests to skip
You'll find advice online to scratch your jewelry, use bleach, or bite it. Please don't. These can permanently damage your piece, especially oxidized or plated finishes.
Buying smart
The easiest way to avoid the guesswork is buying from a brand that tells you exactly what's in your jewelry. Every Yamoona piece is 925 sterling silver, handcrafted by Indian artisans, with the metal and finish listed on every product page.
