by Jesús Zabala - 4 min read

What Does 925 Mean on Jewelry?

When shopping for jewelry, you have probably seen the small 925 mark stamped on silver pieces. This number is not a random sign, but it has its meaning and speaks volumes about your precious piece. So, what does 925 mean on jewelry?

Stay tuned to discover what this sign means and how to identify sterling silver jewelry. You will also learn about some common symbols and hallmarks on silver jewelry pieces.

Let’s start and learn silver hallmarks identification!

What Does 925 Mean on Jewelry?

Some jewelry pieces, whether rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, or pendants, have tiny silver hallmarks 925 engravings. But what is the sterling silver stamp?

This engraved marking means the piece’s silver alloy is 92.5% silver and 7.5% of another metal. The 925 is a hallmark indicating metal compositions of high-quality sterling silver.

Checking for this stamp is important if you want to buy quality jewelry. Sometimes, jewelry pieces are made with lower-quality silver, meaning their composition includes a higher percentage of other metals. If 925 is stamped on your piece, you should know you are wearing first-rate silver jewelry.

Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: OB KCP

History

Sterling silver has always been a valued metal. During the reign of Edward I in the 13th century, a law was passed to ensure the quality of sterling silver and rank the purity of 925 per 1000. Soon, all silver goods were subject to this hallmarking method to guarantee their quality.

The 925 international sign is relatively new. However, international usage was complicated because various nations used different criteria to grade the quality of silver.

Nowadays, the 925 sign is the most common. The exact origin of the specific 925 mark is not attributed to a single inventor or a specific date. Yet, with time, many countries started using it.

For example, the UK Hallmarking Act of 1973 formally standardized the use of the 925 mark for sterling silver. Hallmarking remains legally mandated in many countries. These regulations protect consumers and maintain industry standards, ensuring the authenticity of sterling silver items.

Common Symbols and Hallmarks on Sterling Silver Jewelry

Assay office marks

These symbols identify the assay office that tests and certifies the metal’s purity. For instance, the four assay office marks in the UK are London (leopard’s head), Birmingham (anchor), Sheffield (rose), and Edinburgh (castle).

Purity marks

Purity marks indicate the silver content in the alloy. Sterling silver is marked with 925 (indicating 92.5% silver). In addition to the silver hallmark 925, you can find the word “sterling.” Other common purity marks include 958 (Britannia silver, 95.8% pure) and 999 (fine silver, 99.9% pure).

Maker’s marks

These are unique symbols or initials identifying the manufacturer or silversmith. Each maker has a distinct mark registered with the relevant assay office.

Date letters

Many countries use a letter system to denote the year a piece was assayed. In the UK, for example, each letter corresponds to a specific year, and the letter style changes occasionally.

In the USA, the practice of using date letters on jewelry is not as standardized as in the UK. However, some American jewelry manufacturers use their own marks. For example, Tiffany & Co. uses different letters and numbers.

Other relevant symbols

Extra marks can include commemorative marks, duty marks (historically used to indicate tax paid), and special marks denoting limited editions or special events. Understanding these marks can help identify, date, and value sterling silver jewelry.

How to Identify Sterling Silver Jewelry

You can identify sterling silver in several ways. First, look for a hallmark or stamp on the piece, such as 925 or STER, usually found on the inside of the ring, the clasps, or chains.

Next, check whether the piece is discolored. Sterling silver can tarnish over time, developing a dull, grayish-black patina. However, it should not peel or chip. If the jewelry shows signs of peeling or revealing a different metal underneath, it might be silver-plated rather than sterling silver.

Furthermore, performing a magnet test might help. Sterling silver is not magnetic, so if a magnet attracts the piece, it is likely not sterling silver.

You can also do an acid test, which involves applying a small drop of nitric acid to a discrete area. Genuine sterling silver will be creamy white when exposed to nitric acid, while other metals might produce different reactions.

Finally, evaluate the weight and craftsmanship. Sterling silver is denser than many other metals, giving it a substantial feel. Well-crafted sterling silver jewelry will also exhibit fine detailing and quality finishing.

If you still wonder how to tell if a bracelet is sterling silver, we advise you to do the odor test. Sterling silver is odorless. So, smell the jewelry piece; if you can smell sulfur or a distinct metallic fragrance, it is not sterling silver.

Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Andrey cu y

Conclusion

Identifying high-quality from lower-quality sterling silver jewelry is good if you want to do the right shopping. At that point, the identification sterling silver marks and numbers becomes significant. To sum up, what does 925 mean on jewelry?

The 925 is a hallmark that indicates metal quality. It shows that a jewelry piece is 92.5% silver and 7.5% another metal; in short, it declares a high-quality piece.

As mentioned, the need for international standards and signs for high-quality jewelry dates back centuries, and in many countries today, marking the jewelry is mandatory. Several symbols and hallmarks on sterling silver jewelry, such as purity and date marks, aim to maintain industry standards and protect customers.

So, from now on, you will know that when looking for high-quality sterling silver, you should first look for the 925 sign!