AYANTA JEWELS

How to Check Real 925 Silver

Silver is one of the most faked metals sold online in India. "German silver", "silver-plated", "silver-tone" and "oxidised" pieces are often listed right next to real sterling silver, at prices that look similar until the plating wears off. This guide explains how to tell the difference — for any piece, from any seller, including us.

What does "925 silver" actually mean?

925 silver (also called sterling silver) is 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% other metals, usually copper, for strength. Pure 999 silver is too soft to hold a clasp, stone setting or fine chain, so 925 is the international standard for jewellery.

It is not the same as:

  • German silver / nickel silver — contains no silver at all; it is a copper-nickel-zinc alloy.
  • Silver-plated — a base metal (brass or copper) with a thin silver coating that wears off, often within months.
  • "Silver-tone" or "silver colour" — describes the colour only, not the metal.

6 ways to check if your jewellery is real 925 silver

1. Look for the 925 stamp

Genuine sterling pieces are usually stamped 925, S925 or STERLING in a discreet spot — near the clasp, on the inside of a ring or bangle, or on the back of a pendant or earring post. Use your phone camera zoomed in. A stamp alone is not proof (it can be faked), so combine it with the checks below.

2. The magnet test

Silver is not magnetic. Hold a strong magnet (a fridge magnet will do) against the piece. If it sticks firmly, the core is iron or steel, not silver. Note: clasps and springs can contain a little steel, so test the main body of the piece.

3. The white cloth test

Rub the piece firmly with a soft white cloth. Real silver reacts with air and often leaves a faint grey or black mark on the cloth — that is tarnish, and it is a good sign. No mark at all does not mean fake (new or anti-tarnish finished pieces may not mark), but plated pieces sometimes show a different colour underneath.

4. The ice test

Silver conducts heat better than almost any other common metal. Place an ice cube on a flat silver piece (or a silver coin for comparison) and another on a steel spoon. The ice on real silver melts noticeably faster.

5. The smell and skin test

Sterling silver has no smell. Brass, copper and nickel alloys often give off a metallic smell on warm skin, and can leave a green or black stain on your skin after a few hours of wear.

6. Ask a jeweller to test it

For a certain answer, any local jeweller can test the piece. An XRF (spectro) test is non-destructive and shows the exact metal content in under a minute; the acid test is also common. This is the only test that is truly conclusive.

Is tarnish a sign of fake silver?

No — it is the opposite. Real silver tarnishes because it reacts with sulphur in the air, sweat, perfume and cosmetics. Tarnish is surface-level and wipes off with a silver polishing cloth. Plated jewellery, by contrast, peels or fades to reveal a yellow, pink or grey metal underneath, and cannot be polished back.

Is 925 silver safe for sensitive skin?

Sterling silver is one of the most skin-friendly metals. Reactions usually come from nickel, which is common in cheap alloys and plated jewellery. Every Ayanta piece is finished nickel-free and hypoallergenic.

How do I keep my silver shining?

  • Put jewellery on last — after perfume, lotion and hairspray.
  • Take it off before swimming, bathing or the gym.
  • Store each piece in a zip-lock pouch or the Ayanta box, away from air and moisture.
  • Wipe with a soft silver polishing cloth when it looks dull. Avoid toothpaste and harsh chemicals.
  • Wear it often — regular wear actually slows tarnish.

How does Ayanta guarantee its silver?

  • Hallmarked 925 sterling silver on every piece — never plated, never "silver-tone".
  • Nickel-free, hypoallergenic finish.
  • Free insured shipping across India on every order.
  • 7-day easy returns and exchanges — if a piece is not right, send it back.

We would rather you test us than trust us. If any Ayanta piece fails a jeweller's test, contact us and we will make it right.

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