Different Types of Silver Jewellery

• It has a high silver purity, with 92.5% of pure silver and other supporting metals standing at 7.5% 

• The addition of alloy in silver enhances the colour and shine 

• Jewellery made of Sterling Silver is prone to scratches or damage and, thus, needs to be handled carefully

• .925 and Stg are common quality stamps for this type of silver

2. Argentium Silver 

• Argentium silver or non-tarnish alloys contain a silver purity of 92.5%

• Copper and germanium are the common supporting metals, with germanium increasing the hardness and tarnish resistance

• This kind of silver requires less maintenance than Sterling Silver

• It has a higher price point when compared to Sterling Silver

• Distinguishing this type from sterling silver is difficult since they both have a quality stamp of .925

3. Coin Silver

• The purity of coin silver stands at .900, which means it contains 90% silver and 10% copper

• Coin silver is available on the market with a quality stamp of .900

• Due to their rarity, coin silver jewellery pieces are considered antiques

4. Fine .999 Silver

• Fine Silver holds the highest purity since it is marked .999, which indicates a purity level of 99.9% 

• As compared to Sterling Silver, this silver holds a lower level of shine with a grey and slightly dull colour

• Fine Silver is soft and can change its shape easily if you apply force

• Fine Silver is not considered the best type of silver for jewellery due to its softness and lower level of lustre when compared to Sterling Silver

• Fine Silver can be used to make earrings or different types of necklaces since they have a lower chance of damage

• Due to its softness, Fine Silver is easily moldable 

• .999 FS or.999. is a quality stamp you need to look for when purchasing Fine Silver

5. Bali, Mexican or Thai Silver

• Bali, Thailand, and Mexico are known for producing high-quality silver, which is used for jewellery

• If you are looking to purchase this kind of silver, ascertaining the actual value requires quality stamps and additional indicators of quality and silver content 

6. Nickel Silver

• Nickel silver is a base metal alloy which generally includes copper, along with nickel and/or zinc, and it does not include pure silver

• It is used for jewellery and is also known as German Silver as well as Alpaca Silver 

• It is an inexpensive base metal, and it resembles Sterling Silver in appearance 

• Nickel silver is relatively soft

7. Silver-filled

• Silver-filled consists of about 5% or 10% Sterling Silver, which is fused with heat and pressure to other supporting metals

• It does not have consistent metal content, and Sterling Silver is concentrated only on the surface

• Silver-filled cannot be cast owing to its layered structure

• It is considered a lower-quality product compared to Sterling Silver

• Silver-filled jewellery and items are prone to tarnish

8. Silver Plated

• This kind of silver is generally used for jewellery where the base of the jewellery is made of base metal with a very thin layer of silver applied to the outer surface

• The actual silver content on the item is minimal

• Silver-plated jewellery is considered affordable due to the lower quantity of silver in the item

• Silver-plated jewellery is subject to tarnish over time, and after the outer layer of silver strips off, the base metal underneath becomes visible

• Silver-plated jewellery does not have a quality stamp, but it may contain the logo of the manufacturer or a hallmark

9. Tibetan or Tribal Silver

• Tibetan silver is also known as tribal silver, and it is a base metal alloy that imitates the appearance of actual silver 

• Tibetan silver does not include pure silver

• Ascertaining the actual value of silver in Tibetan silver can be difficult

Hence, paying attention to these quality standard markings can help you identify genuine silver.

2. Wet Chemical Analysis

Wet chemical analysis is yet another method to determine the purity of your silver item. This method requires the extraction of a small part of silver from your item and dissolving it in a chemical solution. 

 

Wet chemical analysis is a precise and widely used method for checking the purity of silver in your jewellery or any other silver item.

3. Polish Test

A polish test refers to checking the polish on your silver jewellery or any other silver item. This test is not considered a reliable method for checking the silver quality. While pure silver tends to polish well and provides a bright shine, other similar metals can also be polished to make them appear like silver.

4. X-ray Testing

X-ray testing is a method to determine the purity of your silver item, which does not cause any damage to the silver item. This method involves using X-ray technology to analyse the quantity of the precious metal in your item.

 

X-ray testing is a reliable and widely used method for assessing the quality and authenticity of the silver in any item.

5. Flake Test

The flake test is yet another method of assessing the quality of your silver item or jewellery by scratching the surface of the item to see if it flakes off. Silver with a higher purity will not flake. 

 

On the other hand, a lower-quality silver or alloy may flake, revealing a different metal underneath. It is essential to note that using this method to check the quality or purity of your silver may lead to damage or scratches on your silver item.

6. Magnet Test

Since silver is non-magnetic, the silver test is used to check the authenticity of the silver. If it is pure silver, it will not stick to the magnet. On the other hand, if the purity of silver is not high, it may stick to the magnet. 

 

Understanding different types of silver and methods to check their purity helps you purchase the right type of silver. After all, silver is a potential investment option that can help you earn handsome returns across a timeline.