Why 925 sterling silver

What does 925 mean?

925 means the metal is 92.5% pure silver. The remaining 7.5% is usually copper. Pure silver on its own is too soft to hold a setting or a clasp — a ring made from it would bend out of shape in a month. Adding a little copper gives it strength while keeping the colour and the weight. That mixture is what the world calls sterling silver, and the "925" stamp inside a band or on a clasp is simply that promise written on the metal.

Hallmarking in India

Silver hallmarking in India is done by BIS-recognised assaying and hallmarking centres. A hallmarked piece carries the BIS mark and the fineness number — 925 for sterling. On small pieces such as studs the mark may be on the post or on the accompanying tag, because there is simply no flat surface large enough to strike it cleanly.

If you are buying silver anywhere, ours included, it is fair to ask two questions: is it 925, and can I see the mark or the certificate. A seller who hesitates is telling you something.

How it compares with gold

The honest arithmetic is what convinces most people. Gold and silver are both sold by weight, but per gram gold costs many multiples of silver. A 30-gram kada in gold is a locker purchase you save for. The same 30-gram kada in hallmarked 925 silver is something you buy for a wedding season and wear to all of it.

• You get weight and presence, not a thin hollow imitation.
• You can own a set for each occasion instead of one piece for all of them.
• With gold micron plating you get the gold look, and it can be re-plated later.
• If it is lost or stolen on a trip, the loss is survivable.

Silver is not a replacement for a family heirloom. It is a better answer to the question "what do I actually wear?"

Does silver have to tarnish?

No. Tarnish is not rust and not a sign of poor quality — it is a surface reaction between the copper in the alloy and sulphur in the air, sweat, perfume, hair oil and household cleaning products. It sits on top of the metal, and it comes off.

Pieces worn often tarnish least, because the skin polishes them. The jewellery that turns dark is usually the jewellery left in a damp bathroom shelf or a plastic bag for a year.

How to care for it

• Put jewellery on last — after perfume, hairspray and lotion, not before.
• Take it off before swimming, bathing and cleaning; chlorine and bleach are the worst.
• Wipe it with a soft dry cloth after wearing. That one habit does most of the work.
• Store each piece in the pouch it arrives in, away from damp. Add a silica sachet.
• For light tarnish, warm water with a drop of mild soap and a soft brush. Dry completely.
• On gold-plated pieces, never use silver-polishing liquid or an abrasive cloth — it strips the plating. A dry wipe only.

Still unsure?

Send us a photo of anything you already own and we will tell you honestly what it looks like and whether it can be cleaned or re-plated, even if you did not buy it from us.