How to Check if Silver Jewellery Is Real: Hallmarks, Tests & Red Flags
Buying Guide · 2026-02-09 · 6 min read
Key takeaways
The quickest check is the stamp: genuine sterling silver is marked "925" (or "SILVER 925") somewhere on the piece.
A magnet test is a fast red-flag check — real silver is not magnetic, so if a piece is strongly attracted to a magnet, it isn’t solid silver.
A certificate of authenticity from the seller backs up the hallmark and gives you something to point to for a return or exchange.
Be cautious of listings that say "silver-toned," "silver finish" or "silver-plated" — these are not sterling silver.
Check for the 925 stamp first
Every genuine piece of sterling silver jewellery should carry a small stamp reading "925," ".925" or "SILVER 925," usually on the inside of a ring band, the back of a pendant, or near a chain’s clasp. This is the single fastest and most reliable check — if you can’t find it, and the listing doesn’t explain why, treat that as a warning sign.
Simple at-home tests
None of these replace a proper hallmark, but they’re useful quick checks if you already own a piece and want to sanity-check it.
Magnet test: silver is not magnetic. If a piece is strongly pulled toward a magnet, it likely has a significant amount of a magnetic base metal in it.
Look-and-feel: genuine silver has a bright white-grey shine, distinct from the yellowish tone of brass or the duller grey of pewter.
Tarnish check: real sterling silver tarnishes gradually and can be polished back to a shine. Silver-plated items often show a different-coloured base metal once the thin plating wears through at edges.
Red flags while buying
Watch for wording that avoids saying "sterling silver" or "925" outright — terms like "silver-toned," "silver finish," "silver-plated" or "silver alloy" without a purity number usually mean the piece is not solid sterling silver.
A seller who provides a certificate of authenticity alongside the hallmark gives you documentation to rely on, and something concrete to reference if you ever need a return or exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
What stamp should I look for on real silver jewellery?
Look for "925," ".925" or "SILVER 925" stamped on the piece — this indicates 92.5% pure sterling silver.
Does a magnet stick to real silver?
No, silver is not magnetic. If a piece is strongly attracted to a magnet, it is not solid silver.
What does "silver-plated" mean?
Silver-plated means a thin layer of silver is coated over a different base metal. It is not the same as sterling silver and will wear thin over time, unlike solid 925 silver.
