Symbols on silver, called hallmarks, identify its purity (like "925" for 92.5% silver or a lion passant for sterling), the maker's mark, the city or location where it was assayed (like an anchor for Birmingham), and sometimes a date letter, guaranteeing authenticity and origin, with specific marks varying by country (UK, US, etc.).
There are 5 standard marks found on British Silver: The walking lion for all sterling silver made in England. The standing lion for all sterling silver made in Glasgow. The thistle for for all sterling silver made in Edinburgh. The crowned harp for all sterling silver made in Dublin.
If you think a piece might be silver, the first mark to look for is a standard mark – the leopard's head, lion passant, lion's head erased, seated figure of Britannia or, for imported items, . 925 or . 9584 in an oval shield. Having found a standard mark, next find where the item was assayed.
800 silver contains 80% pure silver and 20% other metals, while 925 silver, also known as sterling silver, contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals. This means that 925 silver is more durable and resistant to tarnishing than 800 silver.
925 silver (Sterling Silver) is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, offering greater durability and strength for jewellery and everyday items. 999 silver (Fine Silver) is 99.9% pure silver, softer and more malleable, often used for investment pieces like coins and bars.
Beware of Fake Stamps
Some counterfeiters may try to pass off their jewelry as genuine by stamping it with "S925" or other similar marks. However, these stamps may not be accurate, and the piece could still be made of a cheap metal.
Yes, 925 gold is pawnable, but you won't get nearly as much as you would from solid gold.
One reliable method is to look for hallmarks or jewelry stamps on the piece, which typically indicate purity levels, such as “925” for sterling silver. Another method is the magnet test; genuine silver is not magnetic, so if a magnet sticks to the item, it's likely not real silver.
Magnet Test: As we've established, silver does not stick to a magnet. If your jewelry does, it's likely not real silver.
Silver turning black is not a defect – it is a natural property of silver. If your jewellery is made of sterling silver (925/1000) and does not have a protective surface treatment such as rhodium plating, platinum plating, or another finish, it will naturally react with its environment.
Silver hallmarks comprise four main elements to tell you this: the town mark, the date letter, the maker's mark, and the lion passant. During the period between 1784-1890 a duty was placed on gold and silver, leading to the introduction of the duty mark.
Silver is not magnetic, not even with the strongest magnet. However, silver is diamagnetic. Take a silver coin, hold it at 45 degrees, a suitable magnet will slide down it slowly.
Silver is a chemical element; it has symbol Ag (from Latin argentum 'silver') and atomic number 47.
The date letter does not indicate the year of manufacture, but the year the piece was assayed or hallmarked. As each assay office has its own date chart, you must identify the town mark first. It is important to establish the font, capitalisation and the shield shape (background) in each mark as these change in cycles.
Most Australian Silver will be marked STG SIL, S SIL, STG and STERLING SIL. Sometimes with a makers mark. The early silversmiths liked to copy English hallmarks but with their own twist. The lion passant is often used but in conjunction with sterling silver in some form.
The grade shows how much silver is in a piece compared to other metals. Silver is usually measured in parts per thousand. For example, if a silver piece is 925, it means that 925 parts out of 1,000 are pure silver. The higher the number, the purer the silver.
To test silver with vinegar, mix equal parts of white vinegar and baking soda in a bowl and stir until the baking soda is dissolved. Then, dip a clean cloth or cotton swab into the mixture and apply it to the silver object. If the object is real silver, the mixture will cause a reaction that will bubble and fizz.
The Ice Test
Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any metal. If the object is silver, the cold will rapidly transfer from the ice to the silver – causing it to melt much faster than ice placed on a base metal like aluminum or steel.
Sterling silver and silver look exactly the same, and if you have silver jewelry, it's most likely sterling. The best indicator is the marking, or hallmark, stamped on in small numbers or letters. Sterling silver will have a 925 or STER, and fine silver will have a 999 or FS.
Colour And Shine Tell You Even More
When you clean silver, it brightens with a clear, white shine. Pewter never reaches that brightness, even when polished, and it keeps a soft grey tone. Older silver develops dark tarnish patches, while older pewter creates a smooth, cloudy patina.
In a direct sale, you'll typically receive more money upfront than you would from a pawn loan. That's because selling doesn't involve loan risk or delayed repayment. However, pawn shop silver prices can still be competitive—especially if the item is in demand or part of a numismatic collection.
Real Diamonds Are Set in Precious Metals
However, a "925" stamp suggests the metal is sterling silver, which is less common for authentic diamond settings but does not necessarily mean the diamond is fake. Also, beware of a “CZ” mark, which usually indicates cubic zirconia, a popular diamond alternative.
One of Ralph Lauren's early consummate sterling silver pieces when he and his staff were doing the designing and producing, unlike today where all of his jewelry is franchised, mass marketed and marked R.L.L. (Ralph Lauren License).