Short answer: 925 silver is 92.5% pure silver. The other 7.5% is a mix of metals, usually copper, added so the jewellery is strong enough to wear. 925 silver is the same thing as sterling silver, and it is real silver.
What does 925 mean on silver jewellery?
The number is the silver content out of 1,000 parts. A piece marked 925 has 925 parts silver and 75 parts other metal. You will also see it written as 92.5 silver, 92.5 sterling silver, S925 or simply sterling. All of these describe the same alloy.
Is 925 silver pure silver?
Not 100%, and that is on purpose. Pure silver, also called fine silver, is 99.9% silver. It is lovely to look at but very soft: an earring hook bends, a clasp loosens, and a setting cannot hold a stone for long. A small amount of copper gives the metal the strength to keep its shape through daily wear, while it still looks and behaves like silver.
So when someone says "pure silver jewellery", ask which they mean. For earrings, chains and mangalsutras that you wear every day, 925 is usually the better choice. Fine silver is more common in coins and bars.
| 925 (sterling) silver | Pure (fine) silver | |
|---|---|---|
| Silver content | 92.5% | 99.9% |
| Strength | Holds hooks, clasps and stone settings | Soft; bends and scratches easily |
| Best for | Jewellery you wear often | Coins, bars |
| Tarnish | Darkens slowly over time | Darkens more slowly |
Does 925 silver tarnish or turn black?
Yes, slowly. Silver reacts with sulphur in the air, and over weeks a dark film forms on the surface. This is normal and it does not mean the silver is fake. Humidity, perfume, sweat and rubber bands speed it up.
Two habits slow it down a lot: wipe the piece with a soft cloth after you wear it, and store it in an airtight pouch. When it does darken, our guide on how to clean silver jewellery at home shows what to use for each kind of piece.
Oxidised silver is a different thing. There the dark colour is added on purpose, to bring out the carving, and it should not be polished away.
How to check if silver is real 925
- Look for the stamp. Many 925 pieces carry a small "925" or "S925" mark, often on the back of a pendant or near a clasp. Small, delicate pieces sometimes have no room for one.
- Know how hallmarking works. In India, BIS hallmarking is compulsory for gold but optional for silver, so a genuine silver piece may not carry a hallmark.
- Try a magnet. Silver is not magnetic. If a magnet grabs the piece, it is not solid silver. A piece that passes can still be plated, so treat this as a first check only.
- Buy where the metal is named. On every Pratha product page, the Quick facts box tells you the metal and finish of that piece.
925 silver with gold plating, rhodium or oxidising
Many silver pieces get a finish on top of the 925 base:
- Gold-plated: a thin layer of gold over silver, for the warm look of traditional gold jewellery. Plating wears slowly where the piece rubs, such as on bangles and rings. See our gold-plated silver pieces.
- Rhodium-polished: a bright white finish that darkens more slowly than bare silver.
- Oxidised: silver darkened on purpose, so the grooves of a design stand out. See our oxidised silver pieces.
925 silver at Pratha
Much of what we make in our Pune studio, since 2002, is in 925 sterling silver: plain chains for every day, oxidised studs for the office and statement chandbalis for festivals. A few to start with:
Browse everything in 925 silver.
Questions people ask
Is 925 silver good quality?
Yes. It is the standard alloy for silver jewellery around the world, because it balances silver content with strength.
Is sterling silver the same as 925 silver?
Yes. Sterling silver means 92.5% silver, which is what 925 stands for.
Can I wear 925 silver every day?
Yes. Take it off before bathing, swimming and workouts, and wipe it with a soft cloth after you wear it.
Can 925 silver get wet?
Plain water does not harm it, but soap, chlorine and sweat leave a film that speeds up tarnish. Dry it fully before you put it away.