If you love jewelry, and most people do, you may have come across 925 Italy on silver jewelry. So, what does 925 Italy mean on silver?
In this article, I will delve into the details of the meaning and everything you need to know. Keep reading to stay informed and learn more about this unique term in jewelry.
The Meaning of 925 Italy on Silver
Whenever you see “925 Italy” on any jewelry, it means that it’s composed of 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent other metals. The name Italy is an indication of the country of origin.
The marking is found only on sterling silver, which means it’s an alloy of silver and other metals. Typically, the marking does not give further information about the different metals used in the jewelry.
Sterling silver is not only produced in Italy, and most silver jewelry around the world is also made by combining with other metals.
Why is Silver Combined with Other Metals?
You could be wondering why silver in its pure form is not used in jewelry. There are numerous reasons for this. The most common reason is to improve the tensile strength.
Silver in its pure form is too soft and not suitable for bracelets, watches, rings, and other worn jewelry. Pure silver will quickly wear off, and it’s susceptible to scratches.
Manufacturers or silversmiths often mix silver with a small fraction of strong metals such as zinc, palladium, platinum, copper and others to preserve silver’s visual and attractive qualities.
Combining with other metals also helps to increase resistance to dents and damage. The majority of precious metals are soft and very expensive.
On the other hand, silver is relatively cheap, which has allowed the production of mass jewelry now available in the consumer market.
History of 925 Italy on Silver
Perhaps you’re wondering about the origin and use of the 925 standards. You’ll be surprised that the system has been in use since the 1800s, and currently, it’s synonymous with the finest craftsmanship that is popular around the world.
Italy established regulations between 1933 and 1944 and again in 1968 that made it easy for traders and buyers to know the manufacturer of the sterling silver.
The legislation required labeling to show the name of the manufacturer and the purity of the silver used. Although it has been changing throughout the years, the practice has persisted, indicating the high quality of craftsmanship.
Buying 925 Italy Silver
If you’ve decided to buy one of the 925 Italy silver sterling, you have to remember they don’t come cheap. However, you have to be cautious not to be duped.
You have to purchase from established stores or trustworthy sellers. You may also need to avoid unknown stores or online sellers who don’t guarantee authenticity.
Remember that if the price is surprisingly low, it could probably be a fake or silver-plated item. Note also that sterling silver products are not likely to be found in areas that sell low to medium range priced commodities.
You may need to look outside the middle-class stores. The places you need to look at are the upper class or high-end stores.
How to Identify 925 Italy Silver
Besides the label “925 Italy Silver” or the assurance you get from the seller that they are genuine, there are several ways you can use to identify for yourself that you’re buying the real thing.
Use a White Cloth to Rub
A genuine 925 Italy silver or the sterling silver oxides when they’re exposed to air, and this is the reason they require occasional polishing otherwise, they’d turn black.
Therefore, if you rub it using a white cloth, black stains should rub off on the fabric because of the exposure to the air.
Using Nitric Acid Test
Nitric acid will corrode most metals but not silver, and therefore you can use it on your 925 Italy silver without any effect. Your jeweler would not be afraid of the nitric acid test if they are selling genuine silver products.
However, it is most unlikely that a high-end store or a well-established jeweler would allow you to their establishment with nitric acid. Remember that nitric acid is highly corrosive and can cause chemical burns.
Besides, it can cause respiratory problems if you inhale. You need to handle acids with care in a safe and secure environment, and you can use them to test your silver possession in your home.
Using the Smell Test
The metallic smell we get from coins, rust, or any metal results from human oils on the skin that decompose when they come into contact with metal. It is not the metal that is smelling.
However, silver does not have this property because it has ions that kill bacteria, making it an antibacterial. Therefore, it cannot decompose human oils and doesn’t have the characteristic metallic smell.
If you take any genuine 925 Italy silver product and rub your finger, there should be no smell, and if it does, it could be the metal underneath that is absorbing your skin oil.
Using the Magnet Test
Another method you may use to test if 925 Italy silver is genuine is the magnet. Silver, like any other precious metal such as gold, platinum, or diamond, does not attract magnets.
If your 925 silver product is attracting magnet, it could be silver plated or perhaps has a lower silver purity.
[aawp box=”B07QBD3914,B07RGRJS3M,B07SFK2LPW,B07RQ579QR”]
How to Care for Your 925 Italy Silver
If you’ve acquired your 925 Italy silver jewelry or any other item, it can last a lifetime, and possibly you can hand down your generation. Taking good care of such products can also contribute to lasting even longer.
However, some of these items are more exposed to wear and tear than others, while others are exposed more to air, and they oxidize. For instance, your silver bracelet is exposed to air and tends to oxidize more, and needs polishing occasionally.
To avoid getting your silver jewelry turning dark and eventually black, you need some silver polishing liquid that you can get from a specialty shop or hardware with a clean cloth. Once you polish, it will appear as good as new.
Conclusion
If you’ve known the meaning of 925 Italy on silver and you’ve known how to identify the genuine from the fake, and even care for it, you can go ahead and purchase one.
If you still have any question or a comment you can leave it below.