This article provides some solid ways of testing if your jewellery is authentic silver.
On the online marketplace, you will find many suppliers, independent retailers, and designers offering sterling silver jewellery. The question is, is it real or fake? When parting with your money, you want to be 100% sure you are getting what you pay for. With lots of fakes out there, it’s becoming increasingly important to know what to look for. This article will outline some reliable ways of searching for real silver and staying clear of the fake ones.
If you want to find out more about silver jewellery, reading this article is the perfect place to start. You will discover practical ways of searching for the best silver jewellery and how to keep away from the scammers. Because silver jewellery is an investment, you cannot afford to make mistakes. Whether you are purchasing a silver pendant or a necklace, you need to identify the authenticity of the silver first. Avoid any future disappointment by thinking about the following:
- Think about the price. It’s good to remember that the price you pay can indicate if the silver is sterling or not. Normally the higher price range will reflect the quality of the silver. Also choosing a reliable retailer which has positive customer reviews will always boost your confidence at the point of sale. If you are purchasing online, looking at the retailers, social media pages will give you a good idea of how trustworthy they are.
- White cloth test. If you have the chance to carry out a test to reveal whether it’s fake or real, the white cloth test is reliable. You simply rub a soft white cloth over a part of the necklace or bracelet. If you see any part turn black then you know it is true silver. Sterling silver, commonly marked with 925 as it contains 92.5% pure silver, oxidises when it comes into contact with air. This is why you will get black marks and the jewellery tends to tarnish eventually.
- Testing with nitric acid. This is a reliable test if you are purchasing sterling silver in a store. You can just ask the jeweller before purchase if they can do the nitric acid test. If you see the colour fade, you know it’s fake. However, if the shade remains the same, you can tell it is 925 sterling silver. If you do this test, ensure you are safe by wearing gloves and protecting your eyes at all times. If the jeweller refuses and they have no other way of proving its authenticity, this may be a good sign that you need to look elsewhere.
- How does it smell? If you buy authentic silver, it won’t have any particular smell. If you catch a strong smell it may indicate it’s a fake. A strong smell will indicate heavy use of other metals such as copper.
So if you are searching for the perfect gift for someone and you want to make sure you are buying real silver, these tests will help illuminate any fakes. Thinking about the particular jewellery piece may be hard however. If you are searching for handmade silver stud earrings designed and made by Silver by Mail, you can be sure that their selection contains only authentic silver. To boost your confidence, you also have a guarantee and return policy when you buy jewellery from them.
This is another way you can tell whether a seller is offering you fake or real pieces. With real silver, due to the higher price, you will often get a satisfaction guarantee. If you are not happy, all is not lost as you have a certain amount of days to return.
So next time you are searching for stunning sterling jewellery, carry out those tests to make sure you are getting the real deal. It could save you time, money, and disappointment.
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