The best thing about a silver chain or silver jewellery is that it is a precious ornament as gold but can be obtained at a much cheaper price. Once bought, it stays with us for a lifetime until we sell it to buy a better, upgraded, and more fashionable design in silver. However, with every good aspect, there lies a bad one. No, no. We are neither doubting the silver chain’s quality, nor its existence, but, the jewellery that looks just like it and is made of some non-precious metal.
Today, when we are increasingly buying pure silver jewellery online, the chances of obtaining fake chains are rising. There are many sellers in the market who try to fool customers by replicating silver jewellery, making it from a low-quality metal, and selling it at lower prices. Such jewellery loses its shine in a few days and is more prone to damage.
Hence, customers must check the jewellery at home as soon as they receive them. In the further sections, we will talk about the DIY ways to test your silver chain at home for authenticity. We will also learn about the different types of fake silver jewellery and how authentic silver jewellery is made. So, read till the end.
What are Authentic Silver Chains Made Of?
Did you know that no silver chain contains 100% silver metal?
Yes, that’s true. Just like gold, silver is a soft metal. Hence, it is impossible to make a durable silver chain with pure silver, as it is more prone to tarnish and dents. Hence, silver jewellery manufacturers make silver chains using the silver alloy, called sterling silver.
The sterling silver contains 92.5% silver. Hence, an authentic silver chain contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% a blend of other metals. These metals are typically copper, zinc, or nickel. The 925 sterling silver chain is the best quality chain in the market that customers must look for.
Types of Fake Silver Jewellery That You Must Watch Out
If you’re buying silver jewellery or silver chains online, watch out for the following types of fake jewellery.
Silver Plated Jewellery
The silver-plated chain is not crafted with silver, but a combination of other metals, such as copper, brass, zinc nickel, etc. Once the chain is made, it is painted with a sterling silver coating. Such a chain is not durable, loses its shine quickly and gets tarnished easily. Look for the 925 sterling silver hallmark sign on the chain when you receive it. If it doesn’t contain one, it will likely be silver-plated.
Nickel Jewellery
The nickel-based silver jewellery is another fake silver jewellery which does not contain silver. It is also called German silver jewellery and is made of nickel, zinc, and copper. People with nickel allergies will quickly find out just by wearing it. Such jewellery tarnishes and flakes easily and also loses its allure in a short time. Hence, always look for the 925 sterling silver hallmark sign on the jewellery when you receive it.
Costume Jewellery
Also called Tibetan jewellery, the costume jewellery is neither made from silver nor belongs to Tibet. Instead, it is made from nickel, tin and similar metals and exhibits a vintage silvery appearance.
How to Test The Originality of a Silver Chain at Home?
Now that we have learned what is real silver jewellery composed of and what are types of fake silver jewellery, we will know how to test the delivered silver chain at home for authenticity. Remember that the DIY tests do not guarantee 100% accuracy, hence it is recommended that you perform more than one test to be fully assured. So, here are five tests that can help you know if your silver chain is real or fake.
The Hallmark Stamp Test
The easiest and quickest way to test your silver chain for genuineness is by checking the hallmark stamp, which must be imprinted anywhere on it if it is real. The hallmark marking can be one of the following forms:
- 925
- 925/1000
- STER
- Sterling Silver
- 92.5% pure
- SS
- Sterling
- STG
While the hallmark stamp test is among the most successful tests, however, fake sellers know how to imitate the imprinting. Hence, we recommend doing this test with other tests to be fully assured.
Testing Via Magnets
It is a fact that silver does not attract magnets, unlike iron and a few other metals. To do this test, bring a good strong magnet near to the silver chain and check its reaction. If the chain starts clinging to the magnet, this means that it contains other metals and not silver. On the other hand, if it repels or does not show any reaction, it is a pure silver chain.
How Does It Smell?
Take the smell test if you have an excellent nose. Sniff at the chain to see if you get a dirty metallic odour. These kinds of smells are usually found in old coins. If you can smell it on the silver chain, then it is probably not a pure sterling silver chain.
Check The Polish
We have mentioned this in the above sections too. If you have an imitated silver chain it will lose its allure, turn black, and also tarnish in a few days only. However, you may not have that much waiting time to check the originality. Hence, what you can do is rub the chain with a white cloth and see if leaves a black residue. If it doesn't, it is not a pure silver chain.
Test By A Silver Jeweller
If you are not inclined to do any of the above tests, visit a reputed silver jeweller in your city and get your silver chain checked. Jewellers have the necessary tools and equipment to examine the authenticity of silver jewellery. Hence, they can give you sure-shot answers in no time.
Conclusion
The above information will help you identify the originality when you buy silver chains online or any silver jewellery from a website. For more such tips, stay tuned to Verve Jewels’ blog section.
The joy of buying silver jewellery online is only when you receive a genuine piece at the right price from a reputed designer or seller. At Verve Jewels, you explore both authenticity and trust, along with variety and innovation. So, check out our exclusive designer collection of:
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