You can verify a sterling silver claim before paying a deposit using four checks: the hallmark, a density test, a magnet test and a lab assay. No single test proves 925 on its own — use at least two, and always confirm the hallmark wording and the country-of-origin marking in writing.
Most silver disputes we see are not fraud. They are ambiguity: a supplier who genuinely believes 'silver' means silver-filled, silver-plated or 800-grade alloy, and a buyer who assumed 925. Clearing that ambiguity takes a few minutes of testing and one written specification, and it is far cheaper than a rejected container.
What 925 actually means
The number refers to millesimal fineness: 925 parts silver per 1,000, with the remainder usually copper. That 7.5% copper is not a defect — it is what gives sterling silver the hardness needed for prongs, clasps and hinges. Pure fine silver (999) is too soft for most wearable settings.
| Material | Silver content | Typical marking | Buyer risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine silver | 999 | 999, Fine Silver | Too soft for prongs |
| Sterling silver | 925 | 925, S925, STER SIL | Low if specified correctly |
| Silver-filled | 5-10% by weight | 925 SF, Silver Filled | Often sold as sterling |
| Silver plated | Micro-layer | Silver Plated, SP | Wears through quickly |
Four checks you can run before shipping
- Hallmark and origin. Ask for macro photographs of the actual stamp on the finished piece, not on a master sample. Confirm the wording is '925' or 'S925', and that the country of origin is stated if your market requires it.
- Density. Sterling silver sits at roughly 10.36 g/cm3. Weigh the piece, then measure volume by water displacement. A 15-20% deviation points to brass or a steel core.
- Magnet. Sterling silver is not magnetic. A strong pull means a ferrous core; a weak, inconsistent pull can indicate nickel in the plating bath.
- Assay. The decisive test. X-ray fluorescence is non-destructive and takes seconds; fire assay is destructive but definitive.
Make the test report part of the contract, not the argument
Put the assay in the order documents. Specify the standard, the sampling plan — for example, three pieces per SKU per batch — and who pays for a failed result. Holycome publishes silver-content testing results for its 925 sterling silver lines, and the reports are attached to the relevant production batches rather than kept as a one-off marketing document.
Then protect yourself commercially. Tie the balance payment to the inspection result, not to the shipment date, and require that rejected goods are replaced rather than discounted. A supplier confident in its alloy will accept those terms; a supplier who will not accept them has told you something useful.
Two more things worth checking
First, plating and finishing. Rhodium or e-coat over sterling silver is normal and beneficial, but the coating weight should be stated so the piece does not discolour in three months. Second, solder and findings. A 925 body with a base-metal clasp is still a returns problem, so specify that findings match the body grade.
Holycome has manufactured OEM and ODM jewellery for more than 18 years, serving over 100 customers and shipping to more than 100 countries, with its own 800 sqm plating facility. If you want silver content documentation built into your first order from the start, send your specification to service@holycome.com or use our contact form to request a sample and a test report together.
