The 925 Ag is a metal used to make various types of ornaments. Due to its soft nature, it is mixed with other metals like copper and nickel to make it strong and durable as well as improve its look. Therefore, for sterling silver jewelry to qualify to be real it should contain 92.5 percent pure Ag and only 7.5 percent non-Ag metals.
In the market, you will find many ornaments made of 925 Ag. However, the ornament may be made of an overlaying layer of Ag. Such ornaments are considered to have been plated. This process does not qualify the ornaments to be genuine 925 Ag. This is because plated ornaments usually wear out thereby exposing the underlying metal which is of low quality. Due to the many Ag jewels available in the market, it is recommended that you should know different ways of identifying the real ones. Below here are some tips that can be used in identifying genuine items.
The first tactic that can be used is using a magnet on the 925 Ag products. A magnet will be quite using in identifying what to go for. This is because real silver products cannot be attracted by a magnet. Products made of stainless steel are easily attracted by the magnet. Therefore, you should think twice if the product is attracted by a magnet.
Generally a 925 Ag ornament will be marked with . 925, S925 or just 925 on the clasp or even on the underside of the ornament. This is an identification mark engraved during the crafting process of the metal. If your ornament does not bear any of these marks then it is not genuine Ag.
It is recommended that you should use a soft cloth for rubbing the ornament in order to look for the black markings. If you find the markings, then the ornament is original. When 925 Ag is exposed to the air it oxidizes thus, changing the color. The test will not apply for those ornaments that have being plated using platinum.
Another method that can be used is melting. One thing that you should look out for when melting 925 AG is smell. A genuine Ag metal will not develop any smell. If you notice either a brass or copper order, then this is a good indicator that the metal is not genuine. Another guiding factor is the cost. A real Ag ornament comes at a cost. You should think twice especially if your seller offers the ornament at a quite attractive price.
Nitric acid can also be used to test the ornament. If the ornament is Ag-plated or it is a low quality alloy of Ag, when nitric acid is applied on it, it immediately turns green due to the fact that it has high copper content. The real one is supposed to turn to a creamy color when nitric acid is applied. Care should be taken when handling this kind of chemicals because of their toxic nature.
You now have a reason to smile especially if you want to take the easy way out when searching for genuine sterling silver jewelry. This is because there are reputable sellers available both online and locally. The main advantage about dealing with reputable sellers is that they offer quality products. Thus, you are assured of real products. Going for these sellers will help in eliminating all the doubts as well as getting what your heart desires.
In the market, you will find many ornaments made of 925 Ag. However, the ornament may be made of an overlaying layer of Ag. Such ornaments are considered to have been plated. This process does not qualify the ornaments to be genuine 925 Ag. This is because plated ornaments usually wear out thereby exposing the underlying metal which is of low quality. Due to the many Ag jewels available in the market, it is recommended that you should know different ways of identifying the real ones. Below here are some tips that can be used in identifying genuine items.
The first tactic that can be used is using a magnet on the 925 Ag products. A magnet will be quite using in identifying what to go for. This is because real silver products cannot be attracted by a magnet. Products made of stainless steel are easily attracted by the magnet. Therefore, you should think twice if the product is attracted by a magnet.
Generally a 925 Ag ornament will be marked with . 925, S925 or just 925 on the clasp or even on the underside of the ornament. This is an identification mark engraved during the crafting process of the metal. If your ornament does not bear any of these marks then it is not genuine Ag.
It is recommended that you should use a soft cloth for rubbing the ornament in order to look for the black markings. If you find the markings, then the ornament is original. When 925 Ag is exposed to the air it oxidizes thus, changing the color. The test will not apply for those ornaments that have being plated using platinum.
Another method that can be used is melting. One thing that you should look out for when melting 925 AG is smell. A genuine Ag metal will not develop any smell. If you notice either a brass or copper order, then this is a good indicator that the metal is not genuine. Another guiding factor is the cost. A real Ag ornament comes at a cost. You should think twice especially if your seller offers the ornament at a quite attractive price.
Nitric acid can also be used to test the ornament. If the ornament is Ag-plated or it is a low quality alloy of Ag, when nitric acid is applied on it, it immediately turns green due to the fact that it has high copper content. The real one is supposed to turn to a creamy color when nitric acid is applied. Care should be taken when handling this kind of chemicals because of their toxic nature.
You now have a reason to smile especially if you want to take the easy way out when searching for genuine sterling silver jewelry. This is because there are reputable sellers available both online and locally. The main advantage about dealing with reputable sellers is that they offer quality products. Thus, you are assured of real products. Going for these sellers will help in eliminating all the doubts as well as getting what your heart desires.
