What does silver purity mean?
Silver purity is measured in thousandths (parts per 1,000). A piece stamped "950" contains 950 parts pure silver out of 1,000 — that's 95% silver. A piece stamped "999" is 99.9% pure silver, the closest you can get to pure metal.
Most jewelry sold as "sterling silver" is 925 — only 92.5% silver, alloyed with significantly more base metal. At Nativos Jewelry, we don't work with 925. We use 950 and 999 exclusively.
950 Silver: strength meets elegance
950 silver contains 95% pure silver with 5% alloy — typically copper or germanium. That small addition makes a big difference in everyday wear:
- Higher resistance to impact and scratches than 925 or 999
- Keeps its shape under daily stress — ideal for chains and rings
- Brighter, whiter finish than standard sterling
- Less tarnishing compared to 925
If you wear your jewelry every day, 950 is the standard we recommend. It's what most of our Cuban chains, Byzantine chains, and rings are made from.
999 Fine Silver: absolute purity
999 silver — also called "fine silver" — is 99.9% pure. It has a distinctly soft, bright-white appearance. Because there's almost no alloy, the metal is softer and more vulnerable to deformation over time.
- Exceptional purity — visually richer, deeper shine
- Hypoallergenic — ideal for those with metal sensitivities
- Better suited for thick, heavy pieces like wide Cuban links or collector pieces
- Not ideal for thin chains or rings that take daily impact
Which is better for men's jewelry?
It depends on the piece and how you wear it:
- Thin chains, rings, and bracelets worn daily → 950 silver. More durable, holds detail better.
- Wide Cuban chains, thick bracelets, heirloom pieces → 999 silver. The mass of the piece compensates for the softness.
Both are infinitely superior to 925 sterling. The difference isn't just in numbers — you feel it in the weight, the brightness, and how the piece ages over years of wear.
How to verify your silver's purity
Every legitimate silver piece should carry a purity stamp — look for "950" or "999" engraved on the clasp, inside a ring, or on the bracelet clasp. If a seller can't show you the stamp, that's a red flag.
At Nativos Jewelry, every piece comes with a certificate of authenticity. We use only solid silver — no plating, no shortcuts.
The difference you feel before you see it
The real test of a silver piece isn't the price tag — it's how it feels in your hand and how it looks five years from now. Higher purity silver doesn't just sound better on paper. It wears differently, ages differently, and tells a different story.
That's why we built Nativos Jewelry around 950 and 999 silver, handcrafted in Lima, Peru by artisans with five generations of silversmithing tradition.
Browse our collections: Silver Chains · Bracelets · Rings