Buying silver jewelry is an investment. The problem is that the market is full of silver-plated metal, alpaca, and silver-plated pieces sold as if they were solid silver. If you want to know if what you have—or what you are about to buy—is pure silver, here are five reliable methods.
Why it's important to know
The difference between pure silver and silver-plated metal is not just about price. It's about durability, value, and health. Silver plating wears off in months, exposing base metals that can cause skin reactions. Pure silver, on the other hand, improves with time if properly cared for.
1. Look for the hallmark or purity mark
This is the most reliable method and the first one you should check. Every legitimate silver piece of jewelry should have a number engraved on it indicating its purity:
- 999 → fine silver (99.9% silver)
- 950 → 950 grade silver (95% silver)
- 925 → sterling silver (92.5% silver)
- 800 → low-grade silver (80% silver)
Look for the number on the inside of the ring, on the clasp of the chain, or on the back of the pendant. If there is no mark, it is a significant red flag.
At Nativos Jewelry, all our chains and bracelets have their purity marked and come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
2. The magnet test
Silver is not magnetic. If you bring a powerful magnet close to a piece of jewelry and it is strongly attracted, it is definitely not pure silver.
How to do it:
- Use a neodymium magnet (refrigerator magnets are not powerful enough)
- Slowly bring it close to the piece
- Pure silver should not be attracted at all
Note: this test eliminates ferrous metals, but does not rule out copper or zinc alloys, which are also non-magnetic.
3. The white cloth test
Rub the jewelry with a clean white cloth for a few seconds. If black marks appear on the cloth, it's a good sign—it means the silver is superficially oxidizing upon contact with air, something only real silver does.
If the cloth comes out clean or with marks of another color (gold, greenish), it might be silver-plated metal or alpaca.
4. The ice test
Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of all metals. If you place an ice cube on a piece of pure silver jewelry, the ice will begin to melt immediately, even at room temperature.
How to do it:
- Place the jewelry on a flat surface
- Put an ice cube on top
- Pure silver will make the ice melt visibly faster than on a plastic or common metal surface
5. The certificate of authenticity
More than a test, it's a guarantee. A reputable seller who works with genuine silver has no problem providing documentation that supports the purity of their pieces.
Be wary of sellers who cannot explain the purity of their materials or who use vague terms like "silver-type" or "silver-plated material."
Red flags when buying
- Price too low for the weight of the piece
- No engraved purity marks
- The seller cannot specify the metal's grade
- The jewelry weighs very little (silver is dense)
- Too bright and uniform color (could be plating)
The definitive test: weight
Silver has a density of 10.49 g/cm³. A genuine silver chain of 50cm and 10mm width should weigh between 100 and 300 grams depending on the thickness. If a large chain weighs less than 50 grams, something is not right.
You can see the exact weight of each piece in our Cuban chain collection—we specify it in grams because we know that weight is part of the value.
In summary
The fastest method is to look for the hallmark. The most definitive is to ask for the certificate. If a seller cannot give you either, keep looking.
Nativos Jewelry — Pure silver 950 and 999. Certificate of authenticity with every piece. Handmade Peruvian craftsmanship.
