Which silver standard is better 925 or 999

999 silver

The use and extraction of silver dates back to ancient times. Then it was considered a sacred metal that allows one to escape from evil spirits. This metal was considered a reflection of the moon and was often used in rites and rituals. Later in the 13th century it was actively used as a material for the production of tableware.

For the most part, silver is mined from various ores. After this, it is treated with acidic compounds and the silver powder is separated using filter plates. This happens until 999 silver is produced. Such an alloy may contain a small proportion of impurities, for example copper (0.08%), gold (0.09%), platinum (0.05%).

Further processing occurs using electrochemical or mechanical polishing. This removes the top dull layer of silver, and the metal becomes smoother and more sparkling.

There are quite a lot of silver deposits around the world. It is mined in Mexico, China, USA, Russia and many other countries. However, most of the silver comes from complex deposits where silver occurs as a by-product.

How is it different from other alloys?

It is generally accepted that 999 silver is the highest standard of silver. Such an alloy contains practically no impurities, but if there are any, it is a very small proportion.

It is necessary to point out that due to the purity of the alloy, the material is very ductile and soft. 999 sterling silver items will quickly become scratched, chipped, dented, and possibly stained. Since the material is easily deformed, it is almost impossible to use in the production of jewelry and cutlery.

999 silver is highly reflective. This allows the material to be used for the production of reflective surfaces to produce high-precision mirrors.

Areas of application of 999 silver

Pure 999 silver has found its application in many areas of human life:

• In medicine;
• In the production of storage facilities;
• In the production of medical equipment and prostheses, medicines;
• In jewelry.

This is not a complete list of uses of 999 silver.

It should be noted that it is used quite rarely in jewelry. And if it is used, it is on an individual order, or as part of a decoration. This is due to the characteristic features of the alloy. After all, jewelry made entirely of pure silver can become deformed even from a handshake.

The plasticity of pure silver allows it to be used in the production of parts for technical devices. Thanks to this property, it can be stretched into a thin long thread or a very thin plate.

Most often, pure 999 silver is used for smelting bars. Such bars are used by banks as objects of profitable investment. Commemorative coins are also often made from pure silver.

It is this sample that is used as raw material for silver-plated products. This technique is used for finishing jewelry, dishes, decorative items, boxes and furniture. Silver looks great on glasses and cups.  

Can pure silver oxidize?

999 silver is almost not susceptible to external chemical attack. Unlike gold, it does not dissolve in aqua regia. Special acids and alkalis are used for dissolution.

However, during production, oxygen is added to the alloy, which promotes subsequent oxidation. Silver often oxidizes and turns black even from contact with human skin. After some time after exposure through sweat, it may become covered with a coating, which is quite easy to remove.

Blackening can also occur from interaction with sulfur. It is always present in the air and even in human sweat. Such an oxidation reaction may indicate that a person is sick with something, for example, cardiovascular disease, dysfunction of the kidneys, liver, or nervous system.

The degree and intensity of oxidation will depend on the quality of the alloy. Copper or iron is often added to the 999 fine alloy. Depending on these additional components, silver will react faster and slower with the external environment. But it is worth noting that the 999 grade alloy tarnishes and darkens much more slowly than other lower grades.

How to clean 999 silver yourself

As silver is constantly worn, it begins to tarnish. To return your jewelry to its original appearance, you can use several simple methods.

For the first method, you will need a toothbrush and toothpaste. But remember that pure silver is a fairly soft material, so the brush should be extremely soft. When cleaning, do not rub the item too hard, as scratches and microcracks may appear, which can quickly damage the jewelry.

For the following method you need to use:

• Small saucepan;
• 2 tablespoons of soda;
• 500 ml water;
• A piece of foil.

Dilute soda in water and put on fire. When the solution boils, place silver jewelry and a piece of foil into it. Boil them for 15-17 minutes or soak overnight. Then remove and polish with a soft cloth.

Regular lipstick is a very effective remedy. However, this method has a slight drawback; it is only suitable for smooth surfaces. But still, this method perfectly cleans the surface. Simply rub the lipstick onto a cotton pad and polish the jewelry. The blackness will disappear right before your eyes.

How to distinguish pure silver from fake

When purchasing a 999 silver item, be sure to pay attention to the hallmark. Most often, if there is no hallmark, it means that it is not silver jewelry, or it is not certified.

To check the authenticity of silver, you can use a magnet. Since silver does not have magnetic properties, it can easily be distinguished from other alloys by this method.

An effective way to determine a sample is with special chemicals. If, when the substance is applied to the surface of the product, it acquires a bright red tint, then this is 999 silver. The darker the color, the lower the grade will be. In this gradation, the surface may even acquire a green tint. But if the color turns yellow, it’s definitely not silver.

What does pure silver go with?

999 silver is almost never used to make jewelry. Its softness does not allow you to attach any stones or create a ligature or pattern.

If decorations are created, they turn out to be quite bulky. Although most often such an alloy is used not as the basis of decoration, but as part of the decor.

In some cases, at the request of the client, silver jewelry can be inlaid with various precious and semi-precious stones. Agate, jade, onyx, morion and others are most suitable. Pearls are used quite often. This is a universal stone that will suit any alloy.

Source: https://mysamocvet.ru/metally/999-proba-serebra/

Sterling Silver

Today, the jewelry industry is at a stage of development where it is not difficult to sell one precious alloy after another. Silver items are processed in such a way that they are difficult to distinguish from gold items.

This is why buyers often encounter fraud when purchasing gold-plated silver instead of gold. How to protect yourself from counterfeiting and buy original jewelry?

What are the hallmarks of silver and gold?

Before defining the concept of “sample,” let’s find out what properties the metals mined for use in the jewelry industry have. In their pure form, both silver and gold are substances that are of little use for the production of jewelry.

• Pure gold is an extremely soft ductile metal; it is susceptible to mechanical stress and quickly loses its original shape and appearance.
• Silver is a hard, but ductile metal.

To give gold and silver the required physical properties, special jewelry silver and gold-containing alloys are made. The main (though not always) share in them is the precious metal, and the remainder is alloying substances.

It is the ratio of the alloy that determines the future properties of the alloy: its color, ductility, hardness, wear resistance.

Fineness is a numerical indicator of the gold or silver content in an alloy, expressed in thousandths. For example, a sample of 585 indicates that out of a thousand parts of the alloy, 585 are directly gold, and the remaining 415 are alloy. If we convert the sample into a percentage, we get 58.5% and 41.5%, respectively.

Higher the standard - more precious metal in the alloy, higher its price. Alloying substances can be palladium, platinum, copper, nickel. They also affect the cost of the product: for example, nickel admixture is several times cheaper than platinum.

Today, Russian standards have adopted the following hallmarks for gold: 375, 500, 585, 750, 958, 996, 999. The standard range of silver hallmarks is as follows: 750, 800, 875, 916, 925, 960, 999. Thus, knowing these indicators, you can determine the type of precious metal without the help of a specialist and, possibly, save money.

925 standard: gold or silver?

Having studied a number of samples, it is easy to guess that there is no gold with the hallmark 925. And the metal passed off as white gold is silver.

Frequent fraud involving the substitution of concepts can be explained in terms of profit: white gold costs much more than silver. Several methods are used to obtain real white gold. One of them involves the use of alloying substances (platinum or palladium) in certain proportions, the other involves coating a gold product with a thin layer of radium - a substance that is an order of magnitude more expensive than gold itself.

Silver treated in a special way or plated with gold is successfully sold as white gold, bringing a good profit.

Jewelry and price per gram

If a jewelry store offers you 925 sterling silver, you can safely purchase the jewelry.

925 silver is one of the highest quality among jewelry silver alloys. It is used to produce products with diamonds and other white and blue stones such as topaz and sapphires.

In more budget jewelry, artificial diamonds - cubic zirconia - are inserted. White metal perfectly frames transparent colorless crystals or gems of cold shades. In such rings, earrings or pendants, the cost is determined not only by the weight of the silver, but also by the price of the stones themselves.

The cost of products without inserts - chains or bracelets - is calculated taking into account the price per gram of metal and labor fees. The price per gram of 925 silver today is in the range of 100-120 rubles .

No matter how beautiful the jewelry is, remember to be careful. When purchasing gold jewelry, pay attention to the sample. A simple series of tests will help you avoid unnecessary expenses.

Source: https://jeland.ru/serebro/serebro-925-proby.htm

999 silver

Precious metals are soft and ductile. You can often find an example that one gram of silver can be pulled into a two-kilometer long thin wire, and this is true. In its pure form, its use as products is almost never found. Large items made from 999 sterling silver simply will not hold their shape. To increase strength, alloys or inserts from other materials are used.

The cost of a product, determined by its artistic value, the price of work and the cost of metals and stones, is higher the higher the gold or silver content in it. When it comes to the net value of silver, the higher the hallmark number, the more expensive the silver.

Silver alloys vary from country to country. In Russia, six types of samples are accepted, from 800 to 999. The highest standard is considered to be 999 in the metric system of measurements.

This means that 1 gram of alloy contains 999 mg of pure silver and 1 mg of impurities, that is, this sample is almost no different from pure silver. The purest composition of silver is 999 silver; it is almost impossible to achieve a 100% purity level.

The composition of 999 silver in the karat system will be 24 carats, that is, the mass of the main noble metal is 0.999 of the total weight of the alloy.

What does pure silver look like?

At the time of casting, the color of 999 silver is very light, silver, even white. This is no accident. Polished pure silver has the rare optical property of almost completely reflecting light throughout the entire visible range, so without polishing it is truly white. With polishing you will get a real mirror! And today the most expensive mirrors are made with a silver surface protected by glass.

Does .999 silver tarnish?

Pure silver should not darken in air. 999 silver does not oxidize in air, its color remains unchanged. If a change does occur, it means that the air is polluted with the presence of hydrogen sulfide, there are industrial emissions, or there are oil fields nearby. The fact is that under the influence of sulfur and its oxides, silver is covered with a thin, dull, gradually blackening film. It can be cleaned, but do not use abrasives that remove the top layer.

Use of sterling silver

Silver of such a high standard is not suitable for making jewelry. The maximum standard that is still “used” is 925. And the 999th standard is usually used as bank bullion.

In addition, products made from 999 silver are widely used in physics, chemistry, electrical engineering, medicine and other fields of science and technology. Many people have heard about silver-cadmium or silver-zinc batteries, especially reliable contacts in electrical circuits, and finally, about the properties of silver to purify water, which is actively used in medicine.

Quite often, old contacts and other items made of 999 silver are collected in technology and sold at the precious metals scrap rate. In this case, special procedures for determining the purity of the composition are required for evaluation.

The cost of pure silver

Since financiers use pure silver, it makes sense to ask how much 999 silver costs. The question is complex, since silver, like other precious metals, is included in quotations; its rate is constantly changing and depends on the rates of the dollar, euro and national currencies. The current price can be found on the Central Bank website.

The Central Bank exchange rate for the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016 can be viewed here:

and the chart of silver prices on Forex in the last year is here:

However, you need to understand that, as with exchange rates, the price rate for pure 999 silver may change in each bank that can work with precious metals. You can also hand over silver to a pawnshop at different prices, which are set by each pawnshop.

Therefore, if you decide to improve your finances by handing over a silver bar, it is better to first ask how much 999 silver costs in buying/pawn shops in different places and choose the most favorable conditions for yourself.

Source: https://dragmettrade.ru/49-serebro-999-proby.html

Italian silver: properties and features - Natural Treasures

For two centuries, Italy has been the undisputed trendsetter in jewelry fashion. It was in this southern country that at the beginning of the nineteenth century the first jewelry houses appeared, specializing in the manufacture of mass-produced fashion items from precious metals.

Following centuries-old traditions, the secrets of metal processing passed down from generation to generation, the constant search for innovative technologies, the expressiveness of the southern temperament, imagination and creative originality - in combination, all these factors have formed a well-recognized Italian style of jewelry, which for many years has enjoyed constant popularity among the fair sex. , and the strong half of humanity.

It should be noted that the global financial crisis of recent years has made some adjustments to the jewelry preferences of the population around the world. In particular, the leading position in popularity is now occupied by more affordable Italian silver, which has taken the palm from more expensive gold and platinum.

Thus, silver chains, bracelets, earrings, pendants and rings from Italian jewelry craftsmen are recognized as the best in the world not because of their cheapness compared to more expensive precious metals, but because of their high artistry, exclusivity, creativity, extraordinary design and consistent high quality workmanship. Thus, silver from Italy is currently the most popular jewelry in the world.

That is why each new collection of silver jewelry by Italian masters is the object of close attention for all connoisseurs of high craftsmanship in jewelry.

History of Italian silver jewelry

Silver began to be used in Italy as a material for making jewelry more than three thousand years ago.

The Etruscan tribes living at that time on the territory of modern Italy developed the first silver mines and achieved unprecedented skill and grace in processing this metal, using not only casting techniques, but also granulation techniques, which they adopted from the eastern peoples, when making jewelry.

Mastery of this technique allowed Etruscan craftsmen to create silver items with any design by gradually welding small pieces of metal onto a base plate. By the way, the secrets of the Etruscan granulation technique were lost and were not used for many centuries, until they were restored by Italian jewelry craftsmen in the nineteenth century.

Silver jewelry was most popular in ancient times during the times of Ancient Rome, since until the beginning of our era, the wearing of gold jewelry was strictly regulated by state laws. Because of this, earrings, rings and a chain made of silver were the most common jewelry of that time.

The aggressive policy of the Roman Empire contributed to the development of new techniques in silver processing by jewelers. It was the traditions of the jewelry art of the conquered peoples that had a significant influence on the formation of the Italian style in the manufacture of silver jewelry of that time.

Thus, for example, jewelers mastered the technique of blackening and openwork cut-out patterns. Another significant milestone in the history of the development of jewelry in Italy was the Renaissance.

Silver jewelry from the time of Benvenuto Cellini was an eclectic combination of the revived jewelry traditions of antiquity and the ostentatious luxury and decorativeness of Baroque and Mannerism, the dominant styles of art at that time.

Thus, the long-term popularity of modern Italian silver is partly explained by the centuries-old experience and accumulated knowledge of jewelers of previous eras.

Currently in Italy there are many large and small jewelry houses and companies specializing in the production of silver jewelry, which have their own traditions and jealously guarded secrets in the production of jewelry.

The advantage of coating Italian silver products

The jewelry art of making silver jewelry varies greatly in different countries due to different metal processing technologies and the direct manufacture of products.

However, Italian silver is not only about centuries-old traditions, impeccable metal quality and original design, it is also a special galvanic coating that provides jewelry with shine, durability and resistance to the environment.

The most famous methods of galvanic processing of silver jewelry used by Italian craftsmen are silvering, gilding, blackening and rhodium plating.

Italian methods of galvanic coating treatment

Silvering technology involves applying the thinnest layer of 999.9 pure silver to earrings, bracelets, chains and other products. Silver jewelry with this coating is distinguished by its light metal color and resistance to oxidation, that is, it does not darken even after prolonged use.

Rhodium electroplating involves applying a very thin layer of rhodium to the surface of jewelry. Silver jewelry processed in this way acquires a light, shiny color, which ensures the harmonious compatibility of the setting with diamonds and cubic zirconia, as well as the ability not to blacken over time and not cause allergic reactions.

Blackened silver jewelry is particularly highly decorative. The blue-black color of the products is obtained by coating the product with a special composition, the recipe of which is individual for each jewelry house. The fashion trend at the moment is gold-plated silver.

The current incredible popularity of gilded silver is also associated with the influence of the financial crisis, however, such “fraud” allows you to look respectable in the eyes of others and does not require large financial investments.

Source: https://22av.ru/osobennosti/italyanskoe-serebro-svojstva-i-osobennosti.html

Characteristics and features of 925 silver

Jewelry will never go out of fashion, and all because it not only looks elegant, but is also durable. In addition, items made from gold and silver are considered profitable investments as prices for precious metals are constantly rising. It is known that not a single metal is used in its pure form to make jewelry.

Both gold and silver are superplastic metals, so in the jewelry industry they are strengthened with impurities, or alloys. Therefore, to determine the precious metal content of an alloy, the metric system of samples is used (a sample is a measure that demonstrates how many grams of precious metal are contained in a kilogram of alloy).

Many people wonder which metal is 925 standard: silver or gold?

925 silver ring

Samples of gold and silver

In Russia and the CIS countries, the metric system of samples of precious metals is used to assess the authenticity of gold and silver. All jewelry sold in the markets of these countries can be assigned the following hallmarks: 375, 500, 585, 750, 958. There is also a hallmark of 999, which is typical for pure metal.

As for hallmark 925, this mark is valid only for silver. In addition to such markings, the following are available for hallmarking silver products: 800, 830, 875, 960, 999 (pure metal).

Many people are confused when they see gold jewelry with 925 purity on the counter of a jewelry store, and it is sold at an attractive price for this precious metal.

In fact, such a product will be silver, and the resemblance to gold in this case is achieved thanks to gilding (gold plating).

If a seller presents a product with the 925 mark as gold, then you can safely walk away from it, since such a statement is nothing more than a deception. By the way, 975 standard also refers to silver.

The composition of 925 silver is as follows:

• 925 grams, or 92.5%, is the precious portion;
• 75 grams, or 7.5%, is the alloy represented by copper.

Copper is considered an ideal alloy for making such an alloy, since it gives silver strength.

A metal with this composition is considered high-grade. It differs significantly from low-grade silver, which has a yellow tint.

800 yellow silver is used to make cutlery, while the high sterling alloy is successfully used to make fine jewelry - chains, rings, brooches, earrings, bracelets, etc.

However, this alloy is also suitable for the production of silverware and decorative items, because 925 sterling silver is durable and wear-resistant. In addition, this metal is in harmony with precious and semi-precious stones - cubic zirconia, turquoise, etc.

925 silver has one more feature - this metal is called sterling silver. The name of the alloy suggests that it has some relation to the pound sterling.

The history of 925 silver begins in the twelfth century. At that time, in England there was a silver coin in circulation - sterling. Sterling money could be used to buy valuable household items, jewelry and other luxury attributes. 240 silver coins weighed the same as 1 pound. But if such a number of coins weighed less, then this gave reason to believe that the sterling was counterfeit.

There is also a second version of the origin of the metal. In Northern Germany, it was used to make special coins that facilitated trade operations with England.

Gold plated 925 silver

Fakes

It is known that 925 silver is associated with high-quality jewelry, but often there are advertisements on the Internet according to which the buyer is offered the purchase of such products brought from China.

Particularly attractive in such offers is the cost of the products - it is lower than the price at which jewelry is sold in jewelry stores. For this reason, many people believe the advertisements of Chinese silver and spend their savings on purchasing it.

Such a decision can hardly be called successful, since silver offered at a price below market value is, in most cases, counterfeit. In addition, products made from such metal quickly tarnish and acquire a dark tint, uncharacteristic of genuine silver.

Often, 925 silver is offered to buyers as the now fashionable white gold, and the price for such products really does not differ from that of elite gold. White gold resembles silver in appearance, but with the help of certain techniques you can distinguish one metal from another and have no doubt whether it is silver or gold:

1. Iodine: you need to take the product and carefully draw a thin stroke on it with iodine. It will not be absorbed into gold, which means it will not damage the metal. As for silver, iodine will immediately leave dark spots on it.
2. Sheet of paper: Silver is softer when compared to gold. This property of the metal can be used to distinguish it from white gold. You should take a blank sheet of paper and run the product over it. If it is silver, there will be streaks on the paper. As for gold, it will not leave such traces, and this is all due to its hardness.
3. Acid: to test, take a glass of vinegar, into which the product being tested is then dipped. If the jewelry has changed shade, then a priori it cannot be gold, since gold does not react to vinegar. If the vinegar has completely become cloudy, then there is no doubt that the product does not contain precious metal.

To protect yourself from buying counterfeit silver, you should refuse to purchase jewelry from private individuals, even if they offer their goods at a price that is lower than the market price. Preference should be given to retail outlets that have existed in the jewelry market for many years, and therefore have an impeccable reputation. In addition, well-known jewelry stores and salons offer customers certified products, the quality of which can be rest assured.

We recommend other articles

Source: https://DedPodaril.com/zoloto/klejma/925-probaserebra.html

Properties, composition and price of 925 silver

04.11.2018

Silver is a unique metal for creating beautiful jewelry and decorative items. But its softness and light color are also signs of the fragility of the products.

Therefore, craftsmen add a ligature to the main raw material - additional elements for strength, and the mark on the alloy shows how much pure argentum was used.

The most popular now is 925 sterling silver - this is no coincidence.

Multifaceted mysterious metal

The Soviet Union believed that it was a rather dull, steel-colored alloy with blackened inclusions, and they were distrustful of the sparkling snow-white products from Italy. In fact, silver has many shades and markings, and both the color and the percentage of pure raw materials depend on the composition of the alloy.

Since silver jewelry creations are most often counterfeited, you need to know exactly what the numbers on their inner surface mean so as not to become a victim of deception.

Many people know the basic data of jewelry markings, but when buying rings or cutlery, they do not quite understand which standard of silver is better - 925 or 999.

Digital marking system

There is a digital labeling system generally accepted in most countries.

It has existed in Russia since 1925 and shows not only how many grams of raw materials are in a kilogram of the alloy from which the product is made, but also determines its properties and features.

Since silver is a universal metal that is used both in jewelry and in the production of dishes, cutlery, bladed weapons, interior decor, and medical equipment, you need to know what digital engraving means:

• 720 - looks like cupronickel, rapid oxidation and poor moisture resistance, susceptible to corrosion. Used for technical inserts, locks and zippers, and decorating furniture handles.
• 800, 825, 830 - despite 80% of the main raw material, it has a gray-yellow tint and oxidizes quickly. High plasticity allows you to decorate cutlery and interior elements made from it with exquisite designs, which need to be polished frequently.
• 875 - soft gray color, increased durability. Used for household appliances, inexpensive jewelry, often with gold trim.
• 925 - ideal ratio of raw materials and master alloy, high ductility and wear resistance. Practically does not oxidize, has a light color and bright shine. You can use it to make jewelry of the finest jewelry, cups and wine glasses, figurines and watches. Widely used in the production of medical equipment and in coinage.
• 960 - similar in appearance to 925, but less durable. It is used to make custom jewelry, as well as money clips and cufflinks.
• 999 is an almost pure silver nugget. However, it is useless for jewelry and weapons making, but it is used by order of banks for coins and bullion, as well as for dental equipment and artistic work.

Without a doubt, the finest standard of silver is 925 and there is no reason to look for 999 when purchasing jewelry. In foreign countries it corresponds to a measurement of 23 carats.

Elite composition

Silver of this quality is considered elite. It is stronger than gold and almost equal to it in beauty and price. Abroad, it is called sterling, by analogy with the British pound. In medieval England, the weight of 250 23 carat coins was equal to 1 pound. If low-grade alloys were used during minting, the coins weighed less, and their owner could be declared a counterfeiter. Since then, the sterling composition has been considered elite.

Many newlyweds order wedding rings made of 925 sterling silver, considering it worthy of such a mission. There are many options for jewelry decor for such jewelry:

• laser engraving for a diamond shine effect;
• matte coating to give a rich white color;
• double polishing for a dazzling shine;
• weaving a solid warp with thin threads;
• decoration with gems and precious stones.

Despite the fact that the distinctive color of elite raw materials is white, there are other options that are marked with the same numbers. Outwardly they look different, but this does not affect the quality of the composition. These include the following varieties:

• Filigree - welded from the smallest elements, threads and spirals into one piece of jewelry.
• Blackened - treated with lead oxide to darken individual parts as intended by the designer or for mystical reasons. In medieval Rus', amulets were created this way.
• With enamel - after blackening, the products were traditionally decorated with multi-colored enamel. Similar equipment is still found in Russia, but is considered rare. Sometimes it is used to create children's jewelry.
• Matte - full or partial spraying to create a rough surface in different shades of white and gray.

If you know what 925 sterling silver looks like, you can safely choose any design without worrying about the quality.

These numbers should be clearly visible, and they are most often placed on the inner surface of large items and on the locks of thin and small jewelry. In Russia, an asterisk with a sickle and crescent may be depicted next to the sample number, and in England - the head of a queen.

Italian luxury

Many Russians, accustomed to blackened silver, for a long time considered Italian silver to be a fake. The bad attitude was facilitated by second-hand sales on black markets, but as soon as the white metal appeared in the windows of jewelry stores in the late 90s, the beauty and sophistication of the style overcame all doubts. Italy has indeed been a monopolist on the silver market for three centuries; in stores in this country it is impossible to buy silver below 925 purity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrB9y-aUNEE

The jewelry techniques and techniques of Italian masters are different from all others. They have their own special style, minting and engraving techniques, many of which are not disclosed to this day.

The main secret of success is the special galvanic treatment of products. This includes the following techniques:

• Double silvering - a decent layer of pure 999 metal is applied on top of the base. This is done not only for beauty, but also for the durability of the decoration, because raw materials without impurities do not oxidize when in contact with water or air.
• Blackening - the technique differs from the Russian one; the composition used to melt the base contains similar components - lead, copper, sulfur and cadmium, but the technology itself is developed by the master individually for each large store or fashion house. The blue-black finish and provocative design make these pieces incredibly popular.
• Rhodium plating - having many of the characteristics of platinum, rhodium not only protects silver from darkening and oxidation, but also makes products made from it look like platinum.
• Gilding is a signature Italian style. A thin layer of high-quality gold is sprayed onto the silver surface of jewelry or tableware, creating not only a unique design, but also the effect of gold at the price of silver. The coverage can be complete or partial, but the standard will be the same - 925.

Italian jewelers love to create jewelry with precious stones, both synthetically created and natural - rubies, sapphires, amethysts, citrines, peridots and multi-colored pearls. The universal talisman is an emerald set in silver, but diamonds are set exclusively in gold.

Quality under control

If gold-plated jewelry, watches, or teaspoons are 925, then it is silver, even if the seller claims it is pure gold. If the numbers 585 are engraved next to each other, then this should also raise red flags, since samples of different metals are not placed side by side. This type of fraud is designed for gullible people who do not have information.

Several effective experiments

However, the engraving itself is quite easy to fake, so there are several ways in which you can independently identify a fake. All stores in the world have a two-week guarantee rule. During this time, you can return the purchase back if there is evidence or doubt about its authenticity. There are several proven methods that can be used both in the store and at home. To do this you will need simple materials at hand:

• magnet - it will not attract high-quality alloy, but will react to iron, which should not be in the composition;
• iodine - it is better to check after making a purchase and on the inside, since iodine will leave a dark mark on real silver;
• chalk - its influence darkens the white metal, so you need to thoroughly rub the surface and wait 5 minutes;
• white paper - if you run a silver ring over it, a gray line will appear.

There is also a reliable test option using sulfur ointment. You need to lightly rub the surface with fine-grained sandpaper and apply a drop of ointment to this area. After 5 minutes, you can wipe it off with a clean cloth and see if a dark spot appears. Brass, cupronickel, aluminum will remain unchanged and only the noble metal will change color. The stain can be easily removed with toothpaste or a regular eraser.

Cost calculation

Noble metals do not depreciate even over time. It is considered profitable to make long-term investments by buying gold and silver coins and bars. In 2018, Sberbank prices for 1 gram of metal are approximately 30 rubles.

You can rely on this price when you are in another country, since the data is updated in accordance with quotes from international exchanges, but it will only be relevant for purchases at a bank. For jewelry, there is a different calculation system; several factors must be assessed and summarized:

• 1 gram of pure raw materials;
• degree of complexity of the jeweler’s work;
• gems and precious stones, if they are part of the product;
• taxes;
• profit of the seller and the store itself.

Thus, any decoration, cutlery, figurine, will cost much more than the material from which they are made. Another 30-50% is added to this cost if the product is sold under the name of a well-known brand.

In Russia, they usually write the cost of the entire product, calculated together with the manufacturer and store owner. In stores in other countries, jewelry is weighed on jewelry scales in the presence of the buyer and multiplied by cost, taking into account labor and the purchase price.

In Italy and Turkey you can get a discount that will never exceed 30% of the announced price.

Simple rules of care

Silver rarely darkens in dry climates, but can turn black after a month when in contact with sweaty skin and high humidity in the air. Do not apply cream or spray perfume on those parts of the body where there is silver jewelry.

It is also believed that the metal has protective energy properties, protecting its owner from negative energy from intruders. Sudden darkening may mean a targeted evil eye or a deterioration in health that has not yet been noticed by the person. In any case, it would be a good idea to get checked by a doctor and then clean the metal of dark deposits. It's quite easy to do this:

• soak overnight in a foamy solution of laundry soap, rinse and wipe with a soft cloth;
• thoroughly clean the surface with a regular eraser, erasing the blackness to its original color;
• immerse for a couple of hours in a solution of ammonia at the rate of 1 teaspoon per liter of water, rinse and wipe dry.

These methods are not suitable for jewelry with a matte finish and blackened silver. They should be updated in workshops.

Jewelry stores also sell special wipes soaked in a ready-made composition for cleaning silver items. If the goal is to restore the original shine, then you cannot do without professional polishing, which is impossible to do at home, but after a couple of hours of work by a master, the product will look like new.

Properties, composition and price of 925 silver Link to main publication

Source: https://VseoMetallah.ru/serebro/svojstva-sostav-925-proby

፠ What does 925 sample mean?

When buying a precious piece of jewelry, we pay attention to many factors. If we don’t touch on price and design now, then the sample comes to the fore. What is it and what do the little numbers on the inside of the product mean?

Gold, silver, platinum and other metals, from which precious jewelry is made, are never used in their pure form. And it is the hallmark mark that means exactly how much precious metal was used to produce the blank for the jewelry.

The markings adopted in our country clearly indicate what kind of metal is in front of us. And the law on “stamping” stipulates what standard should be on what metal. If we are talking about silver, then the highest standard will be 925.

Attention! All the talk that 925 standard can stand on gold is completely wrong. However, you can find such information on the Internet. It may come from unscrupulous or incompetent sellers.

How much precious metal is in the product

Gold is an incredibly soft metal. In order for it to be possible to work with it, the stones are held firmly, and the gold ring on your hand does not turn into a shapeless mass after a year, a ligature is added to the alloy.

Most often it is copper, silver, nickel. Palladium, platinum and rhodium can be added to give gold a white color. And, although fewer products are produced from white gold, it occupies its share in the popular jewelry niche.

Today, 585 standard gold is used in products. This means that only 58.5% of the product contains actual gold. But there are also 370, 500, 750 and 958 samples.

The lower the sample number, the more the shade of the metal changes. For example, in the 370 sample there is as much as 67% copper alloy, and only 37% gold. This metal will have a red color. It is not popular in our country, so it is rarely used in work. It can be easily imported from countries in Middle Asia, including India.

925 gold standard – where the legs come from

To create an alloy in which 92.5% gold is technically possible. And yes, it will theoretically have a hallmark of 925. But this alloy will be quite soft, and in order for it to be used in jewelry, platinum or palladium is added as an alloy. The result is white gold.

Again, if this is not done, then such a 925 alloy will have its drawbacks and, first of all, the very high price of the metal itself. Externally, a product with 925 purity will not look any better than a standard 585 carat, but the service life will be reduced. As we know, gold is a soft metal that is easy to bend, scratch, and so on. An alloy marked 925 will have a yellowish tint, be expensive, and deteriorate very quickly.

925 sterling silver - what's the highlight?

What about silver? Silver is much denser than gold and is added to give strength to the metal. Today, the highest standard for silver is 925. It is also called sterling silver. It consists of an alloy of 95.2% silver and 7.5% alloy.

There are also higher standards for silver. For example, 999 standard, which is used to build spacecraft, but it is not applicable for making jewelry.

916 standard is ideal for making cutlery. This is a durable alloy of silver and copper that does not darken over time.

Products made from 925 sterling silver are often rhodium plated. It gives the jewelry resistance to damage and, most importantly, a unique shine.

So what's the catch in testing?

The fact is that white gold is very easy to confuse with 925 silver if both products are plated with rhodium. In this case, there are several possibilities to determine what is in front of you - gold or silver. This is easy to do if you know a few nuances.

• Silver and gold have different grades. We talked about them above. And, if you buy a product in hand, then first of all look inside. In gold jewelry, the hallmark is placed in an oval recess, while the silver hallmark is placed in a barrel-shaped figure.
• As we have established, there is no such thing as 925 gold . Therefore, we take a magnifying glass and examine the mark.
• Let's look at the weight . Silver products are always more massive than gold ones. After all, in order to make, for example, a gold ring more affordable, the manufacturer makes it inflated. It turns out that if you take a product made of gold and silver of the same size and style, then the silver one will weigh more.
• The price of white gold is several times higher than that of silver . If you are offered to buy a weighty white gold item at a low price, then most likely this is a scam.

If you buy jewelry secondhand, it is quite difficult at first, and even at second glance, to determine what is in front of you. There is another danger that instead of 925 silver, they will give you ordinary shiny metal or low-grade silver. And, if it is not possible to check the silver sample, then you can always check whether it is silver.

There are many ways to distinguish silver from counterfeit. Below are three of them.

• Magnet check. Silver has no magnetic properties. It just won't attract. Most metals react to a magnet.
• Properly processed silver will not leave any marks on a piece of paper if you move the jewelry over it. If a dark mark remains on your fingers after you have rubbed it in your hands, feel free to return it to the seller.
• Silver is a powerful heat conductor. If you put earrings or a ring in boiling water, it will instantly become the same temperature as the water in the pan.

And the most important and important way, which is available to everyone, is to buy jewelry only in specialized stores. In this case, you don’t have to look at the tag or take out a magnifying glass, trying to figure out whether it’s 925 or 585?

Jewelry stores value their reputation. Therefore, they will not sell you a fake.

Online stores – can you trust them?

Technologies are developing faster than we can keep up with them. Today, the number of online stores that offer jewelry, including those with 925 purity, is huge.

We are accustomed to trusting most sellers, because today both the site itself and its promotion are expensive. Well, who will sell us a fake if the site is ahead of most others. And everything seems to be clear and understandable.

And then there is Chinese gold, which has a high purity and a low price, and the delivery conditions are attractive. Chinese silver has a lower standard. In fact, it's not worth the money spent on it. Today you can inexpensively buy silver with 925 purity, and at the same time know for sure that you have bought precious jewelry.

So how not to buy a pig in a poke? Firstly, all major retailers have their own brick-and-mortar stores. Why is it important? Because no jeweler or jewelry factory will work with someone who does not have a store to sell.

Secondly, the age of the site. It is always easy to check by running a link to the site in certain programs in Google. There are many of them, easy to find. If the site was created recently, its prices are very attractive, delivery conditions are excellent, but you are asked for an advance payment - feel free to say goodbye to it. Most likely, there is nothing in this online store.

The Golden Sphinx offers a huge selection of jewelry for all occasions. Available in white gold, 925 sterling silver, and diamond items. You can always choose what you need without leaving the couch. At the same time, you are guaranteed to receive exactly the precious metal product that you ordered.

Source: https://xn----mtbechcrdba9adf6a.com/news/chto-znachit-925-proba.htm

925 gold: does it exist?

Before talking about the properties that the legendary 925 gold has, it is worth remembering what this numerical designation actually means. In jewelry, this indicator indicates the number of parts of pure metal per 1000 parts of alloy. Thus, the number 925 should indicate almost pure metal with a minimum amount of impurities.

Gold samples and their features

Now let's think about the common types of gold.

• The cheapest alloy is not widely used - such products become unpleasantly grayish as soon as their polishing ceases to be ideal. This is 375 standard, that is, for every 1000 grams of pure gold alloy there are only 375 grams.
• A three-component composition with the numerical designation 585 is very common. It is often called red, although the alloy can have a variety of shades, up to almost white. The color depends on the type of additives and their proportions. For this purpose, silver, copper, and sometimes nickel, zinc, and even palladium, which is quite expensive but contributes to the wear resistance of products, are used.
• The most expensive alloys are used to make luxury jewelry with precious stones. The composition with purity 750 contains palladium.

Gold samples

Debunking the myth

Why don’t reference books and popular literature say anything about alloys with a higher gold content? The reason is the rather low level of performance characteristics that metal has without additives. It is soft, which means it is not resistant to mechanical damage, and is also not able to “hold” polish for a long time.

That is why it is not customary to use gold with a purity higher than 750 in jewelry or other fields. But what about 925 purity gold, you ask? In fact, the legendary alloy does not officially exist.

That is, it is technically possible to create a composition with a minimum number of inclusions, but there will be nowhere to use it; it will turn out to be unsuitable for almost all traditional applications of precious metals.

What does the number 925 mean?

Sterling Silver

Despite everything said above, hallmark 925 exists, and jewelers highly value products with this hallmark. But it is not placed on gold, but on another metal - silver.

In an alloy of this kind, 925 parts of the precious metal are supplemented with an insignificant amount of additives, but still affecting the strength and appearance of the product. In the vast majority of cases, copper is used for this. According to the testimony of connoisseurs and experts, silver with 925 purity looks impeccable.

The cost of such alloys is quite high, and in cases where copper in the composition is replaced by other elements, it can approach the price of high-grade gold.

• Germanium will prevent the darkening that occurs over time, which is characteristic of many silver jewelry.
• Cadmium preserves the original beauty of the treated surfaces of products.

Alloys with a base precious metal content of 92.5% are called sterling silver. The qualities of this material are not inferior to platinum, while the cost of the latter is much higher.

Another legend

Sometimes it is mistakenly believed that 925 gold is the so-called white gold. This term also requires more careful study. The white color of jewelry comes from palladium coating, as well as the inclusion of the same palladium in the alloy.

When developing such a composition at the beginning of the last century, nickel and manganese were also used, but subsequent studies proved that nickel is unsafe for humans, and manganese does not give the desired effect. It is interesting that, unlike most jewelry alloys, in this case the price of the additive (palladium) is significantly higher than that of the base metal.

The legend that such a metal has 925 fineness most likely arose from a combination of the appearance of white gold and the markings of silver, which is visually similar to it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8ppCrJY2tc

Thus, 925 gold does not exist, either in production or in everyday life, and in the conversations of people who are not very familiar with jewelry, this term usually refers to high-quality silver or a gold alloy that has a white color due to the inclusion of palladium in it.

Coin catalog

All existing coins can be found in our database using a convenient search.

Source: https://xn----8sbebdgd0blkrk1oe.xn--p1ai/dragmet/925-proba-zolota.html

What you need to know about 925 standard - gold or silver, composition, price per gram

Often participants in specialized jewelry forums are interested in the question: what is included in the 925 alloy, is it gold or silver? Let's figure out what metal with a purity of 925 consists of. What do these numbers mean?

 Gold or silver?

In order to determine the metal by sample, you need to know what assay systems for gold and silver exist.

In Russia and the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a system has been adopted according to which the following samples of gold are distinguished:

• 375, which has a reddish tint, turning into grayish when polishing is lost;
• 583rd, which is an alloy of gold and copper, due to which a reddish tint predominates in it;
• 585th, which has different shades from red and pink to yellow and white;
• 750th, which includes silver and copper;
• 958th, bright yellow alloy.

Silver standards accepted in Russia are as follows:

• 800th;
• 830th;
• 875th;
• 925th;
• 960th.

It is important! Thus, a sample value of 925 indicates that the alloy contains a larger amount of silver, namely about 92.5% of the total composition of the alloy.

Peculiarities

925 silver is called differently:

• Sterling silver;
• silver standard;
• standard silver;
• sterling.

Pure silver, which does not contain any impurities, is a very soft metal. That is why it is unsuitable for the production of jewelry, coinage and other things. To give silver strength, copper is dissolved in it. But this combination leads to the loss of the natural shine that silver is endowed with.

The silver alloy, which contains 92.5% pure precious metal, holds the shape of the product well, is not damaged, and also allows you to enjoy the natural white color inherent in natural silver.

Did you know that hallmark number 925 is much stronger than pure 999 silver? It is more in demand among jewelers, who create real works of art from such an alloy.

The alloy number 925 may contain not only copper, but also, for example:

• platinum;
• germanium;
• zinc;
• silicon.

! The above metals when combined with silver produce unique colors and also allow you to change the oxidation ability of the precious metal.

925 silver is marked with the word “sterling” and is marked with a special sign, the image options of which depend on the country of origin.

We recommend reading: Gold price dynamics on September 15-19, forecasts

The following compositions can be used when marking sterling silver:

• sterling;
• sterling silver
• ster;
• 925.

Often, 925 silver is coated with a layer of white rhodium or an oxide film, which allows it to resist corrosion of the precious metal or change its color.

Depending on the nature of the coating, the following types of silver are distinguished:

• rhodium-plated;
• oxidized;
• blackened;
• with enamel;
• other.

Rhodinated 925 sterling silver has a bright white color, while oxidized sterling silver takes on the appearance of antique silver. Blackened silver is a precious metal covered with niello. Any coating allows you to create new styles and types of silver.

Physical and chemical properties

Silver in its pure form is a heavy, shiny, white metal with a unique reflective ability - about 95% of the entire visible part of the spectrum. It is this property of silver that has led to one of the most common areas of its use - the production of mirrors.

The density of silver is 10.5 g/cm3, which is almost half the density of gold, several units less than the density of lead, but heavier than copper and iron.

The main physical properties of silver include:

• the presence of the highest thermal conductivity among all metals;
• unique electrical conductivity;
• the melting point is 961°C (the lowest among all precious metals), which allows it to be processed by smelting.

The chemical properties of silver include:

• inertness of the metal - in its natural state it does not interact with other substances;
• Among precious metals, silver is the most reactive metal;
• the substance has the ability to dissolve in nitric acid, as well as in hot concentrated sulfuric acid and mercury;
• unlike platinum and gold, it does not dissolve in aqua regia.

We recommend reading: Gold market: overview

How to care for silver

Features of caring for silver depend on the specific factors that have a negative impact on the precious metal.

Darkening of silver can be caused by:

• increased air humidity;
• storing products next to sulfur-containing drugs;
• when worn – deterioration of the owner’s health;
• interaction with cosmetics and perfumes.

Basic principles of care:

• When cleaning silver, you should never use rough sponges or abrasives;
• regular care involves initially soaking the products in soapy water, followed by rinsing, removing excess moisture and polishing with suede;
• For proper care, you should use products specially designed for this purpose.

Caring for 925 sterling silver has some features.

Firstly, it is best to care for such products using a special product - Silbertauschbader. Instructions for using this product are included in the kit. There are many different alternatives to this substance, but this is the one that is most effective.

Secondly, to clean silver of this standard, under no circumstances should you use citric acid and lemon juice, which are suitable for cleaning silver of lower standards.

Meanwhile, 925 silver can, for example, be cleaned with ammonia. To do this, you need to add this substance to water at the rate of 1 milliliter per 10 milliliters of water. After this, immerse the product in the solution for half an hour, remove it, rinse it under running water, and wipe it with a soft cloth.

What is the difference between 925 and 999 samples?

The 999th standard of silver means that the alloy contains absolutely no impurities or additives, that is, it is a pure precious metal, in our case, silver. This precious metal is not suitable for use in jewelry; it is a soft, fusible substance.

We recommend reading: China and gold: the secret of success

Pure silver is an excellent material for various types of production, but not for jewelry.

It is important! If a piece of silver jewelry is stamped with 999 purity, this is a fraud!

925 standard is the highest possible standard of silver for jewelry. This alloy contains a minimum amount of ligature - up to 75 parts out of 1000, which gives such jewelry a universal shine and beauty.

The cost of silver is 925 prom per gram

To calculate the price of 925 silver, you need to know how much one gram of pure silver costs. For calculations, let’s take the data from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation for silver in February 2019 - 33.18 rubles per gram.

In jewelry stores and pawnshops, the price of silver today ranges from 40 to 110 rubles per gram.

Thus, we learned that 925 standard means that the product is made of silver; this alloy contains 92.5% silver, the rest is an alloy, which can be in the form of platinum, copper, germanium, zinc, silicon. This silver sample is of the highest quality, is durable and can be easily melted, which allows you to produce unique jewelry.

Source: http://inzoloto.ru/cena-na-zoloto/vse-detali-o-925-probe

Unique 999 silver

In the world classification of precious metals, 999 silver is the highest standard for this metal. This means that per 1000 units of the alloy, 999 units are pure silver and only one is other impurities.

• 1 Quality and properties of pure silver
• 2 Where it is used

Quality and properties of pure silver

999 silver is a very ductile, soft metal of a grayish color. It is easily subject to mechanical influence, such as stretching, forging, rolling. From just 30 grams of pure silver, you can stretch the thinnest thread up to 50 km long or roll it into a film only 0.00025 mm thick.

999 silver has a high conductivity of heat and electricity. These properties of the metal are indispensable in the electronics and space industries. Pure silver is low-active and does not interact with the environment. For example, it does not oxidize with oxygen, which is inherent in almost all known metals.

Since ancient times, it has been noted that silver has bactericidal properties. The ions of this metal have a detrimental effect on harmful microbes, viruses and bacteria. In medicine, this quality is widely used in the manufacture of medicines and devices for ionizing air and water. 999 silver darkens over time and loses its metallic luster, and this is due to sulfur in the atmosphere. It coats the metal with a thin film, forming silver sulfite on the surface.

Silver nuggets are very rare in nature. Basically, ore is mined with other impurities and only after special processing a pure product is isolated. Interestingly, this precious metal sometimes comes to Earth from space as part of the base of meteorites and asteroids.

Where is it used?

It would be logical to assume that 999 standard is in great demand in jewelry, since this metal is easy to work with, malleable and ductile. But it is precisely these qualities that create interference in the consumption process. Pure silver jewelry is deformed, loses its shape, and wears out quickly. The ring on your finger will wrinkle even with a handshake.

Scratches and dents appear on products due to minor mechanical impacts. And yet, 999 sterling silver is used in jewelry to make small details on jewelry or to produce unique artistic designs.

Also, to add beauty, jewelry made from cheaper materials, such as copper, is coated with a thin film of silver. Basically, all jewelry is created from alloys of silver with copper, nickel or other more durable metals.

.999 silver is highly valued in the precious metals market. Just like gold, it is used as capital accumulation in the form of bullion. The price of the precious metal is constantly rising, and this is a very profitable investment.

You can find out how much 1 gram of pure silver costs on the website of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, where exchange rate quotes are updated daily. 999 fineness is used for stamping collectible coins of various denominations. In addition to historical significance, they also have their own significant precious metal price.

Due to its high electrical conductivity and low activity with oxygen (practically does not oxidize), it is widely used in the electronics industry. Used as solder in complex microcircuits and in the manufacture of batteries and accumulators.

Even in ancient times, people noticed that silver has antibacterial properties. Wounds festered less and healed quickly if a silver plate was applied to them. Water and food in silver dishes lasted longer and did not spoil.

In modern medicine, these properties of the noble metal are widely used in the manufacture of bactericidal drugs. Colloidal water (a solution of silver ions in water) helps prevent viral diseases. Science is moving forward and now special wound dressings are being created that contain pure silver.

The old proverb “Silver is more valuable than gold” is still relevant today. In nature, reserves of this noble metal are much lower than gold, and scientists believe that its value on the market is artificially low. Therefore, the price for it will only increase in the future.

Source: https://gdeserebro.ru/vidy-proby/999-svojstva-opisanie.html

Let's figure out if 925 is gold or silver

What is 925 sample? Why aren't jewelry made from “pure” gold? For those who wear jewelry made of precious metals, it is important not only to be confident in the “naturalness” of the product and its quality, but also to understand the terminology. It is not enough to study the samples and price of the metal in order to avoid counterfeits and loss of profit - the alloy, features, and manufacturer affect the quality of the product and determine its final cost.

Sample - what is it?

Due to its chemical characteristics, gold without impurities of other components is not distinguished by its jewelry “attractiveness”:

• dull color;
• soft, dense composition;
• susceptibility to deformation.

Impurities of base metals improved the physical properties of gold. It acquired a pleasant shade, wear resistance and became easier to process. The introduction of simple metals into noble metals is called an alloy. Fineness is the ratio of gold (or silver) to the other components of the product (in percentage terms). The higher the sample value, the more valuable the product (and the more expensive the cost).

What are the hallmarks of gold and silver?

In jewelry, the following samples are used for the main metals: 375, 500, 585, 750, 900, 916, 958. The rare 999 sample is used for the production of ingots - the purest gold with a content of other substances of less than 1%.

On some jewelry there is an unusual mark - 925 standard. The ligature ratio of the components of the product implies that the item is made with gold or platinum plating. Since the top layer of the jewelry resembles a noble metal with an unusual hallmark, some buyers confuse this element with platinum and attribute a high cost. There is no such thing as .925 gold, and the craftsman's mark denotes a gold-plated silver piece.

Silver with ligature 750, 800, 875, 916, 925, 960 and 999 samples. Ligature up to 916 is considered a low-containing material and is practically not used in jewelry. From 750-875 samples, household items, furniture and souvenirs are made, available to a wide range of buyers (low price category).

Sterling silver: metal and its features

In the countries of the southern continent, craftsmen offer jewelry with a silver content of 60%. In Europe and Russia, products made from 925 standard, called sterling (according to legend, after the name of the coin of those times, made from a high-quality mixture of silver and base ingredients), are considered popular.

Sterling silver is distinguished not only by its 925 test quality, but also by its durability, noble shade and durability. A sterling silver knife will serve its owners for years without blackening or deformation.

Classic sterling is a mixture of silver and copper in the ratio of 92.5% and 7.5%. Copper gives strength, malleability and durability to the product without changing the natural shine and cool shade.

Historically, the combined metal was valued for its physical virtues and long service life. Rare jewelry and household items made 5-6 centuries ago are kept in art museums to this day in almost unchanged form.

The quality of sterling - not to blacken or deform - allowed the alloy to maintain its leadership among other alloys in the jewelry business and the production of luxury cutlery.

In addition to copper, the complementary elements in sterling are:

• platinum;
• zinc;
• gold;
• aluminum;
• palladium;
• cadmium;
• titanium.

Sterling does not acquire 925 gold, since the share of the element does not exceed 8%.

The rise in price due to the lower prevalence of natural resource deposits makes products with an admixture of copper optimal in terms of price/quality ratio. Platinum and palladium are rarely used as additives, mainly in the production of jewelry (for greater value, increased shine and durability).

Platinum and silver - how they differ

It’s not just jewelry where the top layer is gold and the rest is silver that experiences erroneous determination of price and quality: platinum is periodically “lowered” in value.

The physical and external characteristics of metals are similar to each other:

• cold shine;
• sustainability;
• noble shade.

But platinum is harder than silver and less susceptible to deformation.

If it is necessary to determine which of the two elements - platinum or silver - is included in the product, first of all, a search for defects is carried out. Corrosion or minor damage to the product is typical for silver; platinum is less susceptible to changes in shape due to external irritants.

The density of “white” gold exceeds silver - 1.8 g/sq.cm to 1 g/sq.cm.

Visualization when determining the source material is difficult for beginners, but platinum is known to be 10% lighter than silver and 5% more reflective. The high cost of platinum compared to silver affects the style of jewelry:

• massive jewelry is made of silver;
• rings, chains, pendants, brooches are created from platinum.

An instant way of checking is physical impact. Mechanical effects (scratches) are clearly visible on silver products, but not on platinum.

Application of 925 metal in production

High physical properties have allowed 925 silver to occupy a leading position among other alloys for three hundred years. A special alloy of silver (92.5%) and copper (7.5%) gives strength, malleability and durability to the product.

In the Soviet Union, sterling served as the main material in the manufacture of silver conductors, contacts and jewelry (as an alternative to gold). In Russia, metal serves as a leading element in addition to:

• serving items;
• elements of religion (crosses, icons);
• accessories for beauty and everyday life (pins, cufflinks);
• exclusive gifts (cigarette cases, medals, etc. made of sterling).

Sterling metal is most often used as an element for the production of equipment. In science, a mixture of silver and cadmium forms a rare alloy whose value exceeds even the price of gold.

The cost of 925 metal

It is easy to determine the price of a product: the London Metal Exchange publishes daily rates of noble elements, indicating the price per troy ounce. But when buying from a bank or a finished product in a showroom, the cost of the metal varies according to the seller’s exchange rate.

As of March 3, 2017, you will have to pay 34.4 rubles for 1 gram of 925 silver.

The country of origin is no less important when purchasing a product - Italian items are considered the best, and among Chinese jewelers, low-quality alloy and fakes are found in 50% of cases.

Compulsory medical insurance accounts made of silver

If you plan to open an impersonal account in silver, you should study the rate of change in the value of the metal over a year. But unlike platinum, the metal does not have sharp ups and downs on the stock exchange due to the low cost of raw materials. A compulsory health insurance deposit in silver is a liquid and reliable way to preserve assets.

When opening an account, the rate is provided by the bank and will differ from London exchange rates. Deposits are opened on the basis of the highest standard silver – 999.

Conclusion: gold cutting misleads owners of jewelry (or other items) made of silver: 925 silver - is this possible? Gilding is the thinnest top layer of metal applied as decoration or to increase the value of the product, which does not affect the composition of the item.

There is no 925 gold, unlike silver, a sterling alloy consisting of 92.5% base metal and one of the additional elements (copper in 99% of cases). 925 sterling silver is durable, durable, highly valued by both jewelers and product owners, and does not turn black over time.

A wide range of applications - from science to everyday life - makes the alloy a popular and well-known element.

Source: https://ZolotoMan.ru/proby/925-proba-zoloto-ili-serebro.html