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Sterling silver is one of the most misunderstood materials in jewelry. The number 925 is on a lot of pieces that should not carry it, and the word silver appears on pieces that contain almost no actual silver. This guide explains what 925 sterling silver actually is, how to verify a piece is what it claims to be, and what separates a piece worth keeping from one that will discolor your skin in six months.This is the buying guide we wish more shoppers had read before their first jewelry purchase. It is written from the perspective of a working silver studio in Kaunas. MB Loretana is registered with the Lithuanian assay office (Lietuvos prabavimo rūmai), and our pieces carry the 925 international hallmark alongside our registered responsibility mark.What 925 actually means925 sterling silver contains 92.5 percent pure silver by weight. The remaining 7.5 percent is an alloy, almost always copper, added to give the metal enough structural strength to be worn. Pure silver (999) is too soft for jewelry; it bends and scratches with light handling. The copper hardens it without significantly changing the appearance.The 925 standard is recognized across most of the world. In some markets you will also see 999 (pure silver, mostly used for bullion and ceremonial pieces), 950 (slightly higher silver content, less common in jewelry), and 800 (lower-grade silver, sometimes called German silver, with more copper and a noticeably different color). For wearable jewelry, 925 is the working standard.The hallmark and how to read itA hallmark is a small stamp pressed into the metal that certifies what the piece is. Different countries use different stamping systems, but the most reliable hallmarks come from official assay offices that test the metal before stamping it.In Lithuania, the Lietuvos prabavimo rūmai (the Lithuanian assay office) tests every piece submitted to it and stamps confirmed sterling silver with a 925 mark plus the office's own identifying symbol. A piece carrying this mark has been independently verified.What to look for on any 925 silver piece: The 925 stamp itself. Usually on the inside of a hoop, the back of a pendant, or the inside of a ring band. The number should be clean, readable, and pressed evenly. The maker's or studio mark. Most reputable studios add their own initials or symbol next to the 925. This makes the piece traceable back to its origin. The assay office mark. If the piece was officially tested, a third stamp will show which assay office certified it. This is the highest level of assurance. A piece with only 925 stamped, with no maker's mark and no assay symbol, is most likely sterling silver, but it has not been independently verified. A piece with no stamp at all should be assumed not to be sterling unless the seller can provide documentation.The marks that should not appear on real sterling silverSome stamps look reassuring but signal something else. Watch for: Silver plated or Silverplate. Means a thin layer of silver over a base metal (usually brass or copper-nickel). The plating wears off, often within a year of daily wear. Sterling EP or EPNS. Electroplated silver on nickel. Same problem. Alpaca, German silver, or Nickel silver. These contain no silver at all. The names are confusing on purpose. They are nickel-copper-zinc alloys, sometimes plated, sometimes not. Tibetan silver or Mexican silver without a 925 stamp. Quality varies enormously. Some pieces are genuine high-purity silver; many are base metal in disguise. If the stamp does not include the word sterling or the number 925 (or 950, 800, or 999), the piece is not what most buyers think they are buying when they say silver.What rhodium plating adds, and what it does notMany 925 sterling silver pieces are plated with rhodium, a member of the platinum family. The plating layer is thin, usually less than a micron, and serves three purposes: it makes the surface brighter, harder, and more tarnish-resistant.Rhodium plating is not a quality compromise. It is an upgrade. The underlying metal is still 925 silver, and the plating adds protection without changing the structural integrity. A rhodium-plated piece resists scratches and oxidation longer than uncoated silver.The trade-off is that rhodium does wear off eventually. Daily contact with surfaces, especially during physical work, gradually removes the layer. After several years of heavy wear, a rhodium-plated piece may need re-plating to restore the brightness. This is a professional service offered by most silver studios.For interchangeable pieces specifically, rhodium plating is particularly valuable on the closure mechanisms. The hardness of the plating reduces wear at the friction points where the hinge or thread is repeatedly opened and closed. Our breakdown of how interchangeable earrings work covers the mechanical wear patterns in more detail.Gold plating on silver: what to ask aboutGold-plated 925 silver (sometimes called gold over silver or, at proper thicknesses, vermeil) gives the appearance of gold at a fraction of the cost of solid gold. The key variable is plating thickness, measured in microns. Under 0.5 microns. Decorative only. The gold will wear off within months of regular wear, especially on edges and contact points. 0.5 to 1 micron. Light wear quality. Suitable for occasional wear; not daily wear. 1 to 2.5 microns. Standard wear quality. Will hold up for one to two years of daily wear before showing significant fade. 2.5 microns and above. Vermeil grade in the U.S. standard (which requires 2.5 microns minimum over sterling silver). Will hold up for years of daily wear. When buying gold-plated silver, ask the seller specifically what the plating thickness is. Reputable sellers know the answer; resellers and unbranded marketplaces often do not.Tarnish: what it is and what to do about itTarnish is the darkening that appears on uncoated sterling silver over time. It is a chemical reaction between the silver and sulphur compounds in the air, accelerated by humidity, perfume, and certain skin chemistries. It is not damage; it is a surface reaction that can be polished off.To slow tarnish: Store silver in a soft pouch or a small airtight bag when not worn, with the air pressed out. Avoid putting on perfume or hairspray after putting on silver jewelry. The chemicals accelerate oxidation. Remove silver before swimming. Chlorine and salt water both attack the metal. Polish lightly with a silver cloth every few months to remove early tarnish before it darkens. Rhodium-plated silver tarnishes much more slowly than uncoated silver, often years before any darkening appears. This is part of why rhodium plating is the standard finish on most contemporary fine silver.How to test a silver piece you already ownIf you have a piece without a stamp and you want to know whether it is genuine, three informal tests give a reasonable indication.The magnet test. Sterling silver is not magnetic. If the piece is attracted to a strong magnet, it contains iron and is not silver.The smell test. Silver has almost no odor. If the piece smells like metal, especially a copper-like or sour smell after handling, it likely contains base metal alloys other than copper.The polish test. Rub a soft white cloth on the piece. Sterling silver will leave a slight black mark on the cloth as surface oxidation transfers to the cloth. Plated pieces will leave little or no mark.None of these are definitive on their own, but together they give a reasonable indication. For definitive testing, an acid test kit (available at jewelry supply stores) or a visit to a professional jeweler will give a conclusive answer.What to expect at different price pointsThe price of a 925 sterling silver piece reflects four things: the silver weight, the craftsmanship, the design, and the brand premium. Roughly: Under 25 euros. Mass-produced 925 silver from large factories. The metal is real; the finishing and the closure quality are usually basic. 25 to 60 euros. Most independent silver studios sit here for everyday pieces. The metal is real, the closures are reliable, and the design language is intentional. 60 to 150 euros. Premium independent and small-house silver. Heavier metal weight, refined finishing, often with hand-set stones or higher-grade plating. 150 euros and up. Design-led studios or pieces with significant additional materials (vermeil, stones, custom work). For most daily-wear interchangeable systems in 925 silver, the 50 to 100 euro range covers a strong base piece and several charms.Browse our 925 sterling silver earring collection for hallmarked Loretana pieces, or read our beginner's guide to starting an interchangeable collection for sequencing advice.For the foundational context on the category, see our pillar guide on interchangeable jewelry.Frequently asked questionsIs 925 sterling silver real silver?Yes. 925 sterling silver is 92.5 percent pure silver by weight, alloyed with 7.5 percent copper for structural strength. It is real silver in every meaningful sense, including for hallmarking purposes and resale value.Will sterling silver turn my skin green?Sterling silver itself does not turn skin green. The greening reaction is caused by the copper in the alloy reacting with skin acids in some people. Rhodium-plated silver prevents this completely. Uncoated sterling silver may cause minor discoloration in skin types that react strongly to copper, though most wearers experience no reaction.Is rhodium plating worth paying for?For pieces worn daily, yes. Rhodium plating adds tarnish resistance, surface hardness, and a brighter finish. It does wear off over years of heavy wear, but the protection it provides during that period extends the life of the piece. For pieces worn occasionally, the plating matters less.How do I know if a piece is really hallmarked?A real hallmark is pressed cleanly into the metal, usually in an inconspicuous place (inside a hoop, on the back of a pendant). It includes the purity stamp (925), often a maker's mark, and on officially tested pieces, the assay office symbol. A printed sticker or stamp on the packaging is not a hallmark; the stamp must be in the metal itself.Can sterling silver be re-polished if it gets scratched?Yes. Light surface scratches can be polished out with a silver polishing cloth at home. Deeper scratches require professional polishing by a jeweler, which removes a thin layer of the surface metal to restore the finish. Rhodium-plated pieces may need to be re-plated after deep polishing.MB Loretana is registered with the Lithuanian assay office (Lietuvos prabavimo rūmai), and our pieces carry the 925 international hallmark alongside our registered responsibility mark before shipping across the Baltic states.