When you see '925' stamped on jewellery, it means the piece is made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper). This isn't a compromise — it's engineering. Pure silver (99.9%) is too soft for jewellery. It would bend, scratch, and deform with daily wear. The 7.5% alloy gives sterling silver its strength while maintaining that beautiful white lustre.
Why Not Pure Silver?
Imagine wearing a ring made of butter. That's essentially what pure silver feels like to a jeweller — it's incredibly malleable. The copper alloy in 925 silver provides the structural integrity needed for intricate designs, secure stone settings, and everyday durability.
How to Verify Authenticity
- •Look for the '925' stamp (also called a hallmark) — usually on the inside of rings, clasp of necklaces, or back of earrings
- •In India, look for the BIS Hallmark — a triangle with 'BIS' inside, confirming government-certified purity
- •Real silver is not magnetic — if a magnet sticks, it's fake
- •The 'ice test' — silver conducts heat rapidly. Place an ice cube on the piece; it should melt noticeably faster than on other metals
- •Price check — if 925 silver jewellery costs less than ₹500 for a substantial piece, question its authenticity
925 Silver vs Other Metals
Sterling silver offers 90% of the look of white gold or platinum at 10% of the price. It's hypoallergenic (safe for sensitive skin), durable enough for daily wear, and ages beautifully. The only maintenance required is occasional polishing — a small trade-off for accessible luxury.
The BIS Hallmark: India's Quality Guarantee
Every SILIQ piece carries the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) hallmark. This is India's official certification that the silver content has been independently tested and verified. It's your guarantee that you're getting exactly what you paid for — no plating over base metals, no misleading claims.
The hallmark includes: the BIS logo, purity grade (925), assaying centre's mark, and the jeweller's identification mark. Together, these four elements create an unbreakable chain of accountability from manufacturer to your jewellery box.
