Whether you’re new to the world of collecting antique sterling silver or a veteran, you’ve probably already seen the number 925 stamped on the bottom of silver pieces. If you don’t know what it means, you’ve found yourself in the perfect place. Continue reading to learn why certain antique sterling silver pieces are stamped with 925.

What Does the Stamp Mean?

The 925 stamp is a confirmation of the purity of the item—for every 1,000 parts of material, 925 of them must be silver, and no more than 75 can be a different metal. If you break it down, 92.5 percent of the item is pure silver, leaving the other 7.5 percent for other metals.

The Sterling Standard

If you find a piece of sterling silver stamped with 925, it’s a genuine piece, known as the “sterling standard.” The stamp doesn’t differ from country to country; it’s a universal mark. If you find a silver piece without this identifiable marking, you should question the item’s purity—it could be fake or impure silver.

Other Markings and Silvers

European silver is often marked with 800, 825, 830, or 850; this is also referred to as continental silver. If you see a piece marked with 950, this signifies Britannia silver. These items are slightly softer than the standard 925 silver.

The amount of silver in silver-plated objects is minimal. For these items, manufacturers incorporate silver-plate markings into their stamps. Silver plating is a small amount of silver applied over a base metal. It requires cleaning from time to time because it tarnishes.

Nelson & Nelson buys and sells antique silver. We’re a knowledgeable antique store in New York City that handpicks each of the quality pieces we offer. Whether you’re an avid silver collector or someone who simply enjoys learning about precious metals, it’s always nice to know what the 925 stamp means on sterling silver. You’ll be more educated as you browse our entire sterling silver collection.