If you've ever picked up a piece of jewellery and flipped it over looking for a tiny stamp, you've probably seen "925" before. It's one of the most common marks in jewellery, and also one of the most misunderstood. Some people think it means "fake." Others assume all silver is the same. Neither is true.
Here's the short version: 925 is the purity stamp for sterling silver, the standard used in fine silver jewellery worldwide, including every piece Suramyah makes. This guide breaks down exactly what that number means, how it compares to other kinds of silver, and how to make sure what you're buying is the real thing.
What does "925" actually mean?
The number 925 refers to parts per thousand. A piece stamped 925 is made of 92.5% pure silver, with the remaining 7.5% made up of other metals, almost always copper. This exact ratio is called sterling silver, and it's the internationally recognized standard for silver jewellery.
Why not use 100% pure silver? Because pure silver is too soft on its own. It bends, scratches, and loses its shape far too easily to survive daily wear. Adding a small amount of copper strengthens the metal significantly, without changing its colour, shine, or weight in any way you'd notice. So 925 isn't a compromise. It's the formula that makes silver jewellery durable enough to actually wear.
Sterling silver vs. pure (999) silver vs. silver-plated — what's the difference?
These three terms get mixed up constantly, so here's a simple way to tell them apart:
999 (fine silver) is 99.9% pure silver. It has a soft, matte-white look and is used mostly for silver bars, coins, and investment bullion, rarely for everyday jewellery, because it's too soft to hold intricate shapes or survive regular wear.
925 (sterling silver) is 92.5% pure silver alloyed with other metals for strength. This is the standard for fine silver jewellery everywhere, including rings, earrings, and necklaces meant to be worn often. When a jeweller says "real silver," this is almost always what they mean.
Silver-plated jewellery is a different category entirely. It's a base metal, usually brass or copper, with a thin layer of silver electroplated on the surface. There's no silver running through the piece; it's only on top. Over time, that plating wears through, and the base metal underneath shows. Silver-plated jewellery is typically far cheaper than sterling silver, and for good reason: it won't last the way solid 925 silver does.
The takeaway: if a piece is genuinely 925, silver runs through the entire thing, not just the surface.
Is 925 silver "real" silver? (Yes - direct myth-bust)
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is a clear yes. 925 sterling silver is real, genuine silver. The "925" stamp isn't a mark of compromise or imitation; it's a purity certification, the same way "18K" certifies gold purity.
The confusion usually comes from two places. First, people assume "pure" must mean 100%, so anything less feels like it's "not real." But by that logic, 18K gold (75% pure) wouldn't be real gold either, and we all know it is. Second, silver-plated costume jewellery is often sold alongside sterling silver, and the word "silver" gets used loosely for both, even though they're fundamentally different materials.
So to be direct: if it's stamped 925, it's real silver, right through the piece, not just on the surface.
How to spot a 925 stamp and what else should be on it
A genuine 925 stamp is usually small and easy to miss if you're not looking for it. Here's where to check and what you should see:
- Where to look: The inside of a ring band, the back of a pendant, near the clasp of a necklace or bracelet, or along the post of an earring.
- What the stamp looks like: The numbers "925," sometimes written as "S925" or "Ster," stamped directly into the metal.
- What else should accompany it: In India, look for the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) hallmark alongside the 925 stamp. A full hallmark typically includes the BIS logo, the purity grade, and a unique identification code tying the piece back to an accredited testing centre. This hallmark is your independent, third-party confirmation of purity — not just the manufacturer's own claim.
- A quick way to check online purchases: Before buying, check the product description for an explicit mention of "925 sterling silver" and hallmark certification. A legitimate seller will state this clearly, not bury it or leave it vague.
If a piece has no stamp at all and the seller can't explain why, that's worth asking about before you buy.
Why Suramyah uses 925 sterling silver
Every Suramyah piece is made from BIS-hallmarked 925 sterling silver, and that's a deliberate choice, not a default. Here's why it matters:
Durability. Jewellery you actually wear every day needs to survive it — typing, pulling on sweaters, the occasional knock against a desk. 925 silver's copper content gives it the strength to hold up to daily life, which pure silver simply can't.
Affordability without compromise. Sterling silver lets you own real, solid, precious-metal jewellery at a fraction of what gold costs, without settling for silver-plated pieces that won't last. You get genuine material, not just the look of it.
BIS compliance. Every piece carries a BIS hallmark, so the purity claim isn't just our word; it's independently verified. When we say 925, we mean it, and the hallmark is there to prove it.
Combined with our one-micron rhodium plating and real gemstones, 925 silver is the foundation that makes "made to last a lifetime" an actual promise, not a tagline.
FAQs
Does 925 silver turn skin green? No. Genuine 925 sterling silver does not turn skin green. That reaction usually happens with cheaper base metals (like brass or copper alloys) used in silver-plated or costume jewellery, especially once the plating wears off and the base metal is exposed to skin oils and sweat.
Is 925 silver waterproof? Sterling silver can get wet occasionally without being damaged, but it's not meant for constant water exposure. Chlorine (pools), saltwater, and harsh soaps can dull its shine and speed up tarnishing over time. It's best to remove silver jewellery before swimming or showering, not because a splash will ruin it, but because repeated exposure will dull it faster than it needs to.
Is 925 the same as sterling silver? Yes, completely. "925" and "sterling silver" are two names for the exact same material: 92.5% pure silver alloyed with 7.5% other metal, almost always copper. You'll see both terms used interchangeably, including on Suramyah's own product pages.