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Yes, 925 sterling silver is real silver. By weight it is 92.5 percent pure silver alloyed with 7.5 percent copper, and the 925 stamp is a statement about that exact ratio, not a euphemism for something less than silver.
The confusion usually starts with the number itself. Nobody sees "92.5%" stamped on a ring; they see "925", three digits with no obvious unit, and it is a reasonable question whether that means something has been left out.
Nothing has been left out. Instead, something has deliberately been added.
What does the 925 stamp actually mean?
Silver purity is measured in millesimal fineness: parts per thousand, by weight, that are pure silver. A 925 stamp means that out of every 1,000 parts of metal, 925 are silver and the remaining 75 are another metal, almost always copper. Expressed as a percentage, that is 92.5 percent silver, 7.5 percent copper.
This is the same figure whether the stamp reads "925", ".925", or "sterling" — all three describe the identical alloy. It is also, essentially, the same figure used across most of the world's jewellery markets, which is part of why sterling has become the practical default standard for silver jewellery rather than a regional quirk.
Why isn't jewellery made from pure silver?
Pure, or "fine", silver is 99.9 percent silver. On the Mohs hardness scale, which runs from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond), fine silver sits at about 2.5. That is soft enough to mark under a fingernail with enough pressure, and nowhere near hard enough to hold a prong closed around a stone, keep a ring band perfectly round through a day of typing and dish-washing, or resist scuffing in a pocket.
Copper is added specifically to change that. Alloying fine silver with 7.5 percent copper measurably increases its hardness and strength without meaningfully changing its colour or shine. The trade-off is one jewellers settled on centuries ago: keep the alloy overwhelmingly silver, but add just enough of a harder metal to survive being worn.
Where does the 925 standard come from?
The 92.5 percent figure is not a modern marketing round number. English law set the legal fineness for silver articles at this level as far back as the 13th century, under Edward I, alongside a system of compulsory assay — independent testing — and hallmarking, so that a buyer did not have to take a silversmith's word for what they were getting.
That is the origin of the word "sterling" itself: English sterling coinage was struck to this standard, and silversmiths making plate and jewellery were required to match it. Centuries later, the figure has not moved. It survives today as 925, the same ratio, applied to jewellery rather than coinage.
Is a 925 stamp legally required, and does it prove anything?
In the United States, no manufacturer is required to stamp a quality mark on a silver item at all. But the National Stamping Act of 1906, still enforced today through the Federal Trade Commission's Jewelry Guides, sets strict rules for anyone who chooses to use one.
Two rules matter most to a buyer. First, a quality mark like "925" or "sterling" must accurately state the metal content within legal tolerances. Second, that mark must be accompanied, on the same piece, by a registered trademark identifying the party responsible for the claim — typically struck next to the fineness mark, on a clasp or the inside of a band. A quality mark with no trademark beside it is, under federal law, considered misbranded.
That second rule is the more useful one in practice. It means a bare "925" stamped alone is not, on its own, the full legal picture — the pairing with a maker's mark is what the law actually asks for. Every piece we make is stamped 925 on 925 sterling silver, and we tell you plainly in each listing.
Does sterling silver tarnish, and does that mean it isn't real?
Yes, sterling silver tarnishes, and no, that does not mean the metal is fake. Tarnish happens because the copper in the alloy reacts with sulfur compounds in the air, in moisture, and in everyday things like skin oils and cosmetics, forming a thin dark film of silver sulfide and copper sulfide on the surface.
This is a property of the alloy, not a sign of poor quality. Fine silver tarnishes too, just more slowly, because it contains almost no copper to react. The rate of tarnishing on a silver-copper alloy rises with how much copper it contains, which is one more reason 92.5 percent stays close to the historical minimum rather than drifting lower. We've written separately about how sterling silver interacts with skin, including why it can leave a green mark on some people, which is a related but distinct reaction.
| Property | Fine silver | Sterling silver (925) | Silver-plated | Nickel silver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Composition | 99.9% silver | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | Base metal core, thin silver layer | No silver — copper, nickel, zinc |
| Mohs hardness | ~2.5, very soft | Harder than fine silver | Set by the base metal underneath | Set by the base metal |
| Tarnish behaviour | Tarnishes slowly, little copper | Tarnishes faster than fine silver | Plating can wear through to base metal | Does not silver-tarnish; can still discolour |
| Typical stamp | .999 or "fine" | 925 or "sterling" | "Plate", EP, or unmarked | "Alpaca", "nickel silver", or unmarked |
| Common use | Bullion, some soft settings | Jewellery, flatware | Lower-cost decorative pieces | Imitation silver-look pieces |
How can you tell if a piece is genuinely 925?
Start with the stamp itself, and check for the pairing the law actually asks for: a fineness mark ("925" or "sterling") sitting next to a maker's trademark, usually on a clasp, the inside of a ring shank, or the back of a pendant bail. A fineness mark with nothing beside it is worth a second look.
A magnet can help rule things out, since silver is diamagnetic and is not pulled toward a magnet. If a "silver" piece is strongly attracted to one, it almost certainly has a steel core or heavy base-metal content. But the test only eliminates; it does not confirm. Copper, brass and aluminum are non-magnetic too, so a piece passing the magnet test could still be any of those instead of silver.
Beyond that, the most reliable check is simply asking the seller what the piece is made of, and expecting a straight answer with the composition stated plainly, the way it should be on any listing.
Which Aqua Gold pieces are 925 sterling silver?
Every moissanite piece in our shop is set on 925 sterling silver, stamped accordingly, generally finished with rhodium or gold plating over the silver. That includes the eternity band, the stud earrings, the tennis bracelet, the floating solitaire necklace, the marquise-cut ring, the Miami cuban link bracelet, and both versions of our cross pendant.
Moissanite eternity band925 sterling silver, three stone sizes
Moissanite stud earrings925 sterling silver base, two finishes- Moissanite tennis braceletstamped 925, rhodium plated
Floating solitaire necklacea single stone, 925 sterling silver chain
Marquise-cut moissanite ring925 sterling silver band
Moissanite Miami cuban linkthe heaviest piece we make, 925 silver
Moissanite cross pendantgold-plated or rhodium-plated, one size
Sterling silver moissanite crosstwo cross sizes, silver or gold tone
You can browse the full range by category — rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces — or start with our best sellers, which is where most people begin.
Common questions
Is 925 sterling silver real silver?
Yes. 925 sterling silver is 92.5 percent pure silver by weight, alloyed with 7.5 percent copper. The 925 stamp states that exact ratio; it is a real-silver alloy, not a substitute for silver.
What is the difference between 925 and 999 silver?
999, or fine silver, is 99.9 percent pure and has a Mohs hardness of only about 2.5, too soft for most jewellery. 925 sterling silver alloys in 7.5 percent copper to increase hardness and durability, at the cost of tarnishing somewhat faster.
Does 925 sterling silver tarnish?
Yes. The copper in the alloy reacts with sulfur compounds in air, moisture and everyday products like cosmetics, forming a dark silver sulfide and copper sulfide film on the surface. This is a property of the alloy rather than a defect.
Is a 925 stamp required by law?
No manufacturer is required to stamp a piece at all in the United States. But under the National Stamping Act, enforced through the FTC's Jewelry Guides, any quality mark that is used must be accurate and paired on the same piece with a registered trademark.
How can I tell if my 925 jewellery is genuine?
Look for a fineness stamp paired with a maker's trademark. A magnet test can help rule out steel-cored fakes, since silver is not magnetic, but it cannot confirm silver on its own, since other non-magnetic base metals exist. Asking the seller directly for the composition is the most reliable check.
More questions
We answer shipping, returns, sizing and payment questions on our FAQ page. If something is not covered there, get in touch and a person from the workshop will answer.
References
The composition, hardness and historical figures in this article are drawn from published references rather than jewellery marketing copy, including standard materials-science entries on silver and sterling silver, and independent jewellery-trade and historical sources on the origin of the sterling standard. The legal detail on U.S. quality-mark and trademark requirements reflects the National Stamping Act of 1906 as currently interpreted by the Federal Trade Commission's Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Guides.
