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* Silver hallmark

The 925 hallmark: meaning, purity & value

International fineness mark for sterling silver (92.5%). The global standard for silver jewelry. Some modern alloys substitute germanium for part of the copper content to reduce tarnish (e.g., Argentium sterling).

Published May 30, 2026

Quick facts

Metal
Silver
Purity
92.5%
Fineness
925/1000
Common regions
international
Density
10.36 g/cm³
Melting point
893 °C
Standard
ISO 9202

Stamps that mean the same thing

This purity may be struck into jewelry as any of: 925 / STERLING / STERLING 925 / SILVER 925 / .925 / S925 / SV925. The mark differs by country and era, but the metal content is identical.

What 925 tells you

International fineness mark for sterling silver (92.5%). The global standard for silver jewelry. Some modern alloys substitute germanium for part of the copper content to reduce tarnish (e.g., Argentium sterling).

How to value it

The melt value of a 925 piece is silver spot price × 0.925 × weight (g). A buyer typically deducts 5–15% for assay, refining, and margin, so the cash offer lands just under that figure. Stones and complex settings are usually excluded from the metal weight.

How to check it yourself

  1. Examine the stamp under a 10× loupe — genuine marks are crisp and evenly struck, not doubled or smeared.
  2. Confirm the mark reads 925 or an equivalent such as STERLING.
  3. Weigh the piece and estimate its volume — the density should land near 10.36 g/cm³ for this alloy.
  4. Photograph it in the Jewelry Identifier app to read the metal, hallmark, and any gemstones from the image.
  5. For a binding result, have an assay office or gemological lab run an XRF purity test.

Sources

* Frequently asked

FAQ

Q. Is 925 the same as STERLING?
A. Yes. 925, STERLING, STERLING 925, SILVER 925, .925, S925, SV925 all denote the same material — 92.5% silver. Different markets and eras stamp it differently, but the purity is identical.
Q. How much is 925 worth?
A. Its melt value is the silver spot price × 0.925 × the weight in grams. Buyers then deduct roughly 5–15% for refining and margin, so a quoted buy-back price sits a little below that theoretical figure.
Q. How do I confirm a 925 stamp is genuine?
A. Look at the mark under 10× magnification for crisp, even strikes, cross-check the weight-to-volume ratio against the expected density (10.36 g/cm³ for this alloy), scan it with the Jewelry Identifier app, and — when it matters — have an XRF test done by an assay office or gemological lab.

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