Silver jewellery is easy to fake and hard to judge by eye. A plated brass ring and a solid 92.5 sterling silver ring can look almost identical in a photo. Here is how to tell what you are buying.
What does 925 or 92.5 mean?
925 (also written 92.5) means the metal is 92.5% pure silver. The other 7.5% is usually copper, added because pure 99.9% silver is too soft to hold stones or keep its shape in everyday wear. That is why 92.5 sterling silver is the standard for fine silver jewellery around the world.
The BIS hallmark on silver
In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certifies the purity of silver. A BIS hallmark on silver jewellery has three parts:
- The BIS logo – the triangular BIS standard mark.
- The purity grade – for sterling silver this reads 925. BIS also recognises other grades such as 800, 835, 900, 970 and 990.
- A 6-digit HUID – a unique alphanumeric code given to that individual piece.
BIS introduced HUID-based hallmarking for silver jewellery from 1 September 2025 on a voluntary basis, and has been preparing to make it mandatory. Rules can change, so check the latest BIS guidance if you are buying a high-value piece.
How to verify a HUID
- Download the official BIS CARE app.
- Choose Verify HUID and enter the 6-character code from the jewellery or its certificate.
- The app shows the registered details, including the article type and purity. If they don't match the piece in your hand, ask the seller.
Very small or delicate pieces such as fine studs may not have room for a full stamp, so the hallmark details are often given on a certificate instead. Keep that certificate safe – at ElleVesa it is also needed for our Lifetime Buy-Back.
Simple checks you can do at home
These won't replace a hallmark, but they can flag an obvious fake:
- Magnet test: silver isn't magnetic. If a strong magnet grabs the piece, it isn't solid silver. (Clasps and springs can contain steel, so test the main body.)
- Ice test: silver conducts heat very well. An ice cube placed on a flat silver surface melts noticeably faster than on most other metals.
- Cloth test: rub an unplated area gently with a soft white cloth. Real silver often leaves a faint grey mark as surface oxidation comes off. Skip this on plated or rose-gold-tone pieces so you don't wear the finish.
- Sound: tap two silver pieces together – silver gives a clear, bright ring rather than a dull clunk.
Avoid acid tests at home. They can permanently mark jewellery and are best left to a jeweller or assaying centre.
Buying 92.5 silver with confidence
Buy from sellers who state the purity clearly, provide a hallmark certificate, and offer a warranty and returns. Every ElleVesa piece is crafted in 92.5 sterling silver and comes with a 6-month warranty and easy exchange.
Ready to shop? Start with our everyday essentials, or browse silver rings and silver earrings.
