Silver Hallmarks & Stamps: A Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Real Silver

A small stamp is the fastest way to confirm what you're actually buying. Here's how to read it.

What Are Silver Hallmarks?

Silver hallmarks are stamps applied to jewelry indicating metal purity, and sometimes origin or certification. They're what separates a verifiable claim from a seller's word alone.

Common Silver Purity Stamps

• 925 / .925: the international standard for sterling silver, 92.5% pure silver alloyed with 7.5% strengthening metals.
• Sterling / STG / Sterling Silver: text alternatives to "925," signifying the same purity.
• 999 / Fine Silver: 99.9% pure silver. Highly pure, but soft and less suited to daily jewelry. See Sterling Silver vs. Fine Silver: Key Differences Explained for the full comparison.

Why Silver Hallmarks Matter

• Authenticity: confirms real silver, not plated or filled metal
• Purity: confirms the silver content meets a recognized standard
• Durability: 925 sterling silver is suited to regular wear; 999 fine silver is not

The same logic applies to gold. See How to Check Gold Purity: A Complete Guide for Buyers for how hallmarks and testing work there.

Sterling Silver Essentials

Mariner Necklace

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Graduated Huggies

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Round Snake Chain

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Flat Edge Hoops

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Where to Find Hallmarks on Jewelry

Silver stamps are typically placed in discreet locations:

• Inside ring bands
• Near clasps on necklaces or bracelets
• On the back of pendants
• On earring posts

Faint markings are common — sterling silver is soft, and hallmarks can naturally wear over time.

Hallmarked Sterling Silver at AURÉV

Every AURÉV piece is hallmarked to confirm purity, with metals recycled where possible. For more on that specifically, see recycled silver.

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