When looking for jewelry, we often find that some are made of 950 silver and others of 925 silver.
But which one should I buy? What's the real difference between these two? Why is it common to see necklace or bracelet chains made of 925 silver and earrings and charms made of 950 silver?
We will explain all this to you here.
The first thing you should keep in mind is that there is no single answer and no one material is better than another.
It all depends on what you're looking for and, if you're a craftswoman or a goldsmith, on the type of jewelry you want to make.
What can 950 silver be used for?
At Laurella, we use 950 silver to make our rings, earrings, and pendants because it is more malleable and allows us to achieve the desired shape in the jewelry.
With this material we can create different finishes, such as frosting, hammering, and filigree.
All of these techniques are carried out by hand, and the malleability of the material allows us to achieve this manual handling.
What can 925 silver be used for?
While 925 silver is often used to make bracelet and necklace chains because it is more durable.
925 silver, being stronger, can withstand the weight of charms. Not only that, this material is also ideal for making finer chains.
What is silver alloy?
950 silver alloy
To assess the purity of the silver in a piece of jewelry and consider it 950, the alloy of the metals must consist of: 95% silver and the remainder of another metal, often copper.
925 silver alloy
In this case, it's the same as with 950 silver. It refers to the amount of silver in the alloy of the metals. However, the difference is that the silver portion is 92.5%, and the remainder is another metal.
What does the 950 and 925 stamp mean?
This is a symbol used in goldsmithing to identify and guarantee the degree of purity of the metal used in making the jewelry.
It is a measure used to indicate the pure quantity or proportion of the metal to be treated, in this case, silver.
Why should alloying be done?
The alloy must be made because the metal in its natural state is soft and malleable. When combined with other metals, it can take the shape and strength needed to create the desired jewelry.
How do I know if my jewelry is silver?
- We advise you to go to jewelry stores that are recommended or trusted.
- Make sure the jewelry has the seal or grade that establishes that it is 925, 950 or whatever material it was made from.
- If you can't identify the hallmark, either because it's too small or because it's worn off due to age, you can pass the jewelry over a magnet. If it's silver, it shouldn't be attracted to it. Now that you know this information, you can buy your jewelry with greater confidence.
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