Why Check Silver Purity?
Before buying or selling silver, it's crucial to verify its authenticity. Fake silver and silver-plated items are common in the market. These simple tests can help you identify genuine silver without expensive equipment.
Quick Reference: Silver Purity Marks
| Marking | Silver Content | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| 999 | 99.9% | Fine/Pure Silver |
| 970 | 97.0% | Britannia Silver |
| 925 | 92.5% | Sterling Silver |
| 900 | 90.0% | Coin Silver |
| 800 | 80.0% | European Silver |
10 Methods to Test Silver Purity
1. The Hallmark Check (Most Reliable)
What to Do: Look for official stamps on the silver item.
What to Look For:
- BIS triangle logo (India)
- Purity number (999, 925, etc.)
- HUID code (6-digit alphanumeric)
Reliability: Very High
Note: Some antique pieces may not have modern hallmarks but can still be genuine.
2. The Magnet Test
What You Need: A strong magnet (neodymium works best)
How to Test:
- Hold the magnet close to the silver item
- Observe the reaction
Results:
- No attraction = Possibly real silver (silver is not magnetic)
- Strong attraction = Definitely NOT silver
- Slight attraction = May contain magnetic metals mixed in
Reliability: Medium (rules out obvious fakes)
3. The Ice Test
What You Need: Ice cube
How to Test:
- Place an ice cube on the silver item
- Watch how quickly it melts
Results: Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any metal. If the ice melts unusually fast compared to other metals, it's likely real silver.
Reliability: Medium
4. The Ring Test (Sound Test)
What to Do: Tap the silver item gently with another metal object.
Results:
- Real silver: High-pitched, bell-like ring that sustains
- Fake silver: Dull thud or short ring
Best For: Coins and bars
Reliability: Medium (requires experience)
5. The Smell Test
How to Test: Clean the item and smell it closely.
Results:
- Real silver: No smell or very faint metallic odor
- Fake silver: Strong metallic smell, sulfur, or copper odor
Reliability: Low to Medium
6. The Bleach Test (Caution Required)
Warning: This test can discolor your silver. Use only on non-visible areas.
How to Test:
- Apply a tiny drop of bleach to an inconspicuous spot
- Wait 1-2 minutes
- Wipe and observe
Results:
- Real silver: Turns black or dark (tarnishes quickly)
- Fake silver: No reaction or different color change
Reliability: High (but damages the item)
7. The Nitric Acid Test (Professional)
Warning: Acid is dangerous. This is typically done by jewelers.
How to Test:
- Make a small scratch on an inconspicuous area
- Apply nitric acid to the scratch
Results:
- Real silver: Creamy white color
- Sterling silver: Light green color
- Fake silver: Green, brown, or other colors
Reliability: Very High
8. The Weight and Feel Test
What to Know: Silver is denser than most common metals.
Silver Density: 10.49 g/cm³
How to Test:
- Feel the weight of the item
- Compare to items of similar size made of other metals
Results: Real silver feels heavier than aluminum, steel, or most fakes.
Reliability: Low (requires experience)
9. The Tarnish Test
What to Know: Real silver tarnishes over time when exposed to air and sulfur compounds.
Observations:
- Real silver: Develops a yellowish, then black patina
- Silver-plated: May show base metal peeking through
- Stainless steel: Does not tarnish
Reliability: Medium (requires time)
10. XRF Testing (Most Accurate)
What It Is: X-Ray Fluorescence analysis
Where to Get It: Jewelry stores, assay offices, pawn shops
Results: Provides exact percentage of all metals in the item
Reliability: Highest (but costs money)
Red Flags: Signs of Fake Silver
Watch out for these warning signs:
- Price too good to be true - Genuine silver has market value
- "German Silver" label - Contains no actual silver
- "Silver-plated" or "EPNS" - Only surface coating
- Flaking or peeling - Indicates plating
- Green residue on skin - Usually copper or nickel
- No hallmarks - Legitimate sellers mark their products
- Extremely light weight - May be aluminum
Common Silver Fakes in India
| Fake Type | Composition | How to Spot |
|---|---|---|
| German Silver | Copper, Zinc, Nickel | No hallmark, different color |
| Silver-Plated | Base metal + thin silver | Wear marks showing brass/copper |
| Nickel Silver | Nickel alloy | More grey, no tarnish |
| Aluminum | Aluminum | Very light weight |
When to Get Professional Testing
Consider professional verification when:
- Buying expensive antique silver
- Large investment purchases
- No visible hallmarks
- Inheriting family silver
- Selling for best price
Cost of Professional Testing
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Visual Inspection | Free - ₹200 |
| Acid Test | ₹100 - ₹300 |
| XRF Analysis | ₹500 - ₹1,500 |
| BIS Hallmarking | ₹45 per article |
Conclusion
While no single home test is 100% conclusive, combining multiple tests gives you a reliable indication of silver authenticity. For valuable pieces, always get professional verification. And remember, buying from BIS-certified jewelers with proper hallmarks is the safest approach.
Use our Silver Price Calculator to determine the fair value of your silver based on its purity.
Learn more about official hallmarks in our Silver Hallmark Guide, or check current silver rates.