Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver (stamped 925). At spot silver of $60.73 per troy ounce on October 7, 2026, that works out to about $1.81 per gram of sterling. Before you sell, test the piece to make sure it is not silver-plated base metal or an alloy with lower silver content.
Start with the free visual and magnet tests, then use ice or acid for confirmation.
Safety First: Acid Test Precautions
If you use a nitric acid silver test kit, the same precautions apply as for gold testing:
- Wear nitrile gloves and eye protection.
- Work in a ventilated area or outdoors.
- Keep water nearby to rinse spills.
- Neutralize acid spills with baking soda before cleaning.
- Keep kits away from children and store in a cool, dry location.
- Do not pour used acid down the drain in quantity; treat it as hazardous waste.
Method 1: Stamp Inspection
Look for these marks on the clasp, inside the band, or on a small tag:
| Stamp | Meaning | Silver content |
|---|---|---|
| 925 | Sterling silver | 92.5% |
| STERLING or STER | Sterling silver | 92.5% |
| 900 | Coin silver | 90.0% |
| 800 | Continental silver | 80.0% |
| 999 or FS | Fine silver | 99.9% |
| EPNS, EP, A1 | Electroplated — no solid silver | None |
| Nickel silver / German silver | No silver at all | 0% |
A stamp is a claim, not a guarantee. Counterfeit 925 stamps exist. Use other tests to confirm on pieces that matter. See how to read jewelry hallmarks for more on stamp locations.
Method 2: Magnet Test
Silver is non-magnetic. Hold a strong neodymium magnet near the piece:
- Strong pull: Iron or steel is present — not solid silver.
- Slight drag: Could be a stainless steel clasp on a genuine silver chain. Test the clasp separately.
- No pull: Passes this test. Combine with others.
Many base metals used in silver-plated items (copper, zinc, aluminum) are also non-magnetic, so passing the magnet test does not confirm silver. It is a quick eliminator of obvious fakes.
Method 3: Ice Test
Silver conducts heat better than any other element — even better than copper. Ice melts faster on silver than on almost any other material.
How to do it:
- Place the item on a flat surface.
- Set a small ice cube on top.
- Watch it closely for 30–60 seconds.
What to look for:
- If ice melts significantly faster than it would on a glass surface, the conductivity is high — consistent with silver or copper.
- If ice melts at the same rate as on glass or plastic, the piece is likely base metal.
Limitation: Copper also conducts heat well. Copper-plated pieces or copper alloys can pass this test. The ice test works best combined with a magnet check and visual inspection.
Method 4: Nitric Acid Test
Commercial acid test kits include a vial of dilute nitric acid formulated for silver. This is the most reliable DIY chemical test.
Steps:
- Put on gloves and eye protection.
- Apply one small drop of the silver test acid to an inconspicuous area, or make a streak on the black testing stone and apply acid to the streak.
- Observe for 30 seconds.
Results:
| Reaction | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cloudy white residue (cream or milky) | Real silver — silver nitrate forming |
| Bright green reaction | Copper or copper alloy (base metal) |
| No reaction, clear | Possibly gold-plated over silver, or a very thick plating |
| Rapid bubbling, dark | Unknown base metal — not silver |
Fine silver (999) and sterling (925) both produce the creamy white reaction. The difference between 925 and 900 cannot be distinguished by eye with this test; a professional XRF is needed for precise purity.
Method 5: Density Check
Sterling silver has a density of 10.36 g/cm³. Common fakes and plated items use lighter metals:
| Metal | Density |
|---|---|
| Sterling silver (925) | 10.36 g/cm³ |
| Fine silver (999) | 10.49 g/cm³ |
| Stainless steel | 7.7–8.0 g/cm³ |
| Copper | 8.96 g/cm³ |
| Zinc alloy (Zamak) | 6.6 g/cm³ |
| Aluminum | 2.70 g/cm³ |
How to calculate density:
- Weigh the piece in grams.
- Fill a graduated cylinder or measuring cup with water; note the level.
- Lower the piece in on a thin thread; note the new level.
- Density = weight ÷ volume displaced.
This works only on solid, non-hollow pieces. Hollow chains give meaningless results.
Worked Value Example
A marked-925 bracelet weighs 28.4 grams. The acid test produced the cream-white silver nitrate reaction.
At spot silver prices of October 7, 2026 ($60.73/ozt):
- Pure silver value per gram: $60.73 ÷ 31.1034768 = $1.9524/g
- Sterling (92.5%) value: $1.9524 × 0.925 = $1.8060/g
- Bracelet melt value: 28.4 × $1.8060 = $51.29
Use the sterling silver calculator to compute today’s value with live prices.
Buyers typically pay 60–80% of melt for sterling scrap because they need to cover refining costs and margin. $30–$40 for this bracelet would be a realistic offer range.
When to See a Professional
Take the piece to a coin dealer or jeweler with an XRF analyzer if:
- The stamp is missing or unclear.
- The acid test gave an ambiguous result.
- The piece is heavy enough that you expect significant value (over $50–$75).
- You want to know whether it might be 900 or 950 rather than 925.
For more on identifying solid silver versus plated pieces by appearance, see sterling vs. silver plated. For calculating what a confirmed silver item is worth today, use the silver value calculator.