"925" stamped on jewelry signifies that it is made of sterling silver, not gold. Sterling silver is an alloy containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper).
Sterling silver can tarnish due to exposure to air, moisture, and chemicals, but it does not fade like some other metals. When tarnish forms on silver, it can be easily removed with cleaning methods such as polishing or using silver polish. Regular care can help maintain the shine and luster of sterling silver jewelry.
The marking "925" on the back of a bracelet indicates that the piece is made of sterling silver, which is an alloy containing 92.5% pure silver. This marking is a standard way to denote the silver purity content in jewelry.
The marking "925" indicates that the bracelet is made of sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver. The "25" may be a manufacturer's mark or a code specific to the jewelry piece. It is always best to consult with a professional jeweler for a precise identification of markings on jewelry.
MEDA is a trademark for MEDA JEWELRY LIMITED who produced sterling silver and silver and gold custom jewelry. From what I can tell, they trademarked in 2000 and ended in 2010? But I can't be certain about the years. So in short, MEDA jewelry was mass produced silver and silver and Gold costume jewelry.
Sterling silver jewelry became subject to taxation in the United States with the introduction of the Tax Reform Act of 1969, which established a sales tax on certain luxury items. However, the specific practice of stamping jewelry as a mark of quality and authenticity predates this tax and has roots in various regulations dating back to the 14th century in England. The hallmarking system was designed to assure consumers of the metal's purity, with "sterling" indicating a minimum silver content of 92.5%.
The numbers "925" refer to the percentage of silver in a product: 92.5% pure silver. 925 is the federally required mark for any product made of sterling silver. This means that the bracelet you have that is gold is very likely gold plated, and doesn't have enough gold in it to say so. It is a silver bracelet with a gold plating or vermeil on it.
The most common elemental elements used in jewelry, in order, are gold, silver and platinum. Gold alloys range from 10K to 21K, and the earliest jewelry dates back to around 3000BC. Platinum alloys are 90-95% pure, and Sterling Silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. A fourth element used in jewerly is titanium. It was not available in pure form until 1910.
The 925 is indicative of 92.5% sterling silver.
International Silver
Sterling silverware is typically marked with the number "925" or "Sterling" on the back of the item, indicating that it is made of at least 92.5% pure silver. You can also use a magnet to check if the item is magnetic, as sterling silver is not magnetic. Additionally, sterling silverware will often have a maker's mark or brand stamp for identification purposes.
Yes! Let me explain: I bought a set of three stack rings at Target in California (not recently...this was awhile back, so I don't want to bag on whoever owns the jewelry counter there now). These rings were on a card that said "Sterling Silver". I was thrilled with them and wore them every day for the next few years. Then I began to notice that they weren't looking shiny and silvery like the rest of my .925 sterling silver and tried to polish them. It didn't help. It became obvious to me that the silver was wearing off and that another metal was underneath. When I tried to return them at the store, they told me too much time had elapsed and additionally, that the jewelry department was leased by a third party, so I'd have to take it up with them. Since then I'm very careful about the "Sterling Silver" I buy! I want to pass my jewelry on to my kids, not some junk someone else passed off as genuine!