Don’t Get Fooled: How to Tell If Your Silver Jewellery Is Legit
Is Your “Silver” Jewellery Actually Silver? Let’s Talk
Okay… let’s have a real moment.
You know that piece you bought because it looked so good and the price felt like a win? Yeah… there’s a chance it might not be what it says it is 😅
And listen, this isn’t about shaming anyone—we’ve all been there. The jewellery world can be weirdly misleading, and “silver” gets thrown around a little too casually. So let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense, no gatekeeping, no fluff!
🔍 First things first: look for the .925 stamp
If you take nothing else from this, take this one.
Real sterling silver is almost always stamped .925 somewhere on the piece (usually tiny and a bit hidden, because of course it is). That number means it’s made of 92.5% pure silver—the standard for sterling.
Jewellery should have both a quality hallmark and a makers mark (SDJ for my shop). The lack of maker's mark is usually a sign to be suspicious.
No stamp? It doesn’t automatically mean it’s fake… but it definitely means you should be asking questions!
✨ Real silver tarnishes… and that’s actually a good thing
I know, I know—tarnish sounds like a bad word. But hear me out.
Real silver doesn’t peel, chip, or turn weird colours like green or coppery. Instead, it slowly tarnishes over time, especially if you wear it a lot or expose it to air and moisture.
And the best part? It’s completely fixable. A quick polish and it’s back to glowing like new!
If your “silver” is flaking or changing colour dramatically… yeah, that’s not silver energy 😬
⚖️ It should feel like something
This one is subtle, but once you notice it, you can’t un-notice it.
Real silver has a bit of weight to it. It feels solid, a little more grounded. Not heavy in a bulky way, just… present.
If a piece feels super light, almost hollow or flimsy, there’s a good chance it’s plated or made from a base metal underneath.
Trust your hands on this one—they know more than you think!
🧲 Magnet test: a quick silver check
One easy at-home trick? Grab a magnet. Real silver is not magnetic, so it shouldn’t be strongly attracted.
If your piece snaps right to the magnet, it’s likely not solid silver. That said, this isn’t foolproof—some non-silver metals aren’t magnetic either—so use this as a quick clue, not the final verdict.
💸 If it feels too cheap… it probably is
Okay, this is the tough love part.
Silver is a precious metal. It has inherent value. So if something is being sold for a price that feels suspiciously low, there’s usually a reason.
That doesn’t mean you can’t find affordable silver—but there’s a difference between fairly priced and too good to be true.
And most of the time? If it’s marketed as silver but priced like fast fashion… it’s plated.
🧪 So what’s the deal with plated jewellery?
Plated pieces are made with a base metal (like brass or copper) and coated with a thin layer of silver.
They can look beautiful at first—but over time, that layer wears away. And once it does, you’re left with whatever’s underneath… which is where the discolouration, irritation, and general disappointment tends to show up.
💫 Why this actually matters
This isn’t just about being picky—it’s about how your jewellery lives with you.
Real silver lasts. It ages with you. It becomes part of your everyday story instead of something you replace every few months.
And honestly? There’s something really special about wearing pieces that are made to stay!
🖤 A little note from me
At Le Dragon Argenté, every piece is made in genuine precious metals—no mystery alloys, no cheap plating, no surprises.
Because you deserve to know exactly what you’re wearing, and to trust that it’s going to last, feel good on your skin, and actually be worth it!
✨ Final thoughts
You don’t need to be an expert to make better choices—you just need a few small things to look for and a little trust in your instincts.
So next time you pick up a piece and it feels off… pause. Take a closer look.
Because your jewellery should feel like you—not like a question mark 💖
Thanks for reading,
