Understanding Silver Purity
Silver purity, also called "fineness," describes the proportion of pure silver in an alloy. It's expressed as parts per thousand — for example, 925 means 925 parts silver out of 1,000.
Common Silver Purities Explained
999 Fine Silver (99.9%)
The purest commercial form of silver. Used in bullion bars, investment-grade coins (American Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs), and industrial applications. Too soft for jewelry.
958 Britannia Silver (95.8%)
A high-purity silver standard established in England in 1697. Still used today for fine British silverware and specialty items. Higher purity than sterling, but less common.
925 Sterling Silver (92.5%)
The world's most popular silver alloy. The standard for jewelry, flatware, and decorative items. Alloyed with copper for durability. More details: What Is Sterling Silver?
900 Coin Silver (90%)
The standard for US silver coinage before 1965 (dimes, quarters, halves, dollars). Also used in some historical jewelry marked "COIN". Calculate values: Junk Silver Calculator
835 Silver (83.5%)
A standard commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and other European countries. Used for silverware, small items, and some coinage.
800 Silver (80%)
Common European standard, especially in Italy, Germany, and Austria. Frequently found in antique silverware, serving pieces, and decorative items.
How to Read Silver Hallmarks
Silver items are typically stamped with a fineness number (925, 800, etc.) along with:
- Maker's mark — Identifies the manufacturer
- Assay office mark — Where the item was tested
- Date letter — Year of manufacture (British system)
- Country mark — Country of origin
Silver Purity Testing Methods
- Acid test — A drop of nitric acid on the silver surface produces different colors based on purity
- XRF analysis — Non-destructive electronic testing (most accurate)
- Specific gravity — Measuring weight displacement in water
- Hallmark reading — Examining stamps with a loupe