How To Distinguish Between Real And Fake Silver Jewelry

Buying a pieace of fake silver jewelry is like throwing your money away. When you try to resell the piece, you could suddenly find that it's a fake. Before buying silver jewelry, read about how to tell geniune silver from fake so that you won't be conned. By doing a few moments of research before shopping, you can save yourself money and heartache. 

• Check for a marker somewhere on the piece. United States law dictates that every piece of metal have a stamp that indicates the type of metal. The U.S. passed this law in 1981. The location of the stamp varies by the piece. For example, in a necklace, it might be located on the clasp while on a ring, the stamp could be on the inside. 


• Rub a piece of the jewelry until slightly scratched. This test is best if you own the piece of jewelry. Try to find a spot that isn't visible when you wear the item like the inside of a ring or near the clasp on a necklace. You can do this yourself, but consider asking a jeweler to do it for you because they are the experts. After rubbing the same spot for several moments, apply a few drops of nitric acid on to the piece. Closely look at the liquid. If the liquid turns green, the item is only silver plated and is a fake. If it turns grey or a cloudy color, it's real silver. 


• Visit reputable stores to buy the item. If you're buying from a private seller, request that the item be checked before you purchase, especially if it's expensive. Go to stores that have store fronts and have been in business for several years. While other sellers might be less expensive, the hassle and headache of buying a fake piece of jewelry isn't worth the lower price.