Characteristics and cost of 925 silver in Russia

Features of the sample

Absolutely all jewelry has a hallmark. It determines the weight content of precious metal in the alloy. There are several types of brands:

• spool;
• metric;
• carat

Until 1927, the spool test was used in the Russian Federation. It determined how many spools weighing 4.2 g were contained in a pound (96 elements) of the alloy. From that time until today, the metric mark has been used. It shows the number of parts of the precious metal in one thousand mass units. The carat type is used all over the world. This test indicates the elemental content of the 24-karat alloy. That is, if the product is marked “19 carats,” then 24 parts of the composition contain 19 shares of gold.

In Russia there is a GOST that regulates branding. It looks like a sample symbol. For example, if the sign “585” is on a ring or chain, then 1000 g of metal contains exactly that much pure gold. The rest is a ligature. The first brand in the Russian Federation appeared much later than in other countries - in the 17th century. It looked like a double-headed eagle with the date of release of the jewelry. And the sample testified not to the composition of the alloy, but to its authenticity.

In 1899, a new image appeared - the profile of a woman’s head in a kokoshnik. After 28 years it was replaced by the face of a worker and a hammer, and after another 31 years - by a sickle against the backdrop of a five-pointed star. Modern jewelers have returned to the 1899 standard.

Gold has several types of hallmarks that distinguish products by composition. 958, 916, 900, 750, 585, 500 and 375 samples are separated. 999 is very rare, but only gold bars are made from this metal, since the pure material is not suitable for creating jewelry due to its dull, unattractive color and softness.

An unusual mark - 925 - is placed on ligature products. Such jewelry can be coated with gold or platinum. Some buyers confuse these items with real platinum items and pay high prices for them. But if you are wondering what kind of metal it is with 925 purity, then you need to know that there is no gold with such a mark. These are silver items that jewelers were able to gild with high quality.

Fashionable sentence. New trends in design. New combinations of two metals at the same time

Young people prefer to buy gold and silver jewelry, focusing on their financial capabilities. When chosen correctly, these noble metals look trendy. Every girl who follows fashion trends knows about a new jewelry solution - a combination of 2 types of elements in one piece of jewelry.

This season, it is more fashionable than ever to wear gold rings, small earrings combined with rings, inlaid with unusual stones or inserts. For people who are not ready to overpay for jewelry, jewelers have developed a series of silver jewelry with interesting gold accents.

And since fashion trends are fickle, it is more profitable for young people to change jewelry made of inexpensive metal.

Men's ring with garnet

Brand of gold

Gold jewelry is made from metal with different compositions. Popular metal samples:

• reddish 375;
• durable 583;
• colorful 585;
• white 750;
• bright yellow 958.

Low-grade gold graded 375 has a reddish tint and turns gray when the polish wears off. Most often in jewelry stores and pawn shops you can find products with the mark 583 or 585. The first metal is an alloy of gold and copper, cast in a red tint, durable, but easily takes any shape. Today, the 583 sample material is used only in Belarus. In other countries it was replaced by the 585 brand; the substance consists of three components and in the light takes on red, pink, white or yellow colors.

The 750 alloy contains silver and copper, so the products appear white or yellow-green. The soft metal of the 958 stamp does not hold polish for long. In the banking industry, gold with a mark of 999 is used to make bars. In practice, it is impossible to achieve a mark of 1000, since in any case the precious material will contain impurities.

Which metal is most often used in accessories?

• Watch. This type of jewelry is most often used as a gift. This means that the choice of alloy directly depends on personal preferences. Gold and silver items are equally popular. The women's line is produced mostly in gold. Men often prefer silver, titanium or steel as a sign of strength.
• Cross. The body jewelry is first worn by a child at the sacred rite of baptism. Such accessories should be exclusively silver, since this metal is officially recognized by the church. It is believed that such an element will protect the owner from negative influences. That is why silver is used more often for such accessories.
• Wedding rings. This type of jewelry is worn constantly, often without taking it off at all. This means it must be durable. It is better to choose gold with a low percentage of pure metal, as such products will last longer. Silver is not suitable for such purposes due to its softness.
• Bracelets, chains, necklaces. They are produced equally in gold and silver.
• Rings and earrings. The range of these decorations is surprising in variety. There are many options for both alloys. These accessories are initially considered feminine, and gold is used more often for production due to greater demand and variety of shades.

Differences of silver

Pure silver is a very soft metal, making it easy to work. To make it more durable, copper is added to it. This procedure is called doping, the additional substance is called a ligature. Copper and silver have similar physical properties, so they are combined.

The testing system used to be very confusing, since each state had its own standards and marks. Therefore, they came up with a percentage scheme that displays the ratio of components in one alloy. A large amount of copper is contained in 800 and 750 standard silver. This metal is usually used in the industrial sector. To create jewelry, material with a grade of 925 or 875 is used.

Metal marked 960 or 999 is not suitable for making items because it contains too much silver. The material is not strong enough, so it will not be able to withstand daily loads. Jewelry made from 999 fine substance is highly valued by collectors. This type of silver is white in color, making it often paired with diamonds and clear gemstones.

How to determine authenticity

If you have doubts about the authenticity of the product, you can check it at home:

• 
  Pass the decoration along a sheet of paper. Silver jewelry will leave streaks.

• Draw a thin line of iodine with a needle. If iodine leaves yellow spots, the product is real. A white coating indicates a fake.
• Silver heats up quickly. If you immerse the product in hot water for a few seconds and then remove it with tweezers, it will be the same temperature as the water in the glass.
• Genuine jewelry is not magnetic.
• You can run chalk over the surface of the product. If the chalk becomes dark, the decoration is genuine.

There are no fakes in official stores. When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the reputation of the store. The low price of the product should also alert the buyer.

Sterling material

It is worth learning about the features of 925 metal. This type of silver is called sterling silver from the name of an old English coin. This was the name of the alloy from which they were minted. According to another version, the name comes from the famous German Easterling family. In the 12th century, five cities of Germany were united in the Hanseatic League, which had active trade relations with England. They were calculated using coins made of an alloy of 92.5% silver and were called Easterlings. The British liked the quality and reliability of the metal, so they made it the standard of the new English currency.

Sterling material is distinguished not only by its fineness, but also by its durability, beautiful shade, and durability. Knives made of this metal do not deform and do not turn black over time. The classic composition is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. It is this that makes the substance plastic, malleable, durable, gives it a cool tint and emphasizes its natural shine.

Jewelry that was made from sterling 6-7 centuries ago is still kept in museums and passed down by wealthy families from generation to generation. In the manufacturing and jewelry industry, silver has maintained its leading position due to its ability to maintain a light shade and precise shape.

Let's figure out if 925 is gold or silver

What is 925 sample? Why aren't jewelry made from “pure” gold? For those who wear jewelry made of precious metals, it is important not only to be confident in the “naturalness” of the product and its quality, but also to understand the terminology. It is not enough to study the samples and price of the metal in order to avoid counterfeits and loss of profit - the alloy, features, and manufacturer affect the quality of the product and determine its final cost.

Platinum and white metal

If in a jewelry store they ask the price per gram of 925 white gold, then they mean silver jewelry with gilding. In another precious metal, nickel, palladium and platinum are added to whiten it. Silver and zinc are rarely found in white gold. Additionally, the products are coated with a layer of rhodium, a substance that belongs to the platinum family.

Nickel can cause allergies, so it is replaced with palladium, which gives the metal strength. Compositions to which platinum is added have better characteristics and greater cost. The hardness of white gold allows jewelers to securely set precious stones, which is appreciated by buyers. Such jewelry is usually 750 or 585, but not 925.

Gold-plated products are overpriced , and platinum is sometimes sold for less than its real price. This material and silver have several common characteristics: strength, cold shine, noble light shade. But platinum is more resistant to mechanical damage.

Alloys can be distinguished externally. If an antique product has corrosion spots, defects, damaged areas, then it is silver. The second metal is less susceptible to scratches and changes in shape. Visually, novices will not be able to tell the difference between the two substances, but platinum has higher light reflectivity and brilliance. Thin chains, earrings and brooches are made from it. Massive products are made from silver, as a cheaper material.

Silver samples and their use

The question of what 925 standard actually is - gold or silver is not advisable, since it does not tolerate any criticism either from the point of view of chemical composition or from the point of view of logical justification. 925 gold is a myth, a deception to attract more buyers. When purchasing for reinsurance, you should pay special attention to the markings and quality certificate applied to the product, so as not to buy a fake.

Application in production

Thanks to the technical characteristics of 925 silver markings, for 300 years it has occupied the first position among other alloys. The copper contained in the alloy gives the metal strength, high malleability and durability.

In the USSR, sterling material was used in the production of contacts, conductors and jewelry. Silver was a quality alternative to gold and platinum, which were unaffordable for ordinary workers. In the Russian Federation, the material was used for the manufacture of:

• serving items and cutlery;
• details of religion - icons, crosses;
• accessories for everyday life and beauty - cufflinks, buttons, pins;
• individual orders - cigarette cases, medals, orders.

Sterling is used in many areas. And the alloy of this metal and cadmium is so rare that its value exceeds the price of gold. It is used during chemical experiments.

The influence of gold and silver on the human body: the opinion of esotericists

Esotericists claim that each metal can have different effects on the human body. Silver has served as a talisman better than gold since ancient times. A woman wearing silver received protection from envy, the evil eye, and damage. It was believed that metal brings good luck and has a positive effect on health. It is recommended to wear silver items:

• with high or low blood pressure;
• people suffering from gastritis with high acidity;
• at risk of developing cancer;
• for problems with the urinary system;
• people with diseases of the nervous system.

Regarding gold, there is an opinion about strong sensitivity to the emotional state of the owners. It is believed that it is better to choose gold if difficult periods of life have come, when a person is overcome by anxiety. Then the jewel will bring peace of mind and help you find the right solution. It is recommended to wear gold jewelry:

• with low stomach acidity;
• obese people;
• with varicose veins;
• people suffering from swelling, accumulation of fluids in the body;
• to strengthen the immune system;
• for depression, sudden mood swings;
• for joint diseases.

Gold jewelry

Cost per gram

In order to find out how much one gram of 925 hallmark silver costs, you need to multiply its discount price by 0.925. Every day the average parameter is set by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. The next day after entering a new indicator, the accounting departments of jewelry stores, pawnshops and credit institutions recalculate the cost of each product.

If sales and purchase transactions occur, market value is also taken into account. Usually it is higher, as it depends on certain risks and conditions. The price is also influenced by the manufacturing technology of the silver item, the weight and prestige of the manufacturer.

The price per gram depends on several parameters. Every year, the London Bullion Exchange publishes a rate of materials in specialized magazines, indicating the cost per ounce. As of March 2021, a jewelry store client had to pay 34.5 rubles for 1 g of 925 silver. The country of manufacture is also important. The most expensive jewelry is offered by Italians; among Chinese companies there are often low-quality alloys or fakes.

There is no gold graded 925, that alloy is silver. Owners of jewelry are often misled, as some items may be covered with gold plating. But the sample is placed directly on the object, and not on the shell. Sterling metal is strong, durable and has the ability to retain its original color and shine.

Metal characteristics

Silver is a versatile metal used in medicine, industry and jewelry. In its pure form it is plastic and easy to process. The strength of silver products is given by the addition of copper or other chemical elements.

The composition of 925 silver may include:

The composition of a metal affects its physical properties. The product changes color depending on the composition. The main task of jewelers is to protect jewelry from oxidation. The best alloy for 925 silver is copper.

One of the main advantages of silver is its beautiful appearance and low cost.