Silver Purity Guide
Understanding Silver Purity
Silver is a precious metal known for its luster, malleability, and versatility. In the market, silver products come in various purity levels, which directly affect their value, appearance, and durability. Here is an essential guide by Aahi to understanding silver purity and how to check it.
Common Silver Purity Levels
1. Fine Silver (99.9% Pure Silver)
- Composition: Contains 99.9% pure silver and 0.1% trace elements.
- Characteristics: Extremely malleable, bright luster, prone to scratching and bending.
- Uses: High-end jewellery, coins, bars, notes, and other investment bullions and collectibles.
2. Sterling Silver (92.5% Pure Silver)
- Composition: Contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper).
- Characteristics: Durable, maintains a bright finish, more resistant to wear.
- Uses: Silver god idols, statues, jewellery, silverware, and decorative items.
3. Britannia Silver (95.8% Pure Silver)
- Composition: Contains 95.8% pure silver and 4.2% other metals.
- Characteristics: Softer than sterling silver, more prone to scratching.
- Uses: High-quality silverware and art pieces.
4. Coin Silver (90% Pure Silver)
- Composition: Contains 90% pure silver and 10% other metals.
- Characteristics: Durable and resistant to wear, often used in coins.
- Uses: Historical coinage and vintage silver items.
5. Silver Alloys (70%-80% Pure Silver)
- Composition: Contains 70%-80% pure silver with the remainder being other metals.
- Characteristics: Less pure, more affordable, and often used in larger items.
- Uses: Silver utensils,Silver articles, tableware, and puja articles.
6. T100 Silver (99.9% Pure Silver)
- Composition: Contains 99.9% pure silver and 0.1% trace elements.
- Characteristics: Ensures the highest quality, bright luster, and durability.
- Uses: Specially crafted for Silver Utensils,silver puja articles, dining sets, and tableware products,
7. Antique Silver
- Composition: Varies, often treated to have a vintage appearance.
- Characteristics: Designed to have a vintage or aged appearance, often through a chemical process that darkens the metal.
- Uses: Silver god idols,Vintage-style jewellery, decorative items, and collectibles.
8. Oxidized Silver
- Composition: Varies, treated to create a darkened patina.
- Characteristics: Silver treated to create a darkened patina, enhancing design details and giving a unique look.
- Uses: Silver god idols,Jewellery, decorative items, and artistic pieces,silver puja articles, Silver Utensils
How to Check Silver Purity
Hallmarking
- Description: Look for official hallmarks stamped on the silver item, indicating its purity and authenticity.
- Example: A '925' stamp denotes sterling silver.
Acid Test
- Description: A chemical test where a small drop of nitric acid is applied to the silver item to observe the reaction.
- Note: This test should be performed by professionals to avoid damage.
X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometry
- Description: A non-destructive test using X-rays to determine the metal composition of the item.
- Use: Commonly used in professional settings for accurate purity readings.
Magnetic Test
- Description: Silver is not magnetic. Using a magnet can help identify if the item has a significant amount of non-silver metals.
- Limitations: This test is not definitive as some non-silver metals are also non-magnetic.
This guide by aahi provides essential information on understanding and checking the purity of silver products, ensuring you have the knowledge needed to appreciate the value and authenticity of your silver items.
For any specific concerns or questions about your silver items and their purity, feel free to contact our customer service team for personalized advice and support.
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