Half the "silver" jewelry sold online isn't silver. It's base metal wearing a costume — a microns-thin plating that looks identical in photos and behaves completely differently on your skin, in your jewelry box, and over the years. Here's how to tell the difference before you pay for it.

What 925 actually means

Sterling silver is an alloy: 92.5% pure silver, 7.5% other metals (usually copper) added for strength. The "925" hallmark is the international shorthand for that standard — a promise stamped into the metal itself. At Rebushar, we take this literally: our maker's mark is an inverted triangle plate engraved in the same 925 sterling as the jewelry. A promise of metal, not marketing.

Plated jewelry: what you're actually buying

Silver-plated pieces are brass, copper, or zinc alloy coated with a silver layer often thinner than a human hair. Nothing wrong with that at a fashion-jewelry price — we say this honestly, as a store that sells both fine silver and fashion pieces. The problem is plated jewelry sold at sterling prices. The plating wears through at friction points within months: ring bands, chain links, earring posts. What's underneath can turn skin green or trigger reactions.

Five checks before you buy

1. Find the hallmark. Look for "925," "Sterling," or "S925" stamped on the piece — clasp, band interior, or a maker's plate. No hallmark on a "sterling" listing is a red flag.

2. Read the description like a lawyer. "Silver-tone," "silver-colored," and "silver-plated" all legally mean "not silver." Only "sterling silver" or "925" mean the metal goes all the way through.

3. Ask about allergies. Genuine sterling is naturally hypoallergenic. If a seller can't answer whether the piece is nickel-safe, assume it isn't.

4. Check the weight. Solid sterling has a satisfying heft. A large "silver" statement piece that feels like a soda can is telling you something.

5. Expect tarnish — and celebrate it. Counterintuitive but true: real sterling tarnishes (and polishes back to brilliant, forever). Many fakes stay suspiciously bright because the coating is lacquered. Tarnish is silver's way of proving it's alive.

Caring for the real thing

Store pieces separately in a dry place, ideally with an anti-tarnish strip. Wear them often — skin contact actually slows tarnish. Polish with a soft cloth; avoid dips and harsh chemicals on stone-set pieces. Solid sterling silver isn't fragile — it's a metal that plans to outlive you and look good doing it.

The bottom line

Fashion jewelry has its place — fun, trend-testing, low commitment. But when a piece matters — when it's meant to be worn for decades and argued over by granddaughters — insist on the hallmark. Every piece in the Rebushar Atelier is one-of-a-kind sterling silver 925, hallmarked, and shipped insured from our US warehouse.