Read the numbers
999 means 99.9% silver; 958 means 95.8%; 925 means 92.5%; and 800 means 80%. In a 20 g piece these correspond to 19.98, 19.16, 18.5 and 16 g of fine silver, before allowing for non-silver components.
Metal content versus retail price
At a reference price of 4 per gram of fine silver, 20 g of 925 silver has a metal value of 20 × 0.925 × 4 = 74. Workmanship, stones, taxes and retail charges can change the invoice total. Silver-plated objects cannot be valued as if their whole weight were silver.
Description and care
“Solid silver” does not necessarily mean 100% purity. Tarnish alone does not prove that silver is fake. Clean gently using a method suited to the finish and any stones; ask a professional when unsure.
Sources and references
Educational content by Thahby; figures are illustrative. Content reviewed: 1 October 2026.