If you’re going abroad on holiday this summer and silver jewellery or a silver item catches your eye in a jeweller’s, antique shop or flea market, how can you be sure that it’s real silver you are buying?
In 1300 during the reign of King Edward I a statute was passed requiring silver items to be tested by "Guardians of the Craft" and stamped with a leopard's head if they met the required sterling standard.
Nowadays we have had a system of hallmarking in the UK, with silver items being assayed and hallmarked in London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh. It’s your guarantee that the item you are purchasing is truly silver, having passed the scrutiny of an independent assay office.
You can test whether an item is really silver with the simple magnet test, real silver is not magnetic. If a piece is strongly attracted to a magnet, it almost certainly contains a base metal. Of course, it’s unlikely you’ll be carrying a magnet in your beach bag or suitcase!
So, what should you look out for when browsing abroad?
In Europe
France - Look for the Minerva head for sterling (.925) or the boar’s head on smaller items.
Germany & Austria - Items are usually stamped with numbers such as 800, 835, 900 or 925, showing the silver content per thousand.
Spain - Regional variations exist, but most genuine silver is marked with 925 alongside a star or scales symbol.
Italy - Look for “925” together with a small lozenge-shaped maker’s mark, often accompanied by “Italy”.
Switzerland - Silver is marked with a bear (for .875 fineness) or a St. Bernard dog’s head (for .925 sterling).
Portugal - Hallmarks include a cat’s head for .833 silver and an eagle for .925.
Greece - Items are typically stamped with 925 or 950. Genuine Greek jewellery often carries an additional maker’s mark.
Turkey - Modern silver is generally marked 925, though enforcement is less consistent, we advise caution when shopping in bazaars.
Shopping for Silver in the Far East
Thailand - Often stamped 925 or Sterling. Thailand is a major producer of silver, especially in Chiang Mai, but standards can vary, so it pays to buy from reputable shops.
India - Silver is marked 925 but hallmarking is not as strictly enforced; it’s wise to buy from established jewellers rather than street markets.
China - Marks can be inconsistent; you may see S925 or simply 925. Counterfeiting is more common here, so proceed carefully.
Japan - Jewellery is usually marked “Sterling” or “SV”. Japanese hallmarking is generally reliable.
Bali & Indonesia - Widely known for handcrafted silver, usually marked 925. However, some tourist-market pieces may contain lower-grade alloys.
Final Thoughts
Beyond hallmarks and quick checks, remember the rule of thumb: if a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is. Buy from reputable shops or dealers when abroad, after all, silver is a joy to wear and collect - but only if it’s the real thing.