When shopping for sterling silver, pay attention to the labeling of the jewelry. Only sterling silver made of 92.5 percent silver can be labeled silver, solid silver or sterling silver. If you are purchasing a piece with this information on it, then it has been made with according to the standards set forth by the U.S. government.
Additionally, pieces with a silver plate or silver coating must be labeled accordingly as well. Jewelry that contains the markings “925” and “.925” or “92.5” also means the jewelry is genuine sterling silver. These markings are particularly important if you want to invest in a quality sterling silver product. If you cannot readily identify the markings, ask the seller if they have any certificates or information proving the authenticity of the silver.