Silver jewelry is becoming a classic in term of fashion standards. It comes with every outfit and can be worn for all occasions. From weddings, business lunches, a day of shopping with friends to evening dates, silver accessories always look great. New styles are incorporating larger pendants on sterling silver chains and most importantly they are a big hit with today's youngsters. Such jewelry is considered to be an investment in quality that stands from time of time. A few silver jewels can accessorize your wardrobe beautifully. Their designs can range from neutral to eye-catching.

Nowadays there are many designer stores that sell authentic silver jewelry. However there are certain things that need to be considered while purchasing such jewels as having the right information may help you get real and unique silver jewels:

First the main difference between real and fake silver jewelry is that the real one has a mark with numbers between 925, these numbers are called sterling and on some jewels there may be such mark with the word. Those numbers mean that there is 92.5 % real silver in the jewel.

Another main difference between real and fake silver metal is that the real one tarnishes, due to the body chemistry. Often the original silver metal is covered with other metals (example rhodium because it looks almost like silver) to protect it from tarnish.

Tests to determine the difference between real and fake silver jewels:

The only way you can practically differentiate real and fake silver is to perform a test. These tests can be done with proper acid at a jeweler. These tests may cost you some money, but they will not be a lot and also it will help you to determine whether your jewelry is made out of real silver metal or not. One of the most popular tests is the nitric test, which has been specially developed to determine if the jewel is real or fake. The test can be performed by you; however a jeweler would be the right person to conduct this test appropriately, this is mainly because of his/her expertise. The jeweler needs to rub a part of the silver jewelry, choose a part of the jewellery that is not noticeable that you want to test, very vigorously. After rubbing the jewel pour some drops of nitric acid on the rubbed surface, if the portion turns out green then the jewel is only silver plated but if the liquid turns to a cloudy grey color then the jewel is a guaranteed sterling sliver piece. Thus you can determine if your silver jewelry is either real or fake.

It is always advisable to purchase sterling silver jewelry from a branded and highly trustworthy sources, they can vary from a local neighborhood jeweler to reliable online retailers. If possible, check out a company's reputation by consulting your friends or relatives. This can help you know the source from where they have purchased their silver jewels and most importantly the kind of experience they have had with that particular retailer. A branded and trustworthy jeweler/retailer can even valuate any jewellery you currently possess. He or she can tell you if the particular silver piece is real or fake. Thus by taking the right step at the right time can help you get a true and authentic silver jewel that is both stylish and of high quality.