Purity, Hallmark & Care
Sterling Silver vs Pure Silver
Differences in purity, durability, tarnish and price.
Rates as on 26 September 2026 · Updated 27 September 2026
Today’s silver (Delhi)
₹2,50,000/kg
₹250 per gram, excl. GSTOverview
Pure (fine) silver is 99.9% silver — soft, bright and ideal for bullion. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper), which makes it much stronger for jewellery but slightly more prone to tarnish.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Pure / fine silver | 999 — 99.9% silver |
| Sterling silver | 925 — 92.5% silver |
| Hardness | Sterling is harder and more durable |
| Tarnish | Sterling tarnishes a little faster (copper content) |
Comparison
| Feature | Pure silver | Sterling silver |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | 99.9% | 92.5% |
| Use | Bars, coins | Jewellery, cutlery |
| Durability | Soft, scratches | Strong |
| Tarnish | Slow | Faster |
| Resale | At 999 rate | At 925 value |
| Hallmark mark | 999 | 925 |
How to tell them apart
- Check the hallmark grade (999 or 925) and HUID
- Ask for an XRF purity test at the jeweller
- Magnet test — silver is not magnetic (rules out steel/nickel fakes)
- Weigh and compare with the invoice
Frequently asked questions
Is sterling silver cheaper?
Metal value is 7.5% lower than fine silver for the same weight.
Silver rates are indicative market references (26 September 2026) and change during the day. Rules on tax, hallmarking and investment products can change — verify with official sources. FinancePortal does not sell silver.