Essential tips for safely buying silver jewelry online
With the growth of jewelry e-commerce, many people wonder: “How do I know if a silver store is trustworthy?” or “How do I choose genuine silver jewelry online?” This is a legitimate question – and we at Lionvert Joias are here to clarify everything based on our over 14 years of experience in the industry.
Here are 5 essential tips for buying silver jewelry online with peace of mind:
1. Check if the store sells genuine 925 silver
925 silver is composed of 92.5% pure silver, with the remainder being metals that guarantee durability. Demand a certificate of authenticity and a lifetime warranty on the material, as we offer here at Steca.
2. Analyze the brand’s reputation
Search the company name on Google and social media. Check if the store has an active presence, real customer reviews, and transparent customer service.
3. Check for direct contact channels
Reputable brands offer customer service via WhatsApp, email, and social media. This is a differentiator that builds trust.
4. Examine product photos and descriptions
Real, detailed photos and complete descriptions demonstrate customer care. Avoid stores with generic images or those that don’t list the material.
5. Prioritize e-commerce sites that offer reliable shipping
Steca, for example, offers a flat rate of $9.90 for Vancouver and free shipping on purchases over R$199, ensuring traceability and speed.
How can you tell if it’s silver or steel?
Check the authenticity seal: If it’s genuine silver, it will have the seal guaranteeing its value. If it’s steel, it won’t have this seal.
Use a magnet: Most types of steel are magnetic, meaning the magnet will be attracted to the object. Unlike silver, which is not magnetic.
Color: As mentioned earlier, silver has a cool white sheen or a silvery-gray hue. Steel is usually dark gray or dull silver. However, just by color, you can confuse silver and stainless steel, as they can appear similar in this regard.
Weight: Silver is denser and heavier than steel. Therefore, if you have two pieces of similar dimensions and one is heavier than the other, the heavier one is probably silver.
Don’t be wary of silver-plated counterfeits
Some base metal pieces are coated with a thin layer of silver, making them visually identical to solid silver at first glance. However, over time, this coating can wear away, exposing the base material, which is often of low quality.
Tip: Examine the piece carefully and check for authenticity marks. If in doubt, perform more specific tests, such as the nitric acid test.
Learn about silver hallmarks
One of the common questions that arises when purchasing jewelry is “How do you know if it’s silver or not?” One of the answers is simpler than it seems: When you come across a piece, the first thing to look for is the hallmark. It’s printed on the piece, usually in a very discreet place, such as on the inside. And how do you know if it’s 925 silver? For example, a “925” mark indicates that it is 925 silver, that is, 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals. All 925 silver jewelry should have this hallmark or marking somewhere on the piece, no matter how small or delicate.