Fineness marks show silver purity per 1000 parts. Use this chart with the Silver Calculator to estimate melt value.
| Mark | Purity | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| 999 Fine Silver | 99.9% | Investment bars and bullion coins. |
| 958 Britannia Silver | 95.8% | British silverware standard, higher purity than sterling. |
| 925 Sterling Silver | 92.5% | The standard for silver jewelry and flatware. |
| 900 Coin Silver | 90.0% | Historic US and world silver coinage. |
| 800 Continental Silver | 80.0% | Common in older European silverware. |
A 925 stamp certifies sterling silver: 92.5% pure silver alloyed with 7.5% other metals, usually copper, for added strength.
No. Pure silver (fine silver) is marked 999 and is 99.9% silver, but it's too soft for everyday items. Sterling silver (925) trades a small amount of purity for durability.
Fine silver (999) is nearly pure and mainly used for bars, coins, and investment bullion. Sterling silver (925) is an alloy used for jewelry, flatware, and tableware because it holds shape and resists wear better.