Buying silver jewellery: Key things that nobody tells you

It is considered auspicious to buy gold and silver on Dhanteras. While many people prefer gold, a pocket-friendly alternative you can consider this festive season is silver. Although silver, much like gold, is experiencing a highly volatile rally this year.

1. Check if silver is authentic. You can start by looking for a hallmark stamp like "925". A “925” stamp doesn’t necessarily mean the piece is sterling silver; counterfeit or silver‑plated items can bear fake markings. So, always purchase from a reputable jeweller, and be sure to ask for a receipt and a certificate of authenticity.

2. Silver naturally oxidises and turns dark over time. It doesn’t mean it’s fake or poor quality.

3. Silver jewellery often carries high making charges, ranging from 10% to 25% of its value.

4. Silver hallmarking is not mandatory across all regions, so many small jewellers skip it. That means, the silver you are buying could be not pure.

5. Regularly cleaning silver is essential to maintain the shine, and keep it looking its best.

6. Oxidised silver is not pure silver. It’s often made from mixed metals or silver-plated brass. While it has a stylish look, it usually doesn’t offer the long-term value of pure sterling silver.

7. Silver usually doesn’t include making charges in its resale value. Most jewellers either don’t buy back silver or offer only scrap rates, which are often much lower than the original purchase price.