Posted by Anirudh Singh Nandawat
on July 06, 2026
Walk into any jewellery store, online or offline, and you'll see "silver" used loosely to describe three very different things: sterling silver, silver-plated jewellery, and German silver. They can look identical in a photo — but only one of them is real silver that actually lasts.
If a "silver" piece you bought has ever turned brassy or patchy after a few weeks, you've likely run into this confusion firsthand. Here's exactly what each term means, and why sterling silver is the only one worth investing in.
Sterling Silver: The Real Thing
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, alloyed with 7.5% copper for strength — pure silver alone is too soft to hold its shape in everyday jewellery. This is why it's stamped 925, a number that refers directly to its silver content.
In India, genuine sterling silver sold by BIS-registered sellers also carries a HUID — a 6-character hallmark code you can verify on the BIS Care app, giving you government-certified proof of what you're wearing.
Why it's worth choosing:
- Solid metal all the way through — not a coating that wears off
- Tarnishes naturally, but polishes back to a like-new shine indefinitely — it never needs replacing, just cleaning
- Generally hypoallergenic, making it safe for sensitive skin and everyday wear
- Holds real resale and exchange value, since it's a genuine precious metal, not a fashion throwaway
- Verifiable and certified, so you're never just taking a seller's word for it
This is the only one of the three that's genuinely built to last — which is exactly why every Kevali piece is crafted from 925 sterling silver, hallmarked and HUID-verified, so you know you're getting the real thing every time.
Silver-Plated: Looks the Part, Doesn't Last
Silver-plated jewellery is a base metal — usually brass or copper — coated with a thin layer of real silver through electroplating, often just a few microns thick.
With regular wear, that plating gradually wears away and the base metal underneath starts showing through. This is almost always why a "silver" piece looks brand new for a month, then turns yellow or patchy — the coating has worn off, and there's no way to restore it.
The trade-offs:
- Cheaper upfront, but the savings don't last
- The plating will wear off — it's a matter of when, not if
- No BIS hallmark possible, since hallmarking applies to solid silver content
- What you save in price, you lose in longevity
German Silver: Not Silver At All
Despite the name, German silver contains no silver whatsoever. It's an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc that simply looks silvery-white. It got the name from its appearance, not its composition.
Why it falls short:
- Zero real silver content, despite the name
- The cheapest option — for a reason
- Can cause irritation for those with nickel sensitivity
- Dulls permanently over time, with no way to restore its shine
Side-by-Side: Why Sterling Silver Wins
| Sterling Silver | Silver-Plated | German Silver | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real silver content | 92.5% | Thin surface layer only | None |
| Hallmark/HUID verified | Yes | No | No |
| Tarnish behavior | Polishes back to new | Wears through permanently | Dulls, never restores |
| Long-term value | Holds resale value | None | None |
| Hypoallergenic | Usually | Depends | Often not |
How to Make Sure You're Getting Genuine Sterling Silver
- Look for the hallmark. A 925 stamp with a verifiable BIS HUID code is non-negotiable proof of authenticity.
- Read the listing carefully. Trusted sellers state "925 sterling silver" explicitly — vague terms like "silver-toned" are a red flag for plated or German silver.
- Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. Genuine sterling silver has a real material cost; if a price seems impossibly low, ask why.
- Check for inner-band engravings. Genuine sterling silver is typically stamped on an interior surface — just like every Kevali piece.
The Bottom Line
Silver-plated and German silver might save you a little upfront, but you'll likely be back to replace them within months — and over time, that costs more than buying right the first time.
Sterling silver isn't just the "premium" choice — it's the only one of the three that's actually built to last, hold its value, and be worn with confidence. When you invest in real 925 silver, you're not just buying jewellery for now — you're buying a piece you'll still be wearing, and loving, years from today.
Every piece in the Kevali collection is genuine 925 sterling silver, BIS hallmarked and HUID-verified — so you never have to wonder what you're actually wearing.