Silver has always been associated with wealth and royalty. It is no wonder that the term “silver spoon” is used to describe those born into a wealthy family.
Silver has been used as currency, jewelry, and for making utensils and other objects since ancient times.
The chemical symbol for silver is Ag, from the Latin word for silver, argentum.
There are different grades of silver, and 800 silver is a high grade of silver. It is made of 80% silver and 20% other metals, usually copper.
What is 800 Silver?
If you’ve seen the stamp on jewelry and wondered what is 800 silver the answer is simple. It’s a standard of silver purity that means 800 parts out of 1000 are silver. The other 200 parts are typically copper.
The purity of silver is measured by a unit called millesimal fineness.
24 is pure silver, while 800 silver is 80% silver and 20% copper as explained.
Most silver jewelry is made of sterling silver, which is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, but a fair amount is made of 800 silver.
The reason why the silver is mixed with 20% of other alloys is because it’s too soft in its pure state. The addition of copper makes it more durable and less likely to scratch.
Here’s a table of other grades of silver and their purities:
| Fineness | Purity | Common Name |
| 999 | 99.9% | Fine silver |
| 958 | 95.8% | Britannia silver |
| 925 | 92.5% | Sterling silver |
How Do You Test 800 Silver?
There are a few different ways that you can test silver to see if it is real or not.
One way is to use a silver testing kit, which will usually come with a silver testing acid and a silver testing needle.
To test the silver, you will first need to make a small scratch on the surface of the metal with the needle.
Then, you will apply a drop of the acid to the scratch and observe the color that is produced. If the silver is real, the acid will turn a milky white color.
Another way to test silver is to use a magnet. If the silver is attracted to the magnet, then it is not real silver.
Finally, you can also use a simple acid test. Similar to the silver testing kit.
To do this, you will need to place a small drop of vinegar or lemon juice on the silver and observe the color that is produced. If the silver turns a milky white color, then it is real silver.
Is 800 Silver Considered Sterling Silver?
No, 800 silver is not considered sterling silver. Sterling silver must be at least 92.5% pure silver, with the other 7.5% being made up of copper or other metals. 800 silver is only 80% pure silver, with the remaining 20% made up of other metals.
If you’re not sure if a piece of silver is sterling or 800 silver, look for a stamp on the piece. “Sterling” will be stamped on sterling silver, while “800” will be stamped on 800 silver.
While 800 silver is a high quality silver, it is not as valuable as sterling silver.
A major difference between 800 silver and sterling silver is that 800 silver is not as strong as sterling silver. Because of its lower purity, 800 silver is more prone to tarnishing and scratching.
For this reason, it is often used in jewelry that does not need to be ultra-durable, such as brooches or earrings. Sterling silver can be used for a wider range of applications, including more delicate pieces such as rings and bracelets.
Another difference is that sterling silver is more common than 800 silver. It’s more valuable, and it’s quite beautiful. If you’re looking for a piece of silver jewelry that is both high quality and affordable, sterling silver may be a good option for you.
800 silver is still more affordable than sterling silver, making it a good option for people who want the look of silver without the high price tag.
How to Polish 800 Silver?
As 800 silver contains alloys that can tarnish, jewelry may need to be polished from time to time.
The best way to clean and polish 800 silver is with a specialized silver cleaning cloth. If a silver cleaning cloth is not available, a soft, lint-free cloth can be used instead.
To clean 800 silver this way:
- Gently rub the jewelry with the silver cleaning cloth or lint-free cloth.
- If the jewelry is still tarnished, mix a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water and gently scrub the jewelry with a soft toothbrush.
- Rinse the jewelry in clean water and dry thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Polish the jewelry with a silver polishing cloth to restore shine.
- Store the jewelry in a clean, dry place to prevent tarnishing.
Alternatively, you can take it to a professional jewelry cleaner. When choosing a cleaner for this purpose, make sure to ask if they are familiar with cleaning 800 silver.
This is because some cleaners use harsh chemicals that can damage the silver as they’re used to cleaning different kinds of jewelry.
Finding a competent silver jewelry cleaner doesn’t have to be difficult. You can ask for referrals from friends or family, or look for reviews online.
Once you’ve found a cleaner you trust, take your jewelry to them and let them clean it for you. This will ensure that your jewelry is properly cleaned and won’t be damaged in the process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 800 silver is a type of silver that contains 80% silver and 20% other alloys that can tarnish over time.
It’s often mistaken for sterling silver or compared to it. The difference is that sterling silver has more silver and is thus of a higher grade. This means it’s less likely to tarnish.
However, 800 silver still makes fine pieces of jewelry and many people prefer it because it’s a cheaper alternative. Then, the tarnish can be cleaned with a cloth, mild dish soap and warm water.
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