Sterling Silver 925 vs PVD 999: How to Spot Genuine Craftsmanship

 

📸 It’s not just silver. It’s Florentine craftsmanship. Click the image to explore our full collections 👉

⚠️ Warning: Not Everything That Glitters Is Silver In the world of home décor and jewellery, appearances can be deceiving. Coatings and vague labels often mislead buyers into thinking they’re purchasing real silver. But when it comes to value, authenticity, and respect for the customer, one thing matters: the hand-stamped 925 hallmark.

🔍 PVD 999 Silver: A Gleaming Illusion PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) 999 silver is not a solid alloy—it’s a microscopic layer of pure silver applied to the surface of an object. • Contains less than 1 gram of silver • No intrinsic value • No hallmark • Not legally recognised as “silver” under UK regulations

In short: it’s a silver-coated item, not a silver item. Yet it’s often marketed as genuine. Legal? Perhaps. Ethical? That’s up to you.

💎 Sterling Silver 925: The Real Deal Sterling silver is an alloy made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (typically copper) for strength and durability. But beware: a printed certificate means nothing. To be legally recognised as sterling silver, the item must bear two official hand-stamped marks:

✔️ “925” Stamp – certifies silver content ✔️ “★1174 FI” Stamp – identifies the maker (SEC OF FLORENCE)

These marks are not added in a factory. They are issued by official authorities after rigorous inspection. Without them, the item cannot legally be sold as silver.

🛡️ Our Commitment: Only Genuine Silver, Always Hallmarked At SEC OF FLORENCE, every frame is crafted from solid sterling silver 925, hand-stamped, traceable, and certified. We don’t sell illusions. We sell truth in metal. Each piece is a gesture of respect. Each hallmark is Florence speaking.

📣 Have you ever bought a “silver” frame that turned out to be fake? 💬 Share your experience in the comments. It might help others avoid the same mistake.