Sterling Silver 925 vs PVD 999: What’s Real and What’s Just Plated?

 

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

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⚠️ Buyer Beware: Not All That Shines Is Silver In the jewelry and home décor world, confusion runs rampant. Coatings and misleading labels blur the line between real silver and imitation. But when it comes to value, authenticity, and respect for the buyer, one thing matters: the hand-stamped 925 hallmark.

🔍 PVD 999 Silver: A Shiny Illusion PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) 999 silver is not a solid metal—it’s a microscopic layer of pure silver vaporized onto a surface. • Usually less than 1 gram of silver • No intrinsic value • No hallmark • Not legally recognized as “silver” in the U.S.

Bottom line: it’s a silver-coated item, not a silver item. Yet many sellers market it as genuine. Legal? Maybe. Ethical? You decide.

💎 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 here’s the catch: a printed card means nothing. To be legally considered 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 aren’t added in a factory—they’re issued by government authorities after strict inspections. Without them, the item cannot be legally sold as silver.

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

📣 Ever bought a “silver” frame that turned out to be fake? 💬 Share your story in the comments. Help others avoid the same mistake.