What Is Your Jewelry Really Made From?

A recent news story about inexpensive jewelry sold through Amazon and TikTok Shop caught my attention—not only as a jeweler, but as someone who believes you should know what you are wearing.

According to an investigation reported by JCK, a ring sold on Amazon and advertised as “925 silver” was tested and found to contain an estimated 92.3% cadmium. Charms from a bracelet sold through TikTok Shop, also advertised as 925 silver, were found to contain approximately 33% cadmium.

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal. This doesn’t mean every inexpensive piece of jewelry—or every piece sold through a large online marketplace—is dangerous. It does, however, show how difficult it can be to know what you are actually buying when the seller, manufacturer, and source of the materials are unclear.

What Does “925 Silver” Actually Mean?

The number 925 is not simply another way of saying that something is silver-colored.

Sterling silver contains 92.5% pure silver, or 925 parts silver out of every 1,000. The remaining portion is made from another metal, most commonly copper, which gives the silver more strength than pure silver has on its own.

The Federal Trade Commission explains that the terms “silver,” “sterling,” and “sterling silver” describe products containing 92.5% pure silver.

So when a piece is advertised as 925 silver, that is a specific claim about its metal content—not merely a description of its appearance.

Unfortunately, a tiny 925 stamp is not magical. A dishonest manufacturer can stamp those numbers onto a piece that does not meet the standard. When you are buying from an anonymous seller several steps removed from the manufacturer, it may be difficult to know who is standing behind that claim.

“Silver Tone” Is Not Sterling Silver

Jewelry descriptions can be confusing, especially when similar-sounding terms are used.

Sterling silver or 925 silver should mean that the metal is 92.5% silver.

Silver plated generally means that a thin layer of silver has been applied over another metal.

Silver tone, silver colored, or silver finish describes the appearance of a piece. It does not tell you what the underlying metal is.

The word alloy simply means that two or more metals have been combined. Sterling silver is itself an alloy, but a description such as “silver alloy” without further explanation tells you very little about what the piece contains.

That does not automatically make plated or base-metal jewelry bad. The important part is that it should be described accurately so you can decide what you are comfortable buying and wearing.

Why Material Transparency Matters to Me

In my studio, I work primarily with sterling silver, fine silver, copper, brass, and niobium. Some pieces also have a 14k gold-filled ear-wire option.

I identify those materials in my product descriptions because you deserve to know what is touching your skin.

When I describe something as sterling silver, I am referring to the actual metal—not its color. Fine silver is identified as fine silver. Copper is identified as copper. Brass is identified as brass. My earring listings explain which ear-wire materials are available rather than grouping everything under a vague term such as “hypoallergenic metal.”

The stones are identified, too. If a piece contains turquoise, carnelian, garnet, amethyst, or another gemstone, I want you to know what it is.

This is not the most exciting part of a jewelry description, but it is one of the most important.

There Is a Person Behind Handmade Jewelry

One of the quieter benefits of buying handmade is accountability.

You know who created the piece. You can ask what it is made from, how it was constructed, and how to care for it. If you have a sensitivity or concern about a particular metal, you can ask before purchasing.

That connection does not exist with every mass-produced product listing. The seller may not have made the jewelry, handled it, or even seen it in person. Product photographs and descriptions may have been supplied by someone else entirely.

A low price can be tempting, particularly when two pieces look similar on a screen. But photographs cannot show you the purity of silver, the contents of an unknown alloy, the strength of a soldered connection, or the care taken during construction.

Those details are hidden inside the finished piece.

A Few Questions Worth Asking

Before buying jewelry from an unfamiliar source, look beyond the photograph and consider:

• Are the materials clearly identified?

• Does “silver” mean sterling silver, silver plate, or merely silver colored?

• Is there a real maker or established company behind the product?

• Can you contact someone with questions?

• Does the price seem realistic for the materials being claimed?

• Are the gemstone and ear-wire materials specifically named?

None of these questions guarantees that a piece is perfect. They can, however, help you distinguish a transparent seller from a listing built around vague or misleading language.

Knowing What You Are Wearing

I don’t share this story to frighten anyone or suggest that every inexpensive piece of jewelry is unsafe.

I’m sharing it because words such as “sterling silver” and “925” have real meanings—and because honesty about materials should be a basic part of selling jewelry.

Whether you are buying a treasured handmade pendant or a fun pair of everyday earrings, you should not have to guess what they are made from.

At Divella Designs, you are always welcome to ask.