Short answer: the most reliable way to check 92.5 silver in India is to look for the BIS hallmark. It has three parts: the BIS logo, the purity grade (925 for 92.5% silver) and a 6-digit alphanumeric HUID code. You can verify the HUID in the free BIS CARE app. Home tests like the magnet or ice test can only tell you that something is probably not silver; they cannot confirm purity.
What does 92.5 silver mean?
92.5 silver, also called sterling silver or 925 silver, is 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% other metals, usually copper. Pure silver is too soft for idols and jewellery that are handled every day, so a small amount of alloy makes the piece strong enough to hold fine detail and last for generations.
How to read a silver hallmark
- BIS logo: the triangle-shaped standard mark of the Bureau of Indian Standards.
- Purity grade: a number such as 925 (92.5% silver) or 800 (80% silver).
- HUID: a 6-digit alphanumeric Hallmark Unique Identification code that is unique to that piece.
Silver hallmarking in India is voluntary, but since 1 September 2025 any silver that is hallmarked must carry a HUID. That gives every hallmarked piece a traceable record.
How to verify the HUID in the BIS CARE app
- Install the BIS CARE app (Android or iPhone).
- Open the HUID verification option and type in the 6-digit code on the piece.
- Check that the purity, the type of article and the hallmarking centre shown in the app match what you were told.
Home tests: what they can and cannot tell you
- Magnet test: silver is not magnetic. If a strong magnet pulls the piece, it is not solid silver. If it does not, that alone does not prove it is silver.
- Ice test: silver conducts heat very well, so ice melts noticeably faster on it than on most other metals. This is a rough indicator only.
- Tarnish: real silver slowly darkens in air over time. This is normal and is not a sign of poor quality.
None of these tests can tell 92.5 silver from a lower purity. For certainty, rely on the hallmark and a proper bill.
What to ask before you buy silver
- The weight in grams. Silver is priced by weight, so a clear weight lets you compare pieces fairly.
- The purity, written on the bill.
- The making charge, and what it covers (design, finishing, antique work).
- A proper bill with the shop name, weight, purity and price.
How we sell silver at G V Silver
We are second-generation silversmiths in Nagarbhavi, Bengaluru, and we make what we sell. The weight of every piece is shown on its product page, our idols and jewellery are made in 92.5 silver, and our silver articles are available in 82 and 92.5 purity. Browse our silver idols and gold-plated silver jewellery, or visit our showroom to see and weigh any piece in person.
Frequently asked questions
Is 925 the same as 92.5 silver?
Yes. 925 is the purity grade stamped on the piece and means 92.5% pure silver. It is also called sterling silver.
Is silver hallmarking mandatory in India?
Hallmarking silver is voluntary, but since 1 September 2025 any hallmarked silver must carry a 6-digit HUID code.
Why does my silver turn black?
Silver reacts with sulphur in the air and slowly tarnishes. It is natural, and it can be cleaned. Antique-finish pieces are darkened deliberately to show their detail.
Can I check silver purity at home?
Not reliably. Home tests can rule out some fakes but cannot confirm 92.5 purity. Check the hallmark and HUID, and buy from a seller who gives a bill with weight and purity.