What Do 800, 835 and 900 Mean on Silver Jewelry?

Turned a silver ring or bracelet over and found a small 800, 835 or 900 instead of the familiar 925? You have not found a fake. These are older or regional silver standards, and they appear a lot on estate pieces, European imports and antique flatware. This guide explains each number, how it compares with sterling, and what the stamp can and cannot tell you. For the standard mark, see what 925 means.

How do silver fineness numbers work?

A fineness number says how many parts in 1,000 are pure silver, so 800 means 800 parts silver and 200 parts other metal. Sterling is 925, fine silver is 999, and the numbers in between describe alloys with more of the stronger, cheaper metal mixed in, usually copper. The same logic applies to gold and platinum, covered in our gold purity numbers guide and jewelry hallmarks guide. If you want the wider spectrum, read 925 vs 999 silver.

What does 800 mean on silver jewelry?

800 means 80% silver, a lower standard that is real silver but with a larger share of other metal. A general metals reference lists 800 as the minimum silver standard in Germany after 1884, and notes it as a second standard in France and elsewhere. You will most often meet it on German or continental European rings, bracelets and flatware. The extra copper makes it harder, but also, as a rule, more likely to tarnish; see does sterling silver tarnish for how silver reacts in general.

What does 835 mean on silver jewelry?

835 means 83.5% silver. The same reference describes 835 as a standard used mostly in Germany after 1884, and it also appears on some Dutch silver and on coins from several European countries. As with 800, it is genuine silver at a lower purity than sterling. Dealer and collector sources tie particular marks to particular countries, but those attributions are approximate, so treat a country guess as a clue and not proof.

What does 900 mean on silver jewelry?

900 means 90% silver and 10% copper, the traditional coin silver standard. United States silver coins used it from 1837 to 1964, and the name stuck to jewelry and flatware made from melted coins or to the same mix. Because it has less silver than 925, it is a touch lower in silver content and slightly higher in copper. Do not confuse it with 925; the difference is explained in sterling silver vs 925 silver and whether 925 sterling is good quality.

What about 825, 826 and 926?

I could not verify 825, 826 or 926 as real silver standards, and they are most often a worn or poorly struck 925. Sources disagree about 825, with some calling it a lower grade silver and others calling it a misread stamp. No authoritative hallmark reference I found lists any of them. A blurred stamp, a maker's mark next to the number or a sloped digit can make 925 look like 825 or 926. If it matters, a jeweler can test it; our guide to how to tell if silver is real covers simple checks, and what 925 Italy means explains marks that sit beside the number.

How does purity affect value?

Purity changes how much pure silver is in a given weight, so a 20 g piece holds about 16.0 g of pure silver at 800, about 16.7 g at 835, about 18.0 g at 900 and about 18.5 g at 925. That is only the metal content: workmanship, age, condition and demand also drive price, and an old well made 800 piece can be worth more than a plain modern 925 one. We do not give prices because silver prices move, so get more than one written quote before selling.

Are 800, 835 and 900 silver hypoallergenic?

Not automatically. The other 10 to 20% is usually mostly copper, but the exact alloy varies between makers and eras and some older mixes may include other metals. If you have a metal allergy, ask a doctor and choose a piece with a known composition. This is general information, not medical advice.

Does a stamp prove it is silver?

No, a stamp is a statement by the maker, not an independent test. Pieces marked as silver can turn out to be plated or lower in silver than stamped, so for anything valuable have it tested before you buy or sell. If you are thinking of selling, get more than one written quote, because value depends on weight, condition and age, not the stamp alone. Our guides to getting jewelry appraised and estate jewelry explain the process, and how to tell quality jewelry from cheap lists other red flags.

How should I care for 800, 835 and 900 silver?

Care is the same as for sterling: clean gently, dry fully and store away from air and moisture. See how to clean sterling silver and how to prevent jewelry tarnish. Avoid harsh polish on old pieces with patina you like, because it removes a thin layer of metal.

An honest note on what we do

We do not sell 800, 835 or 900 silver, and we do not buy back or appraise jewelry. The pieces we highlight here are 925 sterling silver or 316L stainless steel with plating, and each product page names the base metal of the exact item. Plating wears gradually with daily wear. For a modern sterling option see our 925 sterling silver CZ stud earrings or the Heart Initial Necklace (316L stainless steel with 18K gold plating), or browse stud earrings. US orders ship free and returns are free.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 800 mean on jewelry?

It means 80% silver and 20% other metal. It is real silver at a lower purity than sterling, often seen on German or European pieces.

Is 835 silver real?

Yes. 835 means 83.5% silver. It is a lower standard than sterling, used mostly in Germany and parts of Europe.

What does 900 mean on silver?

It means 90% silver and 10% copper, known as coin silver. United States silver coins used this standard from 1837 to 1964.

Is 800 silver better than 925?

No. 925 sterling has more silver, 92.5% versus 80%, but 800 silver is harder. Value and quality also depend on craftsmanship and condition.

Is 900 silver the same as sterling?

No. Sterling is 925, which has 2.5 percentage points more silver than 900. Both are real silver.

What does 825 mean on jewelry?

I could not verify 825 as a standard. It is often a worn 925 stamp or a regional mark, so have a jeweler test the piece if it matters.

Will 800 silver tarnish?

It can, and the higher share of copper means it may tarnish more readily than sterling. Dry storage and gentle cleaning help.

Does AJLuxe sell 800, 835 or 900 silver?

No. Our featured pieces are 925 sterling silver or 316L stainless steel with plating, and each product page names the base metal.

Written by AJLuxe Team. Last updated: October 2026

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