Hello to everyone here at ebay.  I've decided to write a new guide to help everyone make sure to buy real authentic 925 STERLING SILVER jewelry.  I am inspired to write this guide, as I have been finding my searches filled with FAKE Sterling Silver jewelry, impossibly priced, but clouding my searches as it all is claiming to be 925 Sterling Silver in the titles. It is hard to find real authentic sterling silver listed among all the costume jewelry being passed off as 925 sterling silver!

 First clue to buying REAL Sterling Silver is the PRICE! Yes, Sterling Silver CAN be found at very affordable prices, and I give my customers great quality for the best deal possible, but even with all I've bought over time, I could not sell it for less than I paid, and even wholesale, it is not cheap these days.  If the price seems to good to be true, it generally is. 

Notice that these auctions may say 925 Sterling Silver in the titles, but nothing further to PROVE that in the descriptions or pictures. If there is a doubt ASK the seller if the item is hallmarked.  Hallmarking that says 925 doesn't ALWAYS mean genuine however, because alot of the fakes are stamped too, and my own personal source told me so.  He said people come in to have things sized, and he cannot do it because it's not even Sterling Silver.  He also told me, and in my searches I am finding most of these pieces of fake silver are being made in China, along with tons fake Tiffany jewelry and more.  I am seeing tons of fake Tiffany designer jewelry here on ebay that is flying under the radar, so be aware if you collect it and make yourself aware of what it should look like as alot of the fakes are really far off and it does not take a trained eye, others are excellent knock-offs so you really must beware and really know your stuff when it comes to the designer you collect.  I watch unknowledgable people bidding fakes to the sky, and it's a shame.  Alot of it is also listed as the shape of a famous piece and not saying Tiffany in the title. For fun, look up 925 Sterling Silver Square ring, and you'll find a ton of knock off Tiffany cushion 1837 rings for a winning bid of .99! These pieces are even offered with Tiffany Blue boxes or pouches that don't say Tiffany.  There are toggles and other styles of bracelet being offered, and saying you can get it engraved, I suspect you can get it engraved with fake Tiffany logo designs for the asking. Pretty sneaky!  Obviously all of this jewelry is plated copper, brass or some other type cheap metal, although I find sites that are actually being endorsed at the bottom of my searches that are sites to get fake Tiffany!

 I needed a pendant chain that was plain, so I bought a chain from China because the picture on the auction actually showed a hallmarked nice quality chain, but the one I recieved was not even CLOSE to the chain shown in the picture, and it was the poorest quality silver plated PLASTIC!  Shocking but true. Not funny when you get duped. No matter how much you know, who could expect that? Pretty sad how many sellers are getting away with this, but there are no silver police on ebay that make reports and I just cannot be one of those vengeful types who goes around reporting other sellers, but I CAN do my best to educate my customers and friends here on ebay. 

I have found a very effective way to test Sterling Silver jewelry, aside from stamps and hallmarks. I also don't prefer to use acid testers as they invariably ruin the finish.  I say SMELL your piece if you are unsure about it.  Does it have a rank objectionable copper or brassy smell to it? Real genuine 925 Sterling Silver has no smell, just like Gold has no smell.  It is precious metal, it should have no smell.  If the piece smells like copper or brassy metallic smell that burns your nostrils, it is probably only plated Silver.  Your best defense is good offense, KNOW your seller, and KNOW what you are buying by using these tips.  Look for a hallmark AND no matter how funny it sounds, be sure to SMELL your Silver, whether it be Tiffany, other designer brands, or just regular lovely Sterling Silver from different eras and artisans.  The glow of real authentic Sterling glows whiter with time, develops a lovely patina, and will thrill you for years to come.  Don't buy low quality, low grade substitutes, you DO get what you pay for. Please visit my store for some great Sterling Silver and other items ALWAYS from my own collection, hand picked for me, by me, then offered here, for YOU.

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/A-HILL-THRILL-NOW__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Be sure to vote helpful if this guide helped you today, and be sure to check out ALL my guides here on ebay!

http://search.reviews.ebay.com/members/a_hill_thrill

Until we meet on ebay, shop and enjoy!

Hillary a_hill_thrill ebay