Look for a Hallmark

• Look for a Hallmark

Hallmarks are the stamps or engravings on the inside of a silver bracelet that tell you about its quality and source. The most common hallmarks are 925, 900, 800, and Sterling Silver. If there is no hallmark at all, it’s probably fake or sterling silver plated (but not pure). It’s rare to find a piece of fine jewelry not marked with a hallmark somewhere on it – even if it doesn’t have one stamped into the metal directly below where your wrist would rest on top of it!

If you spot an inscription but can’t read what it says due to wear or damage: gently tap around with a soft hammer until you make out some letters; bring them up to light; use magnification if needed; ask someone who knows what they’re doing!

Feel the Weight

The weight of a silver bracelet is one of the simplest ways to determine whether it is real, fake or sterling. The heavier it is, the better. Some people believe that if your silver has more than 95% pure silver content, it will be heavier than other bracelets made with lower purity levels.

However, this isn’t always true. All silver alloys have their own specific gravities and densities depending on their composition and manufacturing method; but generally speaking, sterling silver will be heavier than an equal weight of fake or white metal jewelry due to its higher density (and sometimes additional alloying elements).

Check the Price

One of the easiest ways to determine whether your silver bracelet is real or fake is by checking the price. Real silver will cost more than fake silver, but you can find real silver at a reasonable price if you know where to shop and what to look for.

You should not buy from street vendors or from a flea market unless it’s being sold as costume jewelry. Buying online from an established seller may seem like an easy way to get a good deal on something special, but there are risks involved with this kind of purchase too: you could receive counterfeit merchandise instead of your desired piece! If possible, comparison shop in person before making your decision about where you want to buy something like this precious metal accessory.

Finally, never buy anything that seems too good to be true; it probably is!

Consider the Seller

One of the easiest ways to determine whether a bracelet is real, fake or sterling silver is by looking at the seller. If you are buying from a reputable seller, they will know the difference and will not be selling fakes. They should also be able to provide you with a certificate of authenticity if asked for one.

For example, if you are shopping in an actual store and you want to buy something but don’t know what it is made out of (or even if it’s real), ask an employee! Most stores will have employees on hand who can help customers find exactly what they’re looking for as well as answer any questions about items being sold there. When purchasing online through eBay or another site where customer reviews are posted alongside each item listed for sale, check those out too before making your purchase decision!

Examine There Are No Magnetization

If you want to know if your silver bracelet is real, you’ll need to get a magnet and put it near the bracelet. If the bracelet sticks to the magnet then it’s not made of silver and is most likely a fake. If your bracelet doesn’t stick then it could be sterling silver.

Check If There is A Color Change

A color change is the most obvious way to tell a real silver bracelet from a fake one. If you have a silver-plated bracelet, it will turn to a dark color when exposed to air. However, if you have sterling silver or real gold, it will not change color after being exposed to air. This can be tested by taking your bracelet off and holding it in front of you for several minutes.

If there is no color change on either side of your bracelet (the sides facing up and down), then it’s probably real sterling silver or genuine gold. If there is only one side with no change in color (the side facing up), then it’s definitely fake.

Smell it

A good way to tell if an item is real sterling silver, fake or not is by smelling it. Sterling silver has a distinctive smell, so you can use this to your advantage. To do so, hold the bracelet in your hand and gently rub it against your nose while inhaling deeply. If there is no odor, then chances are it isn’t sterling silver at all (and you should be very happy). If there is some kind of smell but not what most people associate with real sterling silver jewelry, then further testing may be necessary before declaring this piece as authentic or not.

Knowing some ways to determine if you’ve got the real deal can save you a lot of money and worry.

Knowing some ways to determine if you’ve got the real deal can save you a lot of money and worry. If you’re still in doubt, consult an expert who will be able to tell you for sure.

• Look at the weight of your bracelet: The weight of silver is about 10 times that of gold, so if your bracelet feels light in comparison to others, it may not be made of silver but another metal that looks like silver like white gold or platinum which are both heavier than sterling silver.
• Check for tarnish: All metals tarnish over time; however, sterling silver doesn’t react with sulfur gasses as much as other types do so its surface won’t get black quickly like white gold or stainless steel would (this process is called “oxidation”).