Like sterling silver, the 925 stamp is the unit that denotes the quality and also the authenticity of a piece of metal. However, it has a different meaning where gold is involved, and it doesn’t mean that the ring you are looking at is made of 92.5% gold.

So, if you are looking for good quality gold-plated sterling silver rings, look for 925 jewelry (gold).With this in mind, if you are shopping for a gold ring, you should avoid all gold rings with the 925 stamp. These pieces are not worth much on the market, given the low-karat level.

gold is cheaper than rings made of solid gold, and these pieces also boasts a beautiful and classic gold luster. At the end of the day, however, your decision is determined by your preference. While there exist many gorgeous pieces of 925 gold rings and jewelry out there, and with the rising popularity of gold vermeil jewelry, it’s important to be aware of the actual value of the jewelry. The simplest way to find your partner's ring size is to 'borrow' a ring they already wear. As engagement and wedding rings are typically worn on the third finger of the left hand, it's perhaps unlikely that that finger is already adorned. Simply choose a ring usually worn on the middle finger instead, and be prepared to go down a size or two for the right fit. If you are considering a ring made of the precious metals, silver or gold, you need to be familiar with the standard features and identifiers of these metals. Otherwise, you will end up with a fake, at a price.Understanding the importance of the 925 stamps is important because its use isn’t limited to sterling silver. In gold, it has a slightly different meaning. The following are a few tips for secretly obtaining your partner's ring size, gleaned from the collective knowledge of our experienced team here at Goldsmiths. Once you have discovered your partner's size, you will be better able to peruse our extensive collection of diamond solitaire and gem-set engagement rings in a full choice of precious metals. Although our collection of women’s silver rings features some beautiful engagement rings and wedding rings to treasure forever, we’ve also got sterling silver rings that make wonderful costume jewellery. Layer up these rings on your fingers or wear across your whole hand to make a quirky statement; remember that silver rings don’t just have to be for your ring finger, they can be a gorgeous treat for yourself too.

For purity, there are several notable ways of determining whether that ring is made of genuine sterling silver or not. It’s also important to know that silver’s rating is based on the grading system, while the rating of gold is based on gold’s purity or karatage. Encourage your loved one to try on their friends or family members’ rings so you can get a better idea of what their ring size might be. It’s important to remember that finger size changes throughout the day and can be affected by things like weather and hydration. We recommend measuring your finger several times over a day to calculate your ideal ring size. Choose a larger size

What if I buy the wrong ring size?

Encourage your loved one to try on their friends’ or family members’ rings so you can get a better idea of what their ring size might be. If you are looking at value and timelessness in costume jewelry, you cannot go wrong with a sterling silver piece coated with gold/ gold vermeil, or 925 gold. We have produced the following printable PDF ring size guides to assist you in finding the correct ring size.

But sometimes, these are not the only identification markers which is why you need to dig deeper and even run some simple tests. For wide shank rings, we recommend going one size larger than your normal ring size, as this ring has a wider band. Since the 925 stamp is not the ideal grading for gold’s purity, you should avoid such pieces when you are looking for a genuine sterling silver piece.

Run the nitric acid test. If you have to run this test, get a professional to do the test because nitric acid is dangerous, and then ask them to pour a drop of the acid on an inconspicuous surface. If the piece is genuine, there will be no effect, or you will have a creamish-white residue. Any other colors from the reaction indicate impurities and non-sterling silver materials. Our silver rings don’t just come with plain bands - some have a twisted or braided design, and some even have petal-inspired bands.