QuestionI have two braclets marked Italy 925 on the clasps, I don't know what that means. Both braclets are gold in color, one is soiled and flat the other has nine small hearts with four square diamonds between each heart, I am not sure if the diamonds are real but could you give me and idea if there is any value in either? Thank you for your time.
Betty
AnswerDear Betty,
The bracelets are sterling silver with a thin gold plated to give a gold color. This is called vermeil. If polished enough the gold will come off and your will then have silver colored bracelets, the color of sterling.
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% other metal, generally copper. The added metal give the silver more strength. Sterling is a soft metal but pure silver is much softer and the added metal is needed for strength. The word "sterling" legally means 92.5% silver. Seeing the 92.5%, you can see where the number 925 which is stamped on the metal originates. A sterling item may be marked with the word sterling or abbreviated or may use the numerical method.
With vermeil,I seriously doubt the stones would be more than fairly inexpensive stones, perhaps man-made stones or CZ's. When in good condition, these would be worth about what a similar sterling bracelet you could see in a store is priced. The value is low compared to gold. Still, the metal is sterling silver and is more valuable than costume items.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
