Sterling silver - .925

[madaboutmike]

First time out this spring. I went to a local park I've visited before to test new headphones and Lesche digging tool. Found a bracelet and at first thought it was gold. Brought it home and read the clasp under my jeweler's loupe. There were numbers .925. Is this an indication the bracelet is sterling? Sterling silver is 92.5% silver alloyed with 7.5% copper. Bracelet was made in China and had 25 stones ( probably not diamonds.) Does anybody know anything about silver and why would a silver bracelet be 'plated' over?
Mike

 

[jimw1957]

yes .925 means 925 parts per thousand silver which is also the minimum amount to be called sterling I am not sure why the parts would be copper it could be nickel. By the way other metals such as platinum use the same convention with out the decimal 925 PT or 925 PLAT would be 925 part per thousand platinum

 

[Nancy-IL]

Congrats on your Silver find! Since silver is much cheaper than gold, I've seen in the high end stores where they will gold plate over silver for very inepensive jewelry with a slight touch of class. Cheaper and still pretty. Other than that, I don't know why they would plate over silver. The stones could be a low grade of gems ie. white topaz, etc. Depends on the color, etc. Still a good find! Thanks for sharing and keep us posted. Nancy