Toxic Jewellery
- Published
On Thursday 22nd October, we discussed how some marketplaces are selling items of jewellery containing toxic metals.
If you have a piece of jewellery you're worried about, here are some ways you may be able to tell if it is fake or not:
Price is a big sign. If it's too cheap and too good to be true, it probably is, unless it is on a promotion or offer.
Any legitimate hallmark must have three components; a sponsor's mark, a finesse mark and an assay office mark. If an item just has 925 marked on it, this does not guarantee the quality. 925 stands for 92.5% pure silver, combined with 7.5% other metals.
Check the weight. Solid silver feels dense. A piece that feels suspiciously light may be something to look out for.
Tarnish on real silver can be polished off, a fake may not do the same.
Use a magnet - real silver is not magnetic.
What to do if your silver piece sticks to a magnet:
Stop wearing it and photograph it, including any hallmarks, from multiple angles.
Check the seller's returns policy. Get in touch if the item was bought recently. Ask whether they can confirm the hallmark or provide certification.
Use consumer-protection routes if the seller won't cooperate. Under UK consumer law, items must match their description, and card providers or payment platforms often offer dispute processes for mis-described goods.
