When polished, silver has a characteristic bright white color and a metallic luster. It is stable in pure air and water, but becomes covered with a film of oxidation when exposed to air containing sulfur, hydrogen sulfide, or ozone. Because it is highly malleable, it is widely used in jewelry.
Silver jewelry contains 92.5% silver. The remainder is copper or another metal. This metal is widely used in the manufacture of silver jewelry and cutlery. It is also used to make mirrors, as it is an excellent light reflector and does not tarnish over time. It is also used in the manufacture of dental alloys, in soldering and brazing alloys, electrical contacts, and batteries. Silver inks are used to make printed circuit boards.
Silver has antibacterial properties and silver nanoparticles are used in clothing to prevent bacteria from digesting sweat and forming unpleasant odors.

925 Silver and Sterling Silver are exactly the same — both indicate that the alloy is composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, typically copper. This composition is the international purity standard used in fine jewellery, guaranteeing brilliance, durability and resilience.

The term "de lei" ("legal standard") dates back to the thirteenth century, during the reign of King Afonso II of Portugal, when a law was enacted to punish goldsmiths who produced pieces using inferior alloys. Since then, this standard has remained the benchmark for quality in Portugal and throughout the world.

Investment silver bars carry an even higher purity, corresponding to 999‰ silver (99.9%) — practically pure silver.

All silver pieces legally sold in Portugal must carry:

• Maker's mark — identifying the manufacturer or goldsmith;
• Assay mark of the Portuguese National Mint and Official Hallmarking Authority (INCM) — officially certifying the purity of the metal.

To confirm whether a piece is genuine silver, look out for the following:

1. Hallmarks — look for numbers such as "925", "835" or "999" and the eagle's head assay mark of the Portuguese National Mint and Official Hallmarking Authority (INCM).

2. Brilliance and colour — genuine silver has an intense metallic lustre and a white tone with a subtle warm hue.

3. The magnet test — silver is non-magnetic and should not be attracted to a magnet.

4. The ice test — ice melts rapidly on contact with silver due to its high thermal conductivity.

5. Weight and feel — silver is a dense metal and will feel noticeably heavy for its size.

6. Professional appraisal — at Loja do Ouro, we appraise your pieces free of charge using precise methods certified by the Portuguese National Mint and Official Hallmarking Authority (INCM).

Avoid using acids or abrasive home testing methods, as these can damage your pieces. Professional appraisal is always the safest way to confirm the authenticity of silver.

A prata é um metal precioso e nobre, valorizado pelo seu brilho e pureza, enquanto o aço é uma liga metálica comum (geralmente de ferro e carbono). O aço é mais resistente e económico, mas não possui valor intrínseco de mercado.

As peças em prata são mais valiosas e duradouras, podendo ser revendidas e recicladas. Já o aço é ideal para joias de uso diário pela resistência, mas não é considerado metal precios

The tarnishing of silver is a natural oxidation process. When silver comes into contact with sulphur present in the air, perspiration or cosmetic products, a thin film known as silver sulphide forms on the surface, causing it to darken. This phenomenon does not damage the piece or reduce its value — it is purely a surface reaction. The good news is that tarnishing is fully reversible — simply clean the piece with a suitable polishing cloth or an appropriate cleaning solution.

Tip: Store your silver pieces in dry conditions, away from chemical products. You can also place anti-humidity sachets in your jewellery box to help slow down the tarnishing process.

925 Silver is hypoallergenic and rarely causes skin reactions. However, some particularly sensitive individuals may react to the copper present in the remaining 7.5% of the alloy. In such cases, the ideal solution is to opt for rhodium-plated pieces, which create a protective barrier between the metal and the skin.

All pieces sold at Loja do Ouro are nickel-free, in compliance with European dermatological safety standards.

Silver is resilient, but frequent contact with salt water, chlorine, perfume and chemical products can cause tarnishing and loss of lustre. It is therefore advisable to remove your pieces before showering, entering a swimming pool or going into the sea. After wear, clean with a soft, dry cloth and store in a dry location away from humidity.

Over time, it is natural for silver jewellery to tarnish due to oxidation. This is purely a surface phenomenon and can be easily reversed. Follow these effective methods:

1. Cleaning Silver with Salt and Aluminium Foil

• Place hot water in a bowl with salt and pieces of aluminium foil;
• Submerge the pieces for 5 to 10 minutes;
• Remove, rinse in cold water and dry with a soft cloth.

The brilliance will be restored instantly! Avoid this method if the pieces have glued stones, as hot water may affect the adhesive.

2. Cleaning Silver with Toothpaste
Apply a small amount of white toothpaste to a soft-bristled brush and gently scrub the piece. Then rinse thoroughly and dry well. The natural lustre will return immediately.

3. Specialist Products
There are silver polishes and cleaning solutions available specifically for silver, which are both safe and effective. At Loja do Ouro, we also offer a professional cleaning and polishing service, ideal for antique pieces or those with delicate stone settings.

Tip: Always store your pieces clean and thoroughly dry, individually, in cloth or felt pouches to prevent scratching and tarnishing.

The price of silver is determined by the international market and is fixed in US dollars per ounce (28.35g) by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). In Portugal, this value is converted to euros per gram or per kilogram.

You can view the current spot price here — it fluctuates daily in line with global demand, inflation, mining output and currency exchange movements.

Antes de vender prata — seja em forma de joias, moedas, peças decorativas ou utensílios — é importante conhecer os fatores que determinam o seu valor:

1. Pureza da prata: quanto maior a percentagem de prata pura (por exemplo, 925 ou 999), mais valiosa é a peça.
2. Cotação internacional: a prata é cotada em bolsa e o valor muda diariamente.
3. Marcas de contrastaria: garantem a autenticidade e qualidade da liga.
   

Avaliação gratuita: na Loja do Ouro avaliamos gratuitamente os seus artigos em prata e indicamos o melhor valor de venda.

Yes. Loja do Ouro buys silver jewellery, coins, cutlery, bars and decorative articles — even if worn, tarnished or incomplete. The appraisal is always free of charge and carried out on the spot, with immediate payment by bank transfer, cheque or cash (up to the legal limit).