Silver Purity Grades — 999, 925, 900 & More
What each silver fineness means and which grade to buy.
Rates as on 29 September 2026 · Updated 29 September 2026Overview
Silver purity is expressed as fineness in parts per thousand. Fine silver (999) is used for bars and coins, while jewellery and utensils use alloys such as sterling (925) that are harder and more durable. The revised Indian Standard IS 2112:2025 recognises seven silver grades for hallmarking.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Purest grade | 999 (fine silver) |
| Most popular jewellery grade | 925 (sterling) |
| BIS grades | 999, 970, 958, 925, 900, 835, 800 |
| Price rule | Value = weight × 999 rate × (fineness ÷ 999) |
BIS silver grades
| Grade | Silver content | Name | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 999 | 99.9% | Fine silver | Bars, coins, investment |
| 970 | 97.0% | Traditional silver | Silverware, utensils |
| 958 | 95.8% | Britannia silver | Premium articles |
| 925 | 92.5% | Sterling silver | Jewellery, daily wear |
| 900 | 90.0% | Coin silver | Anklets, traditional jewellery |
| 835 | 83.5% | Standard alloy | Utensils, ornaments |
| 800 | 80.0% | Lowest BIS grade | Large utensils, décor |
Which grade should you buy?
999 coins or bars — or a silver ETF.
925 sterling — hard, bright, and holds stones well.
970 / 925 depending on budget.
900–925; check hallmark before paying 999 rate.
Value example
| Item | Calculation | Metal value |
|---|---|---|
| 999 bar | 100 g × ₹250 | ₹25,000 |
| 925 jewellery | 100 g × ₹250 × 925/999 | ₹23,148 |
| 800 utensil | 100 g × ₹250 × 800/999 | ₹20,020 |
Frequently asked questions
Is 925 silver real silver?
Yes — 92.5% silver alloyed with copper for strength.
Why does my 925 jewellery cost more than its metal value?
Making charges, design and GST are added to metal value.
Silver rates are indicative market references (29 September 2026) and change during the day. Rules on tax, hallmarking and investment products can change — verify with official sources. FinancePortal does not sell silver.