What is the difference between silver, silver-plated and gold-plated jewellery?
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Direct answer
Silver jewellery contains a stated silver alloy; silver-plated or gold-plated jewellery has a surface layer over another material.
Ask the seller to identify the base metal and coating, not only the visible colour. Sterling silver is commonly described as 925, but an unexplained stamp should not replace trustworthy documentation. Coatings can wear and may require different care from solid-alloy pieces. The cited US guide explains material descriptions; it does not establish identical hallmarking or labelling obligations for every Pakistani sale.
Sources used
Buying Platinum, Gold, and Silver Jewelry
US Federal Trade Commission
Consumer explanation of alloys, construction and plating. US marking requirements are explicitly not generalised to Pakistan.Source checked:
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