This sterling silver ring with cubic zirconia stone is stamped 925. It was made by Empress Silver Jewelry, which is a family-owned business that casts jewelry in their workshop in Bulgaria. This ring was made to order in 2023. At under $20 it is an affordable option.
How do you think it tested?
Reading on the largest part of the metal band (both ring and CZ stone under scope):
| Element of Interest | Parts per million (ppm) | Error Range |
|---|---|---|
| None Detected | ||
| Other Elements | ||
| Nickel (Ni) | 1,745 | +/- 246 |
| Copper (Cu) | 43,555 | +/- 1,474 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 620 | +/- 72 |
| Zirconium (Zr) | 29,573 | +/- 967 |
| Niobium (Nb) | 1,842 | +/- 62 |
| Silver (Ag) | 637,865 | +/- 28,112 |
| Iron (Fe) | 664 | +/- 261 |
| Vanadium (V) | 3,967 | +/- 831 |
| Platinum (Pt) | 721 | +/- 128 |
All samples were tested in consumer goods TestAll mode using a Niton XL3t 700S for 60 seconds. Results are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Note: The ring is smaller than the instrument scope, so all metal counts will be lower than if we had a wider and thicker sample. It is helpful to consider the elements in relation to other elements detected.
In the example above, silver is over 92% of all elements detected, if we do not include the zirconium reading which is likely from the CZ stone. However, this isn’t perfect because some metal alloys can contain elements like aluminum that are too light for our instrument to reliably detect. Plated finishes can also impact readings. This particular ring is not plated.
So when we test a small piece of jewelry like this one we are primarily seeking to identify whether lead, cadmium, or other regulated metals are present rather than to quantify the metal constituents in parts per million. In the future we would like to upgrade the XRF so we have the capacity to focus the beam on a 3mm area, which would enable us to test very small jewelry as accurately as possible. You can help support XRF upgrades and maintenance by shopping with our affiliate links (random link to a lead-free item).
Testing Summary:
The ring is non-detect for lead. Sterling silver does not usually contain lead although costume jewelry can be high in lead.
The ring is non-detect for mercury, which is sometimes found in gold.
The ring is non-detect for cadmium, which was used in vintage jewelry solders.
No antimony was detected. We do not have a concern for trace antimony in most jewelry.
This ring scored perfect marks. It is non-detect for all of the elements we look for in jewelry. This is a great option for both the company and product type. We like that it was made to order by a small business. When given the option, we would rather buy an artisan-made ring from a business that produces its products in-house than from a company that imports jewelry components from abroad where contamination and processing may be a concern. However, all components must be thoughtfully sourced no matter the company.
Empress Silver Jewelry may be a good choice for your next silver jewelry purchase. Here is a link to their store. We do not have an affiliate link for this company. We only recommend their sterling silver and CZ options and have not tested their leather cording.
For those who are curious, the cubic zirconia in the ring is not a lead concern. Cubic zirconia is made of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). You can see the reading for zirconium in the reading we took. We have not tested samples of colored CZ stones. Gemstones that are natural or lab created and chemically identical to their natural counterparts are generally good choices for jewelry.
We Prefer:
We like new sterling silver for jewelry because it rarely contains elements of interest. We prefer jewelry stamped 925 to verify the metals content is silver and not a random silver toned alloy used in costume jewelry, which can be high in cadmium or lead. We do not buy unbranded silver products direct from India, due to previous identification of cadmium in silver.
Stamped 925 jewelry is 92.5% silver with other alloyed metals, usually copper, with other very trace elements that do not pose a concern. Antimony sometimes appears but we do not have a concern for trace antimony in jewelry.
Vintage jewelry solders were once made using cadmium, including silver solders. We have not detected cadmium in vintage sterling silver yet, but due to cadmium’s documented use in these products it is a possibility, so we recommend that you stick with newer sterling silver made in the last two decades. Unfortunately, we do not have an exact cut off date for when cadmium solder was abandoned in jewelry, and old reels of solder may persist in workshops, so it may be a good idea to have your vintage and antique silver jewelry tested.
You may prefer to wear unconventional metal jewelry, like stainless steel if you are not allergic to nickel. Carved wood is also an interesting new option from some makers. Here is an example made from sandalwood and ebony wood (affiliate link).
We Recommend:
Disclosure: These are Amazon affiliate links. By shopping for any item on Amazon starting with our links, you help support our business and testing.
The ring shown above is not available on Amazon. It is available direct from the company here. Here are some other sterling silver cubic zirconia options found on Amazon:
Amazon Collection Sterling Silver Solitaire Ring set with Round Infinite Elements Cubic Zirconia
Why we like it: This stamped sterling silver ring is from Amazon’s brand.
Gem Stone King 925 Sterling Silver Solitaire Engagement Ring Round Created Moissanite
Why we like it: This ring is made of 925 sterling silver and moissanite by a reputable company.
Gem Stone King 925 Sterling Silver Sky Blue Topaz Women’s Engagement Ring
Why we like it: Here is a glamorous solitaire ring made of 925 sterling and set with a gigantic cushion cut topaz.
Disclaimer: These items have not always been personally tested by us but are likely to be lead free or low lead and/or cadmium based on our research into the materials, discussions with manufacturers, and/or testing on similar products. We recommend items we would use ourselves.
We provide our XRF testing for general educational or informational purposes only to help consumers identify low lead and lead-free products. We hereby disclaim any and all warranties, expressed or implied, and assume no duty or responsibility with respect to how any person or entity chooses to use the information on this website.