Does anyone know what 835 stamp on a silver chain means? I am hoping the silver is not alloyed with lead or something like that :0( it was sold to me as sterling which obviously it is not. Still, it is a nice chain...Looks like the type you find Native American Pendants on - those handmade elongated/oval shaped links....this one has a braided or twisted look to the link versus the usual flat/high polished link. But, I just noticed the 835 stamp :0( any ideas? Is it safe to wear?

Hey Cara I'm a good copy and paste gal...here's something I found:

Look for marks on the sterling silver items. Check your silver based on the numbers you find. If marked .925, it is likely newer sterling silver. The .950 mark identifies older and slightly better-quality sterling silver, while .835 is a common European silver. The mark 800 indicates 80 percent silver and 20 percent alloy.

Read more: How to Identify Silver Hallmarks | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5676519_identify-silver-hallmarks.html#ixzz240gXuHup

and from wiki.answers: 835 is the purity hallmark of European silver, which is 83.5% silver and 16.5% copper.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_835_silver_means#ixzz240h4TyNS

Thanks so much - I read that but it doesn't mention what the other alloys are and if it is safe to wear...I can't seem to find much on it. I didn't even think to check before leaving feedback - it looked like silver ...felt like silver and only now did I look for the stamp. darn it. it is pretty though - I just worry about content

If you are pretty sure it is silver, then it just means that it is 83.5% sterling instead of the more typical 92.5% with the 925 stamp. It is sometimes referred to as British Silver or European. I am not sure though what the other components are that make up the other....pause, need to do the math.......16.5% of it. I believe it is safe and I have never heard of anyone using lead in it. It's just got a little less silver and a wee bit more alloy material.

The 835 mark can be on any metal, even platinum or gold, but that is not as common as it is to be found on silver. It just means it is 83.5% silver or gold or platinum.

Hopefully others will chime in to help ease your mind about wearing it. I would wear it without worry, if it were me.

did you see what I added after I posted? could be copper mixed?

and from wiki.answers: 835 is the purity hallmark of European silver, which is 83.5% silver and 16.5% copper.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_835_silver_means#ixzz240h4TyNS

Just saw that Newbie replied while I was delayed in my response. Hope the extra info helps anyway. I hope you can enjoy your necklace without worry.

thanks so much ...Now I will wonder if it might be gold ...wouldn't that be a hoot? :0) I removed some of the links as it was SO long and trailed down my back when I hooked into the link where I liked to wear my pendant...I left it long for several days to be sure I didn't want to wear it doubled etc. but it just overpowered the pendant that way. So, there is enough extra chain to make another necklace (that's how long it was!). Anyway...if it is gold (prob not)...I don't think I would have cut it - but too late now! :0) Since it is safe to wear - I will not worry about it - it goes so perfect with my pendant (though I would rather yellow gold for it...but pendant is heavy and to find a heavy enough chain in my price range these days?) :0)

hey, I hear copper is good for aches and pains...gotta lot of those! (and, I think copper is safe to wear) :0)

I need a full copper body wrap

hahahahhahahhahahahahhahahhahahahahahhahaa you and me both!