Key takeaways
- 999 silver means 99.9% pure silver; 925 means 92.5% silver and is commonly known as sterling silver.
- LBMA Good Delivery silver bars require a minimum fineness of 999.0.
- Investment bullion is normally much finer than jewellery or decorative silver.
- Oman recognises silver grades including 999, 925 and 800 for precious-metal articles.
Reading a silver fineness mark
Silver is usually described directly by fineness rather than karat. A mark of 999 means 999 parts silver per thousand, or 99.9%. A mark of 925 means 92.5% silver.
Bullion vs sterling silver
- 999 / 999.9 — commonly used for investment bars and coins.
- 925 — sterling silver, widely used in jewellery and tableware.
- 800 — a lower silver fineness used in some manufactured articles.
Wholesale standard
LBMA Good Delivery silver bars are large wholesale bars and must meet a minimum fineness of 999.0. This standard is different from retail bar sizes, but it provides an important global reference for professional silver trading.
Oman context
MoCIIP has identified 999, 925 and 800 among the approved silver grades in Oman and advises consumers to verify the official hallmark and obtain a detailed invoice from licensed sellers.