What Is Turkish Silver? A Buyer's Guide to Silver Jewelry from Turkey

The short answer

"Turkish silver" means silver jewelry made in Turkey. It describes where a piece comes from, not what it is made of. There is no separate "Turkish" grade of silver.

Most silver jewelry made in Turkey for the international market is 925 sterling silver: 92.5% pure silver alloyed with other metal, usually copper, for strength. That is the same standard used for sterling silver in the UK, Europe and the US. So when a seller says "Turkish silver", the useful follow-up question is simply: is it 925?

Turkish silver vs sterling silver

The two terms answer different questions:

• Sterling silver (925) tells you the metal: 92.5% silver.
• Turkish silver tells you the origin: made in Turkey.

A piece can be both, and most good Turkish silver jewelry is. But "Turkish silver" on its own doesn't guarantee the alloy, in the same way "Italian gold" doesn't tell you the carat. Look for the 925 figure on the listing and a 925 stamp on the piece. At Ruvolla every piece is stamped 925.

If a seller uses "Turkish silver" without stating the alloy, ask. Silver-coloured base metal and silver-plated pieces are also sold, and from a photo they can look the same.

Why Turkey is known for silver jewelry

Turkey has one of the oldest and busiest jewelry trades in the region, and Istanbul sits at the centre of it. In Fatih, the historic district that holds the city's jewellery quarter, casting houses, stone-setting studios and plating workshops work side by side, often in the same buildings. Each specialises in one stage, which lets a single design move from wax model to finished, plated piece within the same few streets.

That concentration of skill is why buyers from Europe, the Gulf and further afield source silver jewelry from Istanbul: a wide range of designs, made by people who have done this work for years, close to European markets.

Designs Turkish silver is known for

Turkish workshops make every kind of contemporary silver jewelry, from minimalist chains to tennis bracelets. A few design traditions stand out:

• The evil eye. The blue eye symbol, *nazar* in Turkish, is everywhere in Turkey and one of the most recognised protective symbols in the world. See our evil eye jewelry.
• Stone-set pieces. Cubic zirconia pavé, tennis bracelets and cluster designs set by hand.
• Symbolic motifs. Hamsa hands, moons and stars, hearts and four-leaf clovers. Our hamsa guide covers one of them in depth.
• Charms and pendants. Small, detailed pieces that suit layering and collecting. See our charms guide.

Is Turkish silver good quality?

It can be excellent, and it can be poor. Quality depends on the workshop, not the country: the alloy, the casting, the stone setting, the plating thickness and the finishing. We cover this in detail in is Turkish silver good quality?.

In short, check four things:

• The alloy is stated as 925 sterling silver, and pieces carry a 925 stamp.
• The weight in grams is shown per design, since silver is priced by weight.
• Plating (gold, rose gold, rhodium) is listed separately from the base metal, ideally with its thickness.
• You are buying from the workshop that makes the piece, or you know who does.

Does Turkish silver tarnish?

Yes, the way all sterling silver does. The silver reacts with sulphur in the air and forms a thin dark layer over time. That is normal and is not a sign of fake silver; a polishing cloth removes it. Plated Turkish silver doesn't tarnish in the same way, but the plating slowly wears with friction. Our silver jewelry care guide explains what to tell customers.

Buying Turkish silver wholesale

If you run a shop or sell online, buying direct from a Turkish workshop usually gives you a wider range and better pricing than buying through a reseller. A few points to expect:

• Minimum orders are usually per design. Ours is 5 pieces per design.
• Production is often made to order in the finish you choose. Ours ships within about a week of payment confirmation, whatever the quantity.
• Samples help you judge design and size. We send samples on request; you cover shipping, and samples are made in a different metal.
• Shipping and import run on terms such as EXW or DAP, and import duty and VAT are paid in your country. Our guide to importing silver jewelry from Turkey covers the details.

Our Turkish silver jewelry wholesale guide walks through the whole process.

About Ruvolla

Ruvolla makes 925 sterling silver jewelry in its own workshop in Fatih, Istanbul, and sells wholesale to boutiques, jewelers and online sellers across Europe, the Gulf and Turkey. Every piece is stamped 925, plating is done in-house, and every design shows its average weight. Browse the full catalogue or apply for a trade account to see wholesale prices.

Frequently asked questions

What does Turkish silver mean?

Turkish silver means silver jewelry made in Turkey. It describes the origin, not a grade of metal. Most Turkish silver jewelry sold internationally is 925 sterling silver.

Is Turkish silver real silver?

Turkish silver jewelry is usually 925 sterling silver, which is real silver alloyed with a small amount of other metal for strength. Because "Turkish silver" only describes origin, check that a piece is stated as 925 and carries a 925 stamp.

Is Turkish silver the same as sterling silver?

Not exactly. Sterling silver describes the metal (92.5% silver); Turkish silver describes where it was made. Good Turkish silver jewelry is both.

Does Turkish silver tarnish?

Yes. Like all sterling silver it darkens slowly as it reacts with the air. The tarnish sits on the surface and a silver polishing cloth removes it.

Why is Turkish silver jewelry popular?

Istanbul has a long-established jewelry trade with many specialist workshops in one place, which produces a wide range of designs, from evil eye pieces to stone-set and minimalist jewelry.

Can I buy Turkish silver jewelry wholesale?

Yes. Ruvolla sells 925 sterling silver jewelry wholesale from its Istanbul workshop to businesses, with a minimum of 5 pieces per design. Apply for a trade account to see prices.