Although the Byzantine chain is impressive in appearance, the difference between the real and the fake is often difficult to see with the naked eye.
A significant portion of the products sold under the name "Byzantine knitting" in the market are:

• hollow casting,

• fake alloy,

• machine mold production,

• These are imitation chains that come in bulk from China.

This guide technically explains how to distinguish a real 925 sterling Byzantine chain , counterfeiting techniques, weight analysis and oxidation behavior.

1. 5 Key Features of a Real 925 Silver Byzantine Chain

To determine whether a Byzantine chain is original or not, you first need to know its “supposed structure.”

The following five characteristics are key indicators of a high-quality, 925 sterling, solid-braided Byzantine chain:

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1) Ring Thickness and Knitting Density

The real Byzantine weave is created by interlocking hundreds of tiny rings at millimetric angles.

In the original knitting:

• Ring spacing is tight

• The chain stretches but does not give any slack

• The braid doesn't let go

• The nodes look like "knots"

• It gives a feeling of "flow" when you roll the chain in your fingers.

On fake/cast chain:

• Low ring count

• The knitting pattern is the same, repeating blocks are noticeable

• When viewed side by side the chain appears "intermittent"

• It is hard when rolled and makes a rubbing sound.

The DNA of Byzantine knitting is knitting density.

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2) The Nature of the "925" Stamp

Having a stamp alone is not enough.

Fact 925:

• The stamp is not laser, but most of the time it is steel stamping.

• The print is slightly embedded in the surface

• There will be microscopic deformation on the sides (this is natural)

• The stamp appears consistent on different links of the same chain

In Chinese imitations:

• 925 printing is flat like laser writing

• It is extremely clean

• It is not embedded in the metal surface, it just remains “like writing”

• When wiped, gray equivalent metal appears underneath.

Imprint → Only a hint, never trust alone.

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3) Weight Test (The Most Powerful Method)

Full 925 sterling Byzantine chains are quite heavy due to their dense weave and high metal content .
Cuban or Rope chains of the same size are generally lighter.

The table below compares the typical ranges of genuine Osiris Byzantine weights and fake/hollow counterparts based on a 60cm length:

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➤ Approximate Weight Comparison Table (Based on 60 cm)

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What does this mean?

• A genuine Byzantine chain is almost 30–70% heavier than a fake chain of the same thickness.

• If weight information is not in the product description → ⚠️ the product is suspicious .

• Since the weight of hollow chains is low, the braid durability also decreases and they can break in a short time.

Weight is one of the quickest and surest ways to spot a fake Byzantine chain.

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4) Oxidation (Tarnishing) Behavior

925 silver oxidizes, meaning it darkens over time.
This darkening appears uneven and natural .

Real 925 oxidation:

• Dark grey → light black

• More dense in ring junctions

• Not like a stain, but like a “smoke” effect

• Once polished it looks bright silver again.

In counterfeit alloys:

• Not tarnishing → rusting

• Yellow/green tones are seen

• There is a chemical smell, like an acid smell.

• When you clean it, it doesn't shine, it becomes matte.

Most customers don't know this — so those selling knock-offs are comfortable.

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5) Stretch Quality of Knitting (True Discriminative Test)

When the Byzantine took the chain in his hand and pulled slightly from both ends, the chain:

• Balanced stretches

• Maintains its shape

• The integrity of the ring is not compromised

• When you let go of your hand, it returns to its original state.

In cheap castings:

• The chain does not stretch, it is directly “stretched”

• The form is broken

• When the chain is tilted, artificial symmetrical blocks appear

This test immediately reveals the quality of workmanship.

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2. Real Silver Tests (Home and Professional)

There are various tests to verify whether the silver used in Byzantine chains is genuine.

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1) Magnetic Test (Rapid Screening)

925 silver is non-magnetic.
If the magnet attracts the chain:

→ There is an alloy
→ High in nickel or zinc
→ It is close to fake

(Note: The lock part can sometimes be slightly magnetic because it contains a spring mechanism; test the entire chain.)

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2) Ice Test

Silver is the world's best heat conductor.

Place the real Byzantine chain on an ice cube:

• Ice melts like glass

• Noticeable in 2–4 seconds

False alloys → do not conduct heat, ice does not melt.

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3) Acid Test (For Professionals)

When nitric acid is dropped:

• Real 925 → misty gray

• Fake → greenish, brown or orange

This test is not recommended for home use, but you can request it when you go to the jeweler.

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3. How to Identify Imitation Byzantine Chains from China? (Industry Facts)

Most of the chains today come from sources such as AliExpress, Alibaba, DHGate, etc.

• hollow

• embossed pattern,

• zinc alloy,

• Castings cost 10 lira.

Tricks used in the industry:

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1) The “Heavy Plated” lie

Alloy plated with dark silver.
It looks really bright, but the color fades after 2–3 weeks.

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2) Machine pattern knitting imitation

They print the exact image of the real Byzantine weave onto the mold.
The chain is not actually knitted → it is embossed.

The following symptoms occur:

• Repetitive patterns

• Holes that look like rings but do not join together

• When you rotate it at the wrist, the surface moves like a "block"

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3) Completely hollow body chains (hollow construction)

Hollow production is China's most frequently used cost-cutting method.

Disadvantages:

• Once broken it cannot be repaired

• The weight is always low

• Stretch quality is zero

• May break in 1–2 months

They call these chains “Byzantine” but in reality there is no braid.

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4) 925 Stamp Imitation Laser Writing

It looks very clean, very smooth.
The real stamp is more organic.

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4. 6 Questions to Ask When Buying a Byzantine Chain (The Ultimate Buyer's Guide)

Millions of people will be searching for this on Google → a golden list linking it to sales:

1. How many grams does it weigh?

2. Are the photos macro shots?

3. Is the chain entirely hand-knitted or machine-cast?

4. Is there a 925 test report or certificate?

5. Are the return conditions clear?

6. Is the locking mechanism solid or hollow?

If the answers to these questions are unknown → that product is not real Byzantine.

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5. Brief Summary

“A true Byzantine chain is recognized by its high weight, tight link weave, natural oxidation, flexible form, organic 925 stamp and regular flow feel.
Hollow castings, forged alloys, and Chinese machine molds are generally light, rigid, and have repeating block patterns.”