The “625” mark on sterling silver jewelry indicates that the piece is made of silver that is 625 parts per 1000, or 62.5% pure silver. This is lower than the standard for sterling silver, which is typically 92.5% pure silver (marked as 925). The “625” stamp is often used for items that contain a mix of silver and other metals, such as copper or alloys, to increase durability while still maintaining a significant silver content.