(a) A person may not sell, manufacture for sale, or possess with intent to sell any item of merchandise made in whole or in part of silver or a silver alloy, which has stamped on it, on a tag attached to it, or on a package in which it is contained, any mark or word, other than the word “sterling” or “coin”, which indicates or is designed or intended to indicate that the silver or silver alloy in the item is greater than its actual degree of fineness, unless the actual fineness of the silver or silver alloy is not less than the fineness indicated by the mark or word by more than 0.004 parts.

(b) For purposes of this section, in any assay or test undertaken to ascertain the fineness of the silver or silver alloy in an item, the part of the silver or silver alloy used may not contain or have attached to it any solder or alloy of inferior fineness used to braze or unite the parts of the item.

(c) In addition to the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the actual fineness of all silver, silver alloy, and solder or alloy of inferior fineness used to braze or unite the parts of the item shall be assayed as one piece and may not be less than the fineness indicated by the mark by more than 0.010 parts.