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It may be still be pure silver, but created in a country that doesn't require stamping. How to Sell Sterling Silver that Is Weighted, Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Check the coloring of the item carefully. Typically found on the bottom of the piece, a silver stamp may include: The words “Sterling Silver’ A numeric value (800, 900, 925, etc.) If it marked with an "800" or "900," your silver is a blend of different metals in which real silver may or may not be present. Sterling silver is 92.5 percent pure silver, often mixed with 7.5 percent copper for hardness. This type of silver has little value, with the silver coating generally wearing off the item in under 20 years time. In order to identify if flatware and other items are sterling silver, the items must be identified with a hallmark or stamp that states “sterling” or “925”. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Place a drop of acid in an inconspicuous place on the item in question. Its chemical symbol, Ag for Argentum is the Latin word for metal. Other areas have different silver markings and different levels for measuring the purity of their silver. The apply a drop of concentrated Nitric Acid and observe the reaction. Most sterling silver objects from reputable sources will feature a stamp that identifies the piece as “925,” “Ster,” or “Sterling Silver,” somewhere on the object. See a time-tested, no-polish way to remove silver tarnish, Association of Small Collectors of Antique Silver, 18 five-minute decluttering tips to help you get organized, Snowflake showcase: An amazing gallery of icy snowflake photos, Funny money? Even if its been hallmarked, they can rigg it to say its real silver. How to get beautiful nails: 9 tips for your next mani-pedi, Disclaimer, Disclosure & Terms of Use Agreement. Locate any marking of "EP," "AI," "XII," the numbers "4, 6, 8, 9 or 12," "Triple" or "Heavy Plate." However, one of the most common tests they can run — scraping a bit of the metal away and then applying a drop of nitric acid — will damage the piece to a small degree. Here are some of the most common numbers you’ll see: .999: Purest form available — aka pure silver, fine silver, investment-grade silver, .958: Britannia silver, produced from 1697 to 1720, .950: Sterling silver, usually found in antique pieces and on silver from France, .925 and up: Sterling silver (stamped on the front ring at right), One definitive way to find out if you have some Sterling silver or Fine silver is to take it to a professional appraiser, antiques dealer, or a pawnshop. Tap the piece with something metallic and listen to the sound it produces. Contrary to popular belief, silver is more of a chemical element, and it’s merely a metal. Ice test: Silver is a very good conductor, and will relay cold or heat very quickly. For more information, you can check out the Association of Small Collectors of Antique Silver. There are also a couple easy home tests you can do to help point you in the right direction. How to tell if something is Silver, Sterling silver plated items have silver hallmarks where it may provide information like the type of another element used in Never miss an important update Click Allow to get notified about important updates only. The difference between silver and plated silver is a matter of value. The laws currently on the books the prohibit misleading marking date all the way back to 1906. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; This indicates that the metal is not sterling silver, but is nickel that has been plated with silver. Looking at gold markings is one of the fastest ways to establish what your jewelry is made of. I have some silverware that are silver. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Apply a few drops of nitric acid. Step 5: Have your silver examined by an expert Consult with an expert if you cannot find stamps to help you tell sterling silver from plated. Silver and Gold Exchange: Is it Sterling? Sterling Silver flatware manufactured in America after 1849 is ALWAYS stamped with one or the following markings: The word STERLING stamped on … If there is no stamp, be leery. "You can conduct the same magnet test by placing a magnet on the surface of the item. What’s inside lava lamps, and how do they work? Silver plated items typically have little intrinsic value. If your silverware is marked sterling it is likely sterling silver unless, of course, it is a forgery. Markings of "STERLING," ".925" or "925/1000" will identify a piece as being sterling silver. … Is It Real Silver: Tips to Know If Your Silver Jewelry Is Real Make no mistake, almost everything these days can be faked. Wear is a good barometer since silver and silver substitutes show their ages quite differently. If you do not see the sterling marking, the item is probably silver-plated. Also, look at surface markings on your item. (It’s not at all uncommon for a precious metal like silver to be combined with another metal — creating an alloy — because pure silver on its own is quite soft. Thoroughly clean the acid from the item to keep it from further damaging the silver or plating. Notice if the metal is wearing down, exposing a darker, dull metal. If the item bears the mark "Sterling Silver," "Ster," "925" or a picture of a lion, then the manufacturer claims that it is made of solid sterling silver. MORE:  See a time-tested, no-polish way to remove silver tarnish. Thoroughly clean the acid from the item to keep it from further damaging the silver or plating. These tests will tell you whether it is real, how pure it is, and even what metal it is if it is not real. Silver coins make a bell sound If it is actually made of silver, then the ice cube will begin to melt immediately upon touching the coin. Silver Queen: What is the Difference Between Sterling and Silver Plate. If an item is truly Sterling silver — which is commonly referred to as “real” silver or solid silver — it will be stamped with one or more of the following hallmarks somewhere on the item (usually on the bottom): If none of these are on the item, you probably have a silver-plated piece, as it’s very rare for a valuable item of Sterling-grade silver to have no mark at all. It was developed as an inexpensive silver and silver plate substitute with the advantage that it does not tarnish. If the magnet sticks, you can make sure that the item isn't copper." One sure way to tell if something is silver is to use a little diluted bleach on the item. amzn_assoc_linkid = "d2bbdc269312936d78f93de2b2edc23d"; Your email address will not be published. Usually the alloy consists of 60% copper, 20% zinc and 20% nickel. If you do not have access to a jeweler, you can check the underside of the ring with a magnifying glass. Drop a drop of silver acid on a silver item to determine whether it is plated or sterling. However, just because it does not stick doesn’t mean it is Sterling — just that it’s not made with steel. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "synchronista-20"; Silver is one of the rare metals out there, though not rarer than platinum or gold – making silver one of the precious metals. Nickel silver is used as the base metal in higher quality silver plated flatware. This is because the pure and sterling silver is lighter than the other less expensive metals that are the base for the silver plated items. Silver. (See several examples of hallmarks from around the world at 925-1000.com and SilverCollection.it.). Silver plated objects are typically labeled “EP,” “EPNS,” or “Silver on Copper.” Nickel silver, on the other hand, will not have the .925 indicator engraving. If it turns dark then it is silver. amzn_assoc_asins = "B005HZLMOG"; How Can I Tell If Something is Made of Silver. How can you avoid some common Craigslist & PayPal scams? // Leaf Group Lifestyle. The layer of silver is very thin, so it will also wear off with time and usage. Get the Silver Testing Kit Here. If the item bears no mark, or if it is marked with the label "EPNS," "EP," "EPS" or "EPC," this indicates that the object is silver-plated and is not solid silver. The definitive but somewhat destructive test is to use a triangular or round file to cut at least 0.1 mm deep into the metal at some obscure spot. Sterling silver always (without exception) will be labeled with the word sterling so since yours does not include that, it is silver plated. If the ring has not been worn, your jeweler will tell you if the ring is plated or whether it's a more precious silver-colored material like platinum. Silver-plated items are often, but not always, marked as such — they’ll typically say something along the lines of silver plate, plated, EP (electroplated) or EPNS (electroplated nickel silver). Simply apply bleach to a silver product. How Much Is a One Dollar Silver Liberty Coin Worth? Fake silver or silver-plated items are generally made of … If green, it is probably fake or silver-plated. Brian A. Watson. Place a drop of acid in an inconspicuous place on the item in question. ), The purity percentages are expressed in decimals,  carried to at least three digits, and should be marked on the piece with a stamped hallmark. (Find out more about acid tests for Sterling silver here.). amzn_assoc_region = "US"; or How Can I Tell If My Silver Flatware Is Sterling Silver or Plated? Your email address will not be published. Like silver and gold, real copper does not have much magnetism. The stamp is usually small and placed on the bottom of bowls and plates or at the end of flatware items. This is an incredibly accurate test to use if you want a … Silver plating was created as an inexpensive way for people who could not afford Sterling to still be able to enjoy the metal’s beauty. These markings identify an item as plated silver. If the acid drop changes to any other color other than cream it is a plated material. Is It Sterling or Is It Silver Plated? Look for a stamp. White metal contains no silver. All silver tarnishes whether it … Sense tests: Silver has a slightly warm yellowish sheen, and a slight scent (which is stronger when heated or wet). Since it’s difficult to tell real sterling silver from something that is silver-plated by appearance alone, here are a few things you can do to test for authenticity: Look for the 925 stamp. Stamping plated articles: “In the case of articles of merchandise made in whole or in part of an inferior metal, having deposited or plated thereon or brazed or otherwise affixed thereto a plating, covering, or sheet composed of gold or silver, or of an alloy of either of said metals, and known in the market as rolled gold plate, gold plate, gold filled, silver plate, or gold or silver electroplate, or by any similar designation… shall be stamped, branded, engraved, or imprinted with the word ‘sterling’ or the word ‘coin’, either alone or in conjunction with other words or marks.”, There are many different grades of silver, each based upon the percentage of the item’s actual silver content. When heated or wet ) your silver flatware is sterling silver. -mixed with plated, turns it to.., 20 % nickel not see the sterling marking, the silver or plating sticks strongly to the piece it. Or how can I tell if a magnet sticks strongly to the sound it produces of sterling... 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