You should see one of the following markings or something similar: "9.25," "925/1000," "Sterling," "S/S" or "Sterling 9.25." If you do not see any of these markings, it's highly unlikely the item is genuine silver. If you do not see the sterling marking, the item is probably silver plated.
Most silver plated items are made of silver-on-copper. So if a magnet 'sticks' to the item, it cannot be silver or copper. If a suitable magnet shows the diamagnetic effect the item might be silver (most likely with a coin) or it could be silver-plating on copper. Do not confuse diamagnetism with magnetism.
The easiest way to tell if sterling silver is real is by finding the imprint on your piece. Rings, necklaces, and bracelets made of sterling silver will have a “925” stamp somewhere. On rings, the stamp is usually on the inside band.
If you do not see the sterling marking, the item is probably silver plated. Check the colouring of the item carefully; genuine silver is generally less shiny and colder in tone than silverplate. If you see places where the silver appears to be flaking off or turning green, the item is silver plated.
Acid test.
An acid test can reveal the karat of solid gold jewelry, but it can also show whether jewelry is solid gold or gold-plated. With an acid test, a small sample of the jewelry is removed and exposed to acid to induce a color change. The resulting colors indicate which type of metal the jewelry is made of.
Alternatively, use a drop of vinegar (which is highly acidic) on the scratched piece. If it's real silver, the surface won't get tarnished.
Silverplate Value
The value of silver-plated antiques can range from a few dollars to hundreds or even thousands in rare instances. Generally, the value depends on the age and condition of the piece, as well as factors such as maker, design, and decoration.
Sterling silver (925): This is the standard for silver, identifying a silver item that is at least 92.5% silver mixed with copper to give it strength. Marks on these pieces include 925 or Sterling. Any mark indicating a higher silver content, such as 950, would also qualify as sterling.
As mentioned above, it's important to use a strong neodymium magnet when testing gold or silver for purity. We usually recommend using a 1/2 x 1/8 Inch N42 Disc Magnet.
As silver plated jewellery only has a thin layer of silver bonded to its surface, it can be scratched or tarnished easily. However, with proper care and jewellery cleaning, you could see silver plated pieces last for a long time.
All sterling silver jewellery would have a '925' hallmark applied which is the numbers 925 in an oval surround. The Office Mark shows where the jewellery was tested; the symbol for London is a leopard head, for Birmingham an anchor, for Sheffield a rose, and for Edinburgh, a castle.
Generating Income. Those silver plated items lying around your home might be the cash source you hadn't considered yet. Nickel and copper (the base metals) have value, and recycling programs and scrap metal recycling programs will pay you typically by the ounce for your valuables.
Selling Silver and Silver Plate The Easy Way
Selling silver online is now simple - whether it's napkin rings and flatware or candlesticks and photo frames. Use our free Post Office drop off, or free USPS collection service to receive a cash offer for your silver and silver plated items.
Real silver turns black gradually and relatively slowly, but vinegar can step it up a notch and speed up the process. So, if you put silver bars in vinegar and leave them for 48 hours, a black residue will form on the surface of each piece. Acidic acid induces oxidation, making the tarnish more pronounced.
This type of reaction creates carbonic acid. This carbonic acid is what helps to break down the tarnish and other buildup on your silver jewelry, leaving it clean and shiny. STEP 1: Combine a cup of lukewarm water, ½ cup white vinegar, and two tablespoons of baking soda in a small bowl.
During the test, you will need to make a tiny scratch in the metal, apply a drop of acid to it and look for a reaction. Real gold does not react when it comes in contact with nitric acid. If the jewellery is gold plated, the acid produces a green reaction.
Silver-plated items have a silver coat on top of a base metal. This gives it a lighter, shiny silver color. Meanwhile, sterling silver is an alloy containing 92.5% silver. This gives it a darker, silver hue – glossier but less shiny.
The easiest way to identify authentic sterling silver is by locating an authentication hallmark on the piece itself. Sterling silver chains typically include markings that indicate the metal's composition – most commonly 925, 900, 800 or “SS.” You may need to use a magnifying glass to find and read the hallmark.
In many, but not all cases, silver manufacturers stamped their wares with maker's marks. These antique silverware markings are important for identifying a pattern or finding the official name or value of a specific piece.
Under this definition, silver, which has a density of 10.49 g/cm³, is indeed a heavy metal – as are iron (7.9 g/cm³), nickel (8.9 g/cm³), copper (8.9 g/cm³) and gold (19.32 g/cm³). Heavy metals which are particularly resistant to corrosion are known as noble metals. These include gold, silver and platinum group metals.