Most silver-plated items will stick to a magnet since they have a metal alloy base dipped in silver, but sterling silver will not.
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.
The Magnet Test
"If your magnet sticks strongly to the piece, it has a ferromagnetic core and is not silver." Fake silver or silver-plated items are generally made of other metals. This is an easy test that can give you a good idea on whether your item is real silver or not.
Most silver plated items are made of silver-on-copper. So if a magnet 'sticks' to the item, it cannot be silver or copper.
Silver itself is paramagnetic, meaning only a little, but the metal used underneath silver plating likely will be truly magnetic. The simple version of this test is to try and stick the item in question to a magnet. However, not all fake silver is magnetic.
Is silver plate worth anything? Silver plate cannot be melted down and re-sold as sterling silver can, which makes it less valuable than sterling silver. However, there is value in silver plated items which comes less from the value of the silver content than the age, maker and quality of the item.
Buff the silverware to a shine with a soft, nonabrasive white cloth. If the silverware is real, it will leave a slight (or not so slight) black mark. Real silver chemically reacts with oxygen to form a patina (tarnish) while silver plating bonds to the underlying metal, so stainless steel will leave no such mark.
Is nickel silver magnetic? The answer may surprise you. The short answer is no; nickel silver is not magnetic. This metal alloy does not contain any iron or steel.
What is Silver Plated? Silver plated refers to jewellery created by covering a base metal, such as copper or brass, in a very thin layer of sterling silver. The coating can be anywhere from 1 micron to 10 microns thick.
Nickel silver first became popular as a base metal for silver-plated cutlery and other silverware, notably the electroplated wares called EPNS (electro-plated nickel silver). It is used in zippers, good quality keys, costume jewellery, for making musical instruments (e.g., flutes, clarinets).
A trained professional specializing in metals or antiquities should be able to identify silver plated items for recycling. You can also take it to a place that specializes in scrap metal recycling to learn more about what you have and what the value may be.
Generally, the value depends on the age and condition of the piece, as well as factors such as maker, design, and decoration. For example, a good quality example of silverplate made around 1840 can be worth between $5 and $300, depending on its condition and rarity.
Apply a drop of acid to the scratched surface only.
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. If the silver is fake, it will tarnish.
Ice Cube Test
All you have to do is place an ice cube on top of the piece of silver and see how fast it melts. The ice melts rapidly, even at room temperature, if the silver is real. Thermal conductivity easily passes heat through. However, if the silver is fake, the ice will melt slowly.
Not only is silver plated jewellery charming and can be worn by all but it also adds a touch of shimmer and luster to any outfit. However over time it tends to lose its sheen and become slightly tarnished. This happens when the silver reacts with moisture and air leading it to oxidize.
Stainless steel doesn't tarnish either and will remain good for a hundred years if maintained properly. Plated silver, even with good care, will likely only last for around twenty years.
The two most common types of precious metal plating are gold and silver.
We Pay Cash For Vintage Silver Plated Pieces
Some old silver plated items like: jewelry boxes, tongs, cigarette cases can be more ornate and may be worth more than scrap value. We will take the time to go through your collection and sort out such pieces and pay you a much better premium if the retail market permits.
Silver isn't noticeably magnetic. In fact, only iron, nickel, cobalt, gadolinium, neodymium and samarium are magnetic in our everyday lives. Knowing that silver isn't magnetic is useful since it can help you spot fake silver.
Metals such as silver, gold, titanium, platinum, palladium, stainless steel, zinc, pewter, copper, aluminum, and tungsten are not magnetic. However, iron, nickel, steel, and cobalt are magnetic.
Many sterling silver spoons sell for under $50, and silver-plated spoons can be worth under $5. However, the most expensive silver spoon ever sold went for $32,500 at Heritage Auctions in 2021. It was made by famous silversmith Paul Revere, Jr. in 1790.
All genuine pieces of sterling silver have the number 925 stamped somewhere. This number indicates the amount of silver the piece of jewelry contains, and sterling silver contains 92.5% silver. Stainless steel, on the other hand, may or may not come with a stamp.
Weight - sterling silver pieces tend to be lighter vs silver plated, as the base metal weighs plated pieces down. Durability - in the comparison of silver plated vs sterling silver, sterling silver is more durable as the coating of plated silver can wear off with improper care.
A paste of baking soda and water is all you need to clean larger silver items and remove the dull tarnish. You'll need to rub the paste over the items, but the baking soda does most of the work for you without heavy scrubbing – and no toxic ingredients.