how to tell silver vs. silver plated

[Kevin]

Is there any way to tell silver from plating? I don't hold out any hope but I found a little bowl in a thrift store for a dollar. It was tarnished but I used some copper cleaner and it shines like a mirror. There are no markings at all. None. It isn't that big...probably 8 ounces with two little handles.

But is also isn't magnetic. What else could I do besides scratch the base? Any hints? Like I said I don't hold out any hopes that it's solid silver. But there are no seams or anything either. It's just a nice little dust collector.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

If it is sterling silver it will be marked. I have gone through this with many pieces I got from my parents house.

 

[Kevin]

Well darn. It's cute I bought it for my daughter she likes stuff like that. It will still go under the holiday tree.

Ha ha ha! Sorry I couldn't resist. No we have a Christmas tree....it's fake though the darn thing was probably even made in China.

But I digress....so all silver will be marked 92.5 or whatever percentage then? It isn't pewter. It's far too shiny.

I'll look closer when I get home... thanks Jim.

 

[GunnyGene]

Well darn. It's cute I bought it for my daughter she likes stuff like that. It will still go under the holiday tree.

Ha ha ha! Sorry I couldn't resist. No we have a Christmas tree....it's fake though the darn thing was probably even made in China.

But I digress....so all silver will be marked 92.5 or whatever percentage then? It isn't pewter. It's far too shiny.

I'll look closer when I get home... thanks Jim.

Take it to a jewelry shop. They can determine the density of it which will tell you purity/silver content.

 

[ronto]

No markings at all means it is more than likely not silver. Different countries have different marks to indicate silver...925 (92 1/2% silver), 800 (coin silver), STERLING, impressed figure of a standing lion (England), etc.

 

[Kevin]

I think you're right, it does look plated in the sun through a magnifying glass. The bottom has a sort of brushed look to it where it isn't as polished. Anyway, here are a couple pictures. The bell (also a thrift store find) is marked 91.5. Plus the tarnish is different . I should have taken some pictures before cleaning it.

 

[pete44ru]

.

Most silver-plated dishware.cutlery, etc is not only lacking the "sterling" stamp, but usually has a stamp that consists of a few letters (at least "EP") inside an oval or rectangle w/rounded corners cartouche that denotes the type of electroplating & sometimes a maker.


.

 

[powder smoke]

I like it, good find. ps

 

[ken s]

GIA Gemologist, 15 years as a retail jewelry buyer etc.
Silver plate is over a base plate,usually brass. look for telltale signs of brass showing on edges.
Sterling WILL have a stamp. no stamp, not sterling.
Now. after appraising hundreds of diamonds, the final clue is what did you pay.
People are NOT stupid in this computer world. If it was cheap, it is plate.
the thickness of the micron plating determines the quality of the plate. Gorham for example is good plate.
Is the base light? thin? that's a plate sign.
Silver is a Commodity, you buy dollars with it, not the reverse, so if it's sterling, .9999 pure, then it's worth money as
a metal....again, people are not dumb... well mostly
OK..all that said,,,Plate is great,and will give decades of good use, just don't over polish it.
give her the gift, and enjoy.....Ken

 

[737tdi]

Kevin: I did a post here the other day on cleaning silver. If you want that to have an awesome finish, don't polish but take 2 tbsps. of baking soda to 2 cups of boiling water (multiply as required). Place it in a pan lined with aluminum foil shiny side up and let soak for 30 minutes or so. I was shocked out how it cleaned my old silver belt buckles (gets around all of the little crevices). Wipe it down with a cloth after removing from the solution and it will shine like new.

Karl