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How to Tell If You Have Real Silverware

Real silverware is flatware made of real silver. Sets of real silverware are often acquired as wedding gifts and the sets are sometimes passed down through generations of family. Some flatware is plated with silver, but is not silver through-and-through. There are a few ways you can tell if your flatware is real silverware.

Instructions

- 1
  Look for "925" marked somewhere on the pieces of silverware. This mark is usually on the backside of silverware handles. This marking indicates that the pieces are 92.5 percent silver, with the remaining portion made up of sturdy metal to ensure that the pieces are not too soft.
- 2
  Look for "sterling" marked on the back of the silverware if you do not see "925". Any real silverware will have a marking to indicate that it is genuine silver. Make sure, however, you know where your silverware comes from to ensure that the markings are not forged.
- 3
  Learn about the origins of your silverware. If the silverware has been passed down for generations, you can get a better idea of its history. An antique dealer can appraise its worth.

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