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How to Detect Silver-Plated Copper

When purchasing silver items as collectibles or antiques, you want to make sure that you are getting sterling silver rather than silver-plated goods. Sterling silver is 92.5 percent pure silver, with 7.5 percent made up of other metals. Silver-plated items consist of a base metal (often copper, as both metals have the same malleability) coated with a silver plating. It is difficult to tell them apart, but there are several methods you can employ to tell which pieces are genuine sterling silver.

Instructions

- 1
  Investigate markings to see if there is a reference to "sterling" or "925," either of which would certify that the piece is made from sterling silver. There are also other informative markings, such as duty, city or standard marks. Silversmiths often use their own seals to identify their pieces. See the Resources section for a list of the most common marks.
- 2
  Investigate the item for areas where the silver plating may have rubbed off. If it is an antique, you can see if the copper base is showing through on areas that have had a lot of wear. If the silver has a copper hue, it is probably silver-plated.
- 3
  Take the items to a jeweler for a professional appraisal. Jewelers have acid tests that will show if the silver is genuine or if you have purchased a silver-plated object. The tests are not expensive, but you will have to weigh the cost against the value of the item in question.

Antiques