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Identification of Silverplate

When presented with a piece of sterling silver in one hand and a piece of silver plate in other, most people could not tell the difference. However, the two have a dramatic difference in value. Sterling silver contains 92.5 percent silver, with the remainder of the piece made of another metal, generally copper. On the other hand, silver plate is made almost entirely of a non-precious metal, with a thin coating of silver on it. Knowing if your piece is silver plate or sterling silver can make the difference in buying or selling, and there are a number of ways you can find out.

Things You'll Need

Magnifying glass
Silver encyclopedia or Internet access

Instructions

- 1
  Check your silver piece for the markings "sterling," ".925" or "925/1000." These markings indicate that a piece is made of sterling silver, and the Silver and Gold Exchange states that every piece of sterling silver made in the United States will have these or similar markings. If you cannot find such a marking and you know your piece was manufactured in America, the piece is silver plate.
- 2
  Study the silverware for a maker's mark. This mark will identify the manufacturer of the silver; it can be in the form of a company's name or a stamp, such as England's lion with a raised paw. Research the mark to determine if the maker creates sterling or silver plate.
- 3
  Look for other marks along the silver. For instance, some pieces may have numbers other than ".925" or "925/1000." These numbers indicate the percentage of silver used in the piece; if it is below 92.5, it is silver plated. Other common marks of silver plate include "heavy plate," "triple" and "community."
- 4
  Take your silver to a jewelry retailer or silver store. The experts there can use an acid test to see if your piece is sterling or silver plated. This method should only be used by a professional, as acid will severely damage the piece if used incorrectly.

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