How to Detect Silverplate

Hold a magnet over the object in question to see whether it sticks to the object. Genuine silver is not magnetic; modern silver-plated pieces often use a magnetic metal as the base for the plating process. Lack of magnetic pull, however, doesn't completely prove or disprove silver-plating. Many antique silver-plated items have a copper base metal. Copper is a durable and easily worked metal that is not magnetic.

Examine the piece for maker's marks. Beginning in the mid-1300s, silversmiths were required to place a standard mark on their pure silver work to identify it as quality silver. In addition, silversmiths would often include a city mark, a duty mark, a date mark and their personal maker's mark. Pieces that contain these marks are most likely not silver-plated.

Look for the word "sterling" or the numbers "925." Both of these are modern-day markings to indicate the quality of a piece. If there are no markings on the piece, there's a good chance it is silver-plated.

Examine the edges, borders and rim of the piece as well as any areas where handles or feet may have been added for a seamed appearance. Early silver-plated pieces, according to Atlanta-based silversmiths and restoration experts Estes-Simmons, often have a seam around applied pieces where the silver was overlapped. This may also give you an indication to the age of the plated piece because this technique for silver plating was specific to a short period near the late 1700s.