A strong magnet can be a good tool in determining whether your silver antique is solid silver or plated. Silver exhibits weak magnetic effects, so if you hold a magnet up and it sticks to the piece strongly, you can feel pretty confident that the piece isnt silver.

How can you tell real silver from silver-plated?

Check the colouring of the item carefully; genuine silver is generally less shiny and colder in tone than silverplate. If you see places where the silver appears to be flaking off or turning green, the item is silver plated.

Is silver-plated silverware worth anything?

Silver is a valuable metal that has a long-lasting intrinsic value. Therefore, you can melt it down and sell it depending on the metal market. On the contrary, silver-plated items are only worth what the buyer has to offer. Unlike silver that has a melting value, silverplate doesnt.

What is the difference between sterling silver and silver-plated flatware?

What Separates the Two? The most significant difference between the two metals is their origins. Sterling silver is silver mixed with a copper alloy. On the other hand, silver-plated objects are a variety of metals with a thin layer of silver on top.