If you see the letters EPNS or A1 on your item then it is silver plated.
Silver plate can also have markings that look a bit like hallmarks. Look out for the letters EP or EPNS which stand for electro plate or electro plated nickel silver. It may also have the marking A1 or B1 which denote the quality of the silver plate.
Most silver-plated items will stick to a magnet since they have a metal alloy base dipped in silver, but sterling silver will not.
A silverplate marking, sometimes incorporated into a manufacturer's mark, indicates that the item was made by electroplating a base metal with a relatively thin coating of silver. When items are marked Quadruple Plate, this indicates four layers of silver were applied to the item over the base metal.
As we mentioned, true sterling silver jewelry has a silver stamp that identifies the percentage of pure silver that's found in the piece (925, SS, 92.5, etc.). Silver-plated jewelry won't have this silver stamp.
Scratch test.
If you cut deep enough that you expose underlying metal, you can assume that it is plated. If it appears to be made of a uniform composition throughout, then it is probably solid gold.
Is silver plate worth anything? Silver plate cannot be melted down and re-sold as sterling silver can, which makes it less valuable than sterling silver. However, there is value in silver plated items which comes less from the value of the silver content than the age, maker and quality of the item.
The maker's mark will always be unique. It should have the initials within a shield. The maker's mark will never be “recycled” even if it falls out of use. The maker's mark bears the initials of the maker in a shield approved and registered at the assay office.
The “Magnet” Test
Since silver is paramagnetic, performing a magnetic test is the easiest way to tell if your silver has a high level of purity. The piece is authentic if it does not react, or reacts minimally (meaning without any visible movement). You have to use a strong magnet like a neodymium magnet.
Digits and Silver Quality
Any piece of silver that has more than 92.5 percent silver is considered sterling silver or pure silver. Fine silver is defined as having a silver markings percentage of 99.9% or higher. Therefore, you will be able to look and see “925” or “999” on pieces of silver.
The easiest way to tell if sterling silver is real is by finding the imprint on your piece. Rings, necklaces, and bracelets made of sterling silver will have a “925” stamp somewhere. On rings, the stamp is usually on the inside band. Bracelets and necklaces will often have them on the clasp or on a seperate charm.
Apply a drop of acid to the scratched surface only.
Alternatively, use a drop of vinegar (which is highly acidic) on the scratched piece. If it's real silver, the surface won't get tarnished. If the silver is fake, it will tarnish.
All sterling silver jewellery would have a '925' hallmark applied which is the numbers 925 in an oval surround.
B = Third Quality = 16 grams on 12 pieces = 1 1/3 grams per table spoon or table fork. C = Fourth Quality = 12 grams on 12 pieces = 1 grams per table spoon or table fork.
Maker's marks are the initials or name of the manufacturing firm or other representative symbol stamped into a gold, silver or platinum item. Also called 'Trademarks,' they often provide the only evidence that a certain piece of jewelry has indeed been manufactured by a certain jewelry maker.
If it is Sheffield sterling it will have hallmarks that include a lion passant, a monarch profile and a date letter, along with maker's marks and a crown.
Marks are highly dependent on the types of antiques they are; for example, porcelain artifacts often feature inked or stamped marks on the bottom of their bases, while furniture has a wide array of places that their marks might be located.
There is no recognised system for the marking silver plate or electroplated silver items. Both are, though, commonly marked with EPNS - ElectroPlated Nickel Silver, and EPBM - ElectroPlated Britannia Metal. Any punches in silver plate or electroplated silver are strictly speaking simply marks and not hallmarks.
Silverplate Value
Generally, the value depends on the age and condition of the piece, as well as factors such as maker, design, and decoration. For example, a good quality example of silverplate made around 1840 can be worth between $5 and $300, depending on its condition and rarity.
Pawn shops will typically not buy silverplated flatware, but silver dealers such as Replacements will. You can also get a price list from their website. Private party sales are also an option for you.
The most trustworthy method to test if something is gold plated or solid gold is to have an acid test done it. For the acid test, take a small piece of jewelry, or using a small needle scratch a tiny part in your gold, take a dropper given in the acid kit, fill it with acid.
No, gold-plated does not necessarily mean fake. Gold-plated jewelry and other items are made of a base metal, such as copper or brass, that is coated with a layer of gold through a process known as electroplating.
Look for a stamp
Those stamps are called hallmarks and mean that your piece of jewellery is made of a precious metal such as gold or silver. It might even include letters, AU for gold and AG for silver.