How can you tell if a tray is pure silver?

The best way to tell if a tray is pure silver depends on what you mean by pure. It is very unlikely that any tray would be made of 100% pure silver. Generally, the highest purity of silver used to produce serveware is fine silver, which is 99.9% pure silver but still contains trace amounts of other metals. Sterling silver is much more commonly used to make trays and is 92.5% pure. To find out if your tray is made of fine silver, look for hallmarks that indicate its materials. Different countries employ varying silver hallmark systems, so research the marking using trusted online resources on your tray to determine its meaning. Alternatively, if by pure you mean solid silver that isn't plated, try placing a magnet near your tray. A strong attraction indicates that your tray features a thin layer of silver plating over a magnetic base metal. Should you need assistance identifying your tray, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can help you with the process. Find a wide range of silver trays on 1stDibs.