Question 1

Is electroplated silver real silver?

Accepted Answer

Yes, electroplated silver is real silver. However, it is not solid silver. Electroplating is the process of coating a base metal with a thin layer of precious metal. In the case of electroplated silver, sterling or pure silver may be used as the precious metal. Due to the manufacturing process, an electroplated piece will consist primarily of another type of metal, such as nickel. Shop a large selection of silver wares on 1stDibs.

Question 2

Is Gorham silver real silver?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Gorham silver is real silver, however, the silver content changes depending on the item. Some Gorham items are sterling silver, which isn’t pure silver, but a mix of mostly silver and a small amount of another alloy, likely copper. Some other Gorham items are silver-plated. Shop a collection of Gorham silver jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 3

What is the difference between silver and antique silver?

Accepted Answer

The difference between silver and antique silver is age. Items of any age made of silver or a silver alloy may be called silver. The term antique silver refers to silver pieces that are at least 100 years old. On 1stDibs, shop a range of antique, vintage and modern silver tableware and decorative objects.

Question 4

Is Russian silver real silver?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Russian silver is real silver, but it gets a little confusing because they do not have the same sterling silver standards that Europe, Australia, Canada, the United States and other countries associated with the British Commonwealth have. Russian silver is roughly 94.79% pure silver and the rest is copper or other alloys. The British Commonwealth silver standard uses 92.5% pure silver and the rest is copper or other alloys. Shop a collection of authentic Russian silver from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

Question 5

Is Taxco silver real silver?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Taxco silver is real silver. Pieces bearing the Taxco mark come from silversmith workshops located in Taxco, Mexico. The region has been known as a major center for silver production since the 1920s. Find a diverse assortment of Taxco silver jewelry, tableware and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Question 6

Is Wallace silver real silver?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some Wallace silver is real silver. In 1875, Wallace introduced its line of sterling silver flatware, which was 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy metals. The silversmith is perhaps best known for its ornate sterling patterns from the 1930s and ’40s. Among these were Wallace Rose Point, Sir Christopher, Stradivari, Grand Baroque and Romance of the Sea. It's important to note that silverware produced by Wallace prior to 1875 usually isn't real silver. Before the release of the Wallace sterling range, the company primarily manufactured pieces made with German silver, a copper-nickel alloy that contains no real silver. Shop a selection of Wallace silver wares on 1stDibs.

Question 7

Is argent silver real silver?

Accepted Answer

Yes, argent silver is real silver. Also called argentium silver, it is an alloy that consists of 93.5% to 96% silver, depending on the manufacturer's formula. Instead of being mixed entirely with copper, the pure silver in argentium silver is usually combined with a blend of copper and germanium, giving the metal improved heat and stain resistance. On 1stDibs, explore a wide range of silver jewelry, tableware and decorative objects.

Question 8

Is antique silver real silver?

Accepted Answer

Whether or not antique silver is real depends on the piece. Sometimes, manufacturers simply call a gray-silver finish antique silver. In these cases, the item is usually not real silver. It is possible for antique silver to be pure silver, sterling or silver plated. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of silver decorative objects and jewelry.

Question 9

Is Poole Silver real silver?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Poole Silver is real silver. However, the American silversmith didn't produce all of its pieces out of solid silver. Poole developed an electro-plating technique that allowed a thin, durable layer of silver to be applied over sturdy base metals. On 1stDibs, find a range of Poole Silver Co. silver wares.

Question 10

Is Thai silver sterling silver?

Accepted Answer

Most thai silver has more pure silver in it than standard sterling silver. Most sterling silver is 92.5% silver with another alloy, typically copper, making up the rest of the metal. Thai silver often falls in the range of 97.5-99% pure silver, so a significantly higher percentage of it is pure silver, making it softer and less likely to tarnish. On 1stDibs, find vintage and contemporary silver jewelry from top sellers around the world.

Question 11

Is Godinger silver real silver?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Godinger silver is real silver. The American luxury brand produces tableware, decorative objects and giftware out of silver plate. As a result, their silver items have a base metal to which a layer of genuine silver is applied. They are not usually solid silver. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Godinger silver wares.

Question 12

Is silver cutlery real silver?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the make and model whether or not silver cutlery contains real silver. Some flatware contains a percentage of sterling silver, however, not all silvertone flatware contains silver. Shop a wide collection of flatware, including silver, on 1stDIbs.

Question 13

Is Leonard silver real silver?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Leonard silver is real silver. However, the Leonard Silver Company electroplated most of its pieces, crafting them from base metal and finishing them with a thin layer of genuine silver. During the 1970s, Towle purchased Leonard Silver and continued to produce silver-plate serving trays and other silver-plated tableware under the brand name through the late 20th century. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of silver wares.

Question 14

Is Sheffield silver real silver?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Sheffield silver is part real silver, part copper. Sheffield manufactured what is known as a Sheffield plate, which is a “double sandwich” form of plating—it has a sheet of silver on each side of a piece of copper. Shop a selection of Sheffield pieces on 1stDibs.

Question 15

How can you tell silver from silver plating?

Accepted Answer

To tell silver from silver plating, try holding a strong magnet near the item. If the magnet is attracted to the piece, it is most likely silver-plated, as solid silver is unlikely to be magnetic. You can also check the hallmarks. Markings that say silver plate, EP, EPNS, EPBM or BP indicate plating. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer evaluate the piece. Explore a large selection of silver jewelry, tableware and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Question 16

Is Barbour silver real silver?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Barbour silver is generally real silver. However, not all pieces produced by the brand are solid silver. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the American silversmith produced both solid sterling silver and silverplate tableware, flatware and decorative objects. Silverplate items consist primarily of base metal and have just a thin layer of genuine silver applied as a finish. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Barbour silver wares.

Question 17

Is the International Silver Company real silver?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the International Silver Company produced real silver products. The hallmark "IS," however, refers to the brand and does not indicate purity, as International Silver mass produced silverplated flatware and holloware as well as sterling. In order to determine if the piece is real silver, look for the standard marks that indicate purity — the number 92.5 or 925 and the word “sterling” are indicators of sterling quality.

When an object is described as “silver” or “sterling silver,” it means that it contains 92.5% pure silver (the remaining 7.5% consists of copper and/or other alloys). The purity standard was first established in England and later adopted in the United States. The mark on antique British sterling-silver pieces is the lion passant (a lion walking to the left), which signifies a work is 92.5 percent pure sterling; if it’s not there, it is likely silverplate — or not English.

International Silver was a Connecticut conglomerate formed from 17 companies in 1898. It was once the largest manufacturer of silver and silver-plated products in the world.

Find antique International Silver Company serveware, platters and decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Question 18

What's the difference between silver and sterling silver?

Accepted Answer

The difference between silver and sterling silver is its composition. Silver is a general term used to describe metal that is rich in or made completely of the element silver. Sterling silver is a specific alloy with 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals like nickel or brass. Fine silver is the term for 99.9% pure silver. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of silver jewelry, watches, tableware and decorative accents.

Question 19

Is sterling silver real silver or fake?

Accepted Answer

Sterling silver is real silver, not fake. However, it is not solid silver. A piece of sterling silver usually contains 92.5% pure silver, and the remainder of its content comes from base metals. Sterling silver is a popular material for jewelry because it is durable and resists tarnishing. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of sterling silver jewelry.

Question 20

Are sterling-silver spoons solid silver?

Accepted Answer

A sterling silver spoon is mostly fine silver, but not quite solid silver. Sterling silver is an alloyed form of silver, and is 92.5% fine silver and 7.5% copper. You can shop a collection of authentic sterling silver items from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Silver Were

Late 20th Century Symbolist Figurative Paintings

Pierre LaffilléPortrait - Pierre Laffillé - Oil paint on canvas - French Beaux arts, Around 1980

Late 20th Century Symbolist Figurative Paintings

Pierre LaffilléManquise oi mon visage - Pierre Laffillé - Oil paint - French Beaux arts, Around 1980

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Michael MulhernUntitled, Paper #30, 2006

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Michael MulhernUntitled Paper Number 33, 2006

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Michael MulhernUntitled, Paper #34, 2006

Antique 15th Century and Earlier English Medieval Band Rings

Antique Gold Iconographic Band Ring

Antique 1870s Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings

Victorian Pique Earrings Incised with Gold

Antique 18th Century Dutch William IV Tobacco Accessories

Dutch Brass Tobacco/ Smoking Oval Box 18th Century

Vintage 1970s French Modern More Objets d Art and Vertu

Cartier Thermos Flask/Bottle 14k Yellow and White Gold Very Rare Vintage Piece

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Finn Juhl FJ45 Lounge Chairs by Niels Vodder

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Indian Console Tables

17th Century Indo-Portuguese Table

Antique 17th Century Indian Center Tables

17th Century Indo-Portuguese Hall Table

Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Candle Holders

A Pair of Bois de Saint Lucie (Cherry wood) candlesticks

Antique 19th Century English Cabinets

Antique Pollard Oak Cabinet

Antique Late 19th Century German Paintings

Large Framed "Vanitas" Oil Painting

Antique 1780s Scottish George III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Scottish Floor Standing Regulator of Small Size, circa 1780

Mid-20th Century French Retro Brooches

Signed Cartier Vintage Trembleuse Brooch Moveable Flower That Opens or Closes

20th Century British Paintings

Still life with onion plaits, wooden cheese box, fruit a bottle

1970s American Evening Gowns

1970s Larry LeGaspi Jersey Gown with Gold Cording and Cape

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antiquities

Early 19th Century, Pair of Sake Tables, Edo Period, Art of Japan

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Yemeni Antiquities

Sabean Funerary Stone Plaque

1980s Abstract Abstract Paintings

Dorothy HoodDorothy Hood, Untitled, oil on canvas, American Abstraction, 60" x 60", 1980s, 1980s

1950s Still-life Paintings

George WeissbortStill life with onion plaits, wooden cheese box, fruit &amp; a bottle, 1957

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary More Objets d Art an...

Silver Baby Cup (Spoon Included) by John Landrum Bryant

Vintage 1930s American Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver “Lotus” Candlesticks

Antique Late 19th Century British Aesthetic Movement Platters and Serveware

19th c. Meriden Brittania Silver Plate Tray c.1860-1900

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Gilt Silver Putti Place Card Holders, Set of 12, Italy, 1950s

20th Century French Centerpieces

Silversmith BOUILLET - Covered solid silver vegetable dish, 1st Empire period

Antique Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Pitchers

Pitcher and Five Cup Set by Clewell Pottery

Antique 19th Century English Edwardian Sterling Silver

Antique English Sterling Silver Candlestick Candelabra Edwardian Barker Brothers

Antique 1880s American Victorian Tableware

Double Eagle Silver Plated Victorian Figural Napkin Ring, American, circa 1885

Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XV Serving Pieces

19th Century French L Alfénide Christofle Halphen Sterling Silverware and Ladel

Vintage 1920s American Sterling Silver

Tall Sterling Compotes

Early 20th Century English Wine Coolers

Antique English Punch Bowl Set/ Wine Champagne Cooler 20th Century

Vintage 1940s American Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Candlesticks

Mid-20th Century American Modern More Silver, Flatware and Silverplate

Pair of Handmade, Woven , Sterling Silver Baskets by Cartier

Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Barware

Art Deco Silver Cocktail Shaker

Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Barware

Art Deco Silver Cocktail Shaker

Antique 19th Century Burmese Other Serving Bowls

Burmese Silver Bowl

Antique Early 19th Century English George III Sterling Silver

Pierre Laffillé
Portrait - Pierre Laffillé - Oil paint on canvas - French Beaux arts, Around 1980

Pierre Laffillé
Manquise oi mon visage - Pierre Laffillé - Oil paint - French Beaux arts, Around 1980

Michael Mulhern
Untitled, Paper #30, 2006

Michael Mulhern
Untitled Paper Number 33, 2006

Michael Mulhern
Untitled, Paper #34, 2006

Dorothy Hood
Dorothy Hood, Untitled, oil on canvas, American Abstraction, 60" x 60", 1980s, 1980s

George Weissbort
Still life with onion plaits, wooden cheese box, fruit & a bottle, 1957