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

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Tableware

Art Nouveau stem cup Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte ca. 1922

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Tableware

Art Nouveau stem cup Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte ca. 1922

Vintage 1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Japanese Sterling Bud Vases

Antique 1780s European George III Sterling Silver

Pair of George III Candlesticks Made in Sheffield in 1783 by Samuel Roberts

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Sterling Silver

Queille Soufflot - 37pc. Antique French 19th Century Dessert Flatware Set !

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sterling Silver

Antique Set Four 4 English Sterling Silverplated Candlesticks Elkington Co 1854

Vintage 1920s Japanese Tableware

Caviar Set, Mother-of-Pearl with Six Spreaders Two Shells Trimmed in Sterling

Antique Early 1700s English George III Tableware

Set of 12 Early 18th Century Pistol Grip Table Knives

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Sterling Silver

Pair Cased Lobster / Seafood Picks - Harrods - London 1929

Vintage 1930s Japanese Showa Metalwork

Japanese Silver and Gold Imperial Bonbonniere by Mitsukoshi, Showa Era, 1935

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Tableware

Art Nouveau Coffee Service/ Gilt Espresso Cups by Argentor, Austria circa 1910

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Sterling Silver

Hippolyte Thomas - 36pc French Vermeil 19th Century Dessert Flatware Set !

Vintage 1950s English Sheffield and Silverplate

Vintage Viners of Sheffield Punch Bowl Set with 12 Cups, Mid-20th Century

Antique 19th Century Dutch Serving Pieces

Gorgeous Sterling Coffee Pot by Albertus Homan Circa 1830s

Antique 1820s English George III Platters and Serveware

Antique Old Sheffield Plated Fruit Basket by Matthew Boulton 19th Century

Antique 19th Century English Serving Pieces

Antique Large George III Old Sheffield Entree Dish 19th Century

Antique 1820s English George IV Platters and Serveware

Pair of George IV Wine Coasters, Sheffield, 1821 by Smith, Tate, Nicolson

Antique 1830s English George III Dinner Plates

Set Six Georgian Sheffield Plate Plates, Heraldic Crown Engraved

Vintage 1920s Wine Coolers

Antique Punch Bowl Set / Wine Champagne cooler 20th Century

Antique 1850s English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Victorian Tureen and Ladle by Elkington

Antique 1810s English George III Platters and Serveware

Set of George III Gilded Dishes, London, 1817, Solomon Royes John E. Dix

Antique 1770s European George III Platters and Serveware

Royal, a Pair of Serving Dishes Made in Edinburgh in 1773 by Patrick Robertson

Antique 1690s English William and Mary Platters and Serveware

Very Rare Set of Four Trefid Teaspoons, London, circa 1690, Maker AH

Antique 1830s British Georgian Sheffield and Silverplate

Georgian Regency Style Old Sheffield Plate English Samovar, Circa 1830

Antique 1820s English Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Pair of English Old Sheffield Entree Dishes, 19th Century

Antique 1820s English Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Pair Old Sheffield Oval Sauce Tureens Covers 19th Century

Antique 1810s English Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Set of 4 English Old Sheffield Entree Serving Dishes, 19th Century

Antique 1820s English Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Cross Arrow Old Sheffield Plate Entree Dish, 19th Century

Antique 1820s English Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Cross Arrow Old Sheffield Plate Entree Dish, 19th Century

Antique 1820s English Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Pair Old Sheffield Oval Lidded Sauce Tureens C1820 19th Century

Antique 1820s English Regency Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Pair Regency Old Sheffield Plate Candelabra, 19th Century

Antique 1820s English Regency Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Pair of Old Sheffield Regency Wine Coolers, 19th Century

Antique 1820s English Regency Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Old Sheffield Regency Wine Cooler, 19th Century

Antique 1820s English Regency Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Pair of Old Sheffield Regency Wine Coolers, 19th Century

Antique 1830s British Sheffield and Silverplate

Pair of Old Sheffield Plated Entree Dishes Roberts, Smith Co., 19th Century

Antique 1820s English Regency Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Pair of Old Sheffield Regency Wine Coolers by Creswick, 19th Century

Antique 1780s English George III Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique George III Old Shefield Salver 1780

Antique 1780s English George III Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique George III Old Sheffield Plate Chamber Stick, 18th Century

Antique 1840s English George III Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique George III Old Sheffield Plate Chamber Stick, 19th Century

Antique 1780s English George III Sheffield and Silverplate