Question 1

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 2

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 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

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 13

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 14

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 15

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 16

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 17

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.

Question 18

How do I tell if a teapot is silver or silver plated?

Accepted Answer

To tell if your teapot is silver or silver plated, look for markings. Sterling silver teapots often show some type of markings, while silver plate pieces rarely have hallmarks. An expert licensed appraiser can assist with identification. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of expertly vetted silver teapots.

Question 19

How can you tell if a silver plate is real silver?

Accepted Answer

To tell if a silver plate is real silver, first try holding a magnet close to it. If the magnet sticks, the piece may be silver-plated, meaning that it is primarily a base metal with a thin layer of pure silver over top. Alternatively, a magnetic plate may be crafted out of an entirely different material that simply has a silver-tone appearance. You can also research any hallmarks on the plate using trusted online resources or ask a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer to give their expert opinion on the material. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of silver plates.

Question 20

Is F.B. Rogers silver real silver?

Accepted Answer

Yes, F.B. Rogers silver is real silver. However, most pieces produced by the American silversmith are not solid silver. The company is best known for manufacturing silverplate, which sees a thin layer of genuine silver applied to objects made of base metals. Find antique F.B. Rogers Silver Company furniture and decor for sale on 1stDibs.

Silver Were

Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Antique Victorian Large Niello Heart Locket and Chain

Vintage 1920s German Bauhaus Tea Sets

Bauhaus Tea Egg by Christian Dell

Antique 1780s English Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Old Sheffield Plate Wine Cooler 18th Century

Antique 1790s English George III Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Pair George III Four Light Candelabra Matthew Boulton 18th C

Antique Mid-19th Century Sheffield and Silverplate

Antique Old Sheffield Embossed Wine Cooler, circa 1830

Antique Early 19th Century English More Dining and Entertaining

A highly important pair of George III cast Britannia Standard Serving Tongs made

Antique Mid-19th Century English More Dining and Entertaining

An exceptionally rare pair of Cast Nut Crackers made by Elizabeth Eaton.

Antique Early 19th Century Irish More Dining and Entertaining

A set of six George IV Dessert Knives made in Dublin in 1825 by Samuel Beere.

Antique Late 19th Century Metalwork

Chinese Export Silver Tea Caddy

Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Inkwells

Antique English Silver Tortoiseshell Inkwell

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Candelabras

Puiforcat Silver Plate Candelabra

21st Century and Contemporary British Artisan Drop Earrings

Emma Chapman Turquoise Ruby Silver Statement Earrings

Mid-20th Century Italian Candlesticks

Pair of Buccellati Silver Candlesticks

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Tea Caddies

Elkington Silver Tea Caddy

Antique 19th Century Chinese Aesthetic Movement Planters and Jardinieres

Chinese Export Silver Jardiniere

2010s British Art Deco Cufflinks

Ruby Enamel Silver Dress Set

Antique Mid-19th Century Thai Metalwork

Set of Six Thai Silver Photduang Bullet Coins

Vintage 1920s English Decorative Baskets

Large Antique Hand-Pierced Silver Basket

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Bangles

Antique Wide Silver Bangle Circa 1890

Early 2000s Other Art Style More Art

"Candlesticks, silver-plated bronze, " Two Candlesticks, 2000

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Urns

Art Deco silver-plated recipe cocktail shaker

Antique 1890s Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork

Chinese Export Silver and Copper Bowl

Early 20th Century American American Classical Table Lamps

Pair of Hand Hammered Silver Lamps

20th Century More Objets d Art and Vertu

Watson Sterling Silver Floral Handle Grape Shears/Scissors

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Link Bracelets

A Pair of Silver Victorian Acorn Bracelets

Antique 19th Century Korean Other Metalwork

Pair Korean Iron Box with Silver Inlays Joseon Dynasty

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Pair of Silver Milo Baughman Swivel Chairs

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Picture Frames

Vintage Italian Mirror Crystal Edge Frame and Beveled Decoration

20th Century Canadian Brutalist Collectible Jewelry

Vintage Guy Gilles Vidal Brutalist Cufflinks in Silver Plated Pewter

20th Century Unknown Decorative Boxes

Samuel Pemberton English Sterling Silver Vinaigrette Box

Vintage 1960s English Retro Brooches

Retro Silver Marcasite Floral Brooch Hallmarked London 1964

Antique 19th Century British Table Lamps

19th Century Silver Plated Corinthian Column Table Lamp

Vintage 1920s Mexican Art Deco Stud Earrings

Deco Sterling Silver Spratling Mexican Screw-Back Earrings

Antique 1850s English Decorative Boxes

Antique English Victorian Sterling Silver Gilt Vinaigrette Box Frederick Marson

Antique 1810s English Candlesticks

Georgian Sterling Silver Candle Holders / Candlesticks by Matthew Boulton

Antique 18th Century English George III Candlesticks

18th Century George III Silver Candlesticks by Matthew Boulton

Antique 17th Century Chinese Antiquities

Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Solid Silver-Gilt Dragon Ruyi Sceptre, circa 1660

Antique 1820s English Decorative Boxes

Highly Important George IV Silver Gilt Coronation Box

Vintage 1940s Mexican Retro Drop Earrings

WILLIAM SPRATLING 1940 Taxco Deco Retro Earrings In .925 Sterling Silver

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces