Question 1

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 2

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 3

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 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 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 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 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 18

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 19

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 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

Vintage 1940s French Baroque Wall Lights and Sconces

Pair of Large Sconces Attributed to Baguès

Antique Late 19th Century American Edwardian Sterling Silver

Antique American Edwardian Sterling Silver and Glass Candy Jar

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sheffield and Silverplate

Rosenthal Flatware

Vintage 1950s Centerpieces

Carl Poul Petersen Sterling Silver Tazzas A Pair 1955

Vintage 1950s Canadian Serving Pieces

Carl Poul Petersen Sterling Silver Corn Flower Tray

Vintage 1950s Canadian Serving Pieces

Large Carl Poul Petersen Sterling Silver Footed Tray 1955

Vintage 1950s American Serving Pieces

Petersen Jensen-son-inlaw 112 pcs 1955 Sterling Silver Flatware

Vintage 1950s Canadian Serving Pieces

Carl Poul Petersen Hand Made 76 pc Sterling Silver Flatware Set

Vintage 1950s Canadian Centerpieces

Carl P. Petersen Hand Made Pair of Sterling Silver Tazzas Peapod

Vintage 1950s Canadian Serving Pieces

Carl Poul Petersen Sterling Silver Bowl With Cover 1950

Vintage 1910s Dutch More Silver, Flatware and Silverplate

Silver Biscuit Box and Plate, Kempen en Begeer, Netherlands 1914, Dutch Silver

Vintage 1950s Canadian Serving Bowls

Carl Poul Petersen Hand Made Sterling Silver Petal Shaped Bowl

Antique Early 1800s English Regency Sterling Silver

Pair of George 111 Silver Wine Coasters

Vintage 1950s Serving Pieces

Rare Spratling Sterling Silver Flatware Heavy Silver Disk Set

Antique 1810s English Barware

Monumental, Georgian, Sterling Silver "Warwick Vase" Champagne Wine Cooler

Antique 1890s Russian Russian Empire Barware

Five Ukrainian Imperial-era Silver Vodka Cups, late 19th to early 20th century

Vintage 1970s English George II Sterling Silver

3-Piece Silver Condiment Set with Lion Mask Feet, 1978

Antique Early 1800s English George III Sterling Silver

George 111 Irish Silver Barrel Shaped Quart Lidded Tankard, Dublin, 1808

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Centerpieces and Tazzas

Monumental, Antique English, Sterling Silver "Warwick Vase" Champagne Cooler

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Dinnerware and Flatware Sets

Antique French 22pc Dinner Knife Set, Pistol Grip Horn Silver

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Dinnerware and Flatware Sets

ODIOT French Sterling Silver 72+pc Flatware Set, Campaign Chest

Early 20th Century Scottish Edwardian Serving Pieces

Edwardian Scottish Silver Cream Scoop or Skimmer

Vintage 1960s English Elizabethan Sterling Silver

Pair of Silver Armada Dishes, London Assay, Mappin and Webb, 1963

Antique 1790s English George III Sterling Silver

Novelty George 111 Silver Cowrie Shell Snuff Box, Dated circa 1790

Antique Early 1800s English George III Sterling Silver

George 111 Silver Sherry Label, Dated 1809, Phipps and Robinson, London

Vintage 1950s European Art Deco Sterling Silver

Silver Engined, Turned Box, Dated 1954, Made by Harman Brothers of Birmingham

Antique 1880s French Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

Fabulous French All Sterling Silver Vermeil Dessert Set 4 pc w/box Art Nouveau

Antique 19th Century French Empire Serving Bowls

Odiot, Three Sphinx Fruit Basket, Style Thomire, French Sterling Silver

English Dinnerware and Flatware Sets

Comprehensive, Sterling Silver, English Flatware Set In Case

21st Century and Contemporary American Centerpieces

1-of-a-Kind Robert Oppecker Sterling Silver Contemporary Vessel

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Sterling Silver

Jean Puiforcat "Bayonne" Flatware Part Service, circa 1924

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Sterling Silver

Jean Puiforcat "Bayonne" Flatware Part Service, circa 1924 92 Pieces

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Sterling Silver

Jean Puiforcat "Bayonne" Flatware Part Service, circa 1924 92 pieces

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Sterling Silver

Jean Puiforcat "Cannes" Flatware Part Service

Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Tableware

Mappin Webb Complete Set of Silverware in Original Chest

Antique Late 19th Century English Edwardian Sheffield and Silverplate

Edwardian Renaissance Revival English Desert Set

Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Platters and Serveware

Sauciere Cygne, Swan Gravy Boat by Christian Fjerdingstad for Christofle, 1935

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Pottery

Antique plain English creamware pottery comport with cover 18th century period.

Antique Mid-18th Century English Rococo Porcelain

Sauce Boat, Polychrome Landscape, Worcester, circa 1754

Vintage 1940s Chinese Centerpieces