Question 1

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 2

What is the hallmark for silver plate?

Accepted Answer

The hallmark for silver plate depends on the manufacturer. Most often, companies do not place hallmarks on silver plate. This differs from sterling silver, which usually bears a 925 mark. In some cases, companies may stamp "plated" or a similar term, but this is uncommon. On 1stDibs, find a range of silver plate serveware and decorative objects.

Question 3

What is the mark for silver-plated?

Accepted Answer

The mark for silver plating varies. In the U.S., the most common markings are EP, EPNS, A1 and B1. A UK silver plate may feature a wide range of markings. You can find pictures of these identifying marks on trusted online resources and use them to determine if a particular piece is silver-plated. Alternatively, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer can assist with identification. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of silver wares.

Question 4

What was silver plate called?

Accepted Answer

The silver plate commonly used during the 18th century is Sheffield plate. It is a combination of silver and copper. By the mid 19th century, most silver plate pieces featured electroplating. Find a collection of Sheffield plate silver ware on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What is an antique silver plate?

Accepted Answer

Silver-plating refers to the process of applying a thin layer of silver overtop of a base metal, such as copper, nickel or pewter. An antique silver-plated item would have gone through this same process. Shop a collection of expertly vetted antique silver plate items from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 6

What is Sheffield silver plate?

Accepted Answer

Sheffield silver plate usually refers to electroplated silverware produced in Sheffield, England. Prior to electroplating, Sheffield silver was associated with a particular process of layered construction which consisted of copper and silver. Today, this older form of silver is usually referred to by collectors as “Old Sheffield Silver Plate.” Shop a collection of Sheffield silver from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 7

What is triple-plated silver?

Accepted Answer

Triple-plated silver is silverware manufactured with a certain technique. Specifically, the manufacturer has applied three layers of silver plating to the base metal during the production process to ensure its durability. You will sometimes see triple-plating described as "Treble Plate." Find a large selection of silverware from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What is antique silver plating?

Accepted Answer

Antique silver plating is a thin layer of genuine silver applied over top of a base metal. Depending on the piece, the main metal may be copper, brass or nickel. You'll find a range of antique silver-plated decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Question 9

What is the difference between a silver plate and a Sheffield plate?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a silver plate and a Sheffield plate is that one item is a type of the other. Silverplate, which is sometimes spelled silver-plate or silver plate, is the general name for any silver wares made predominantly of a base metal finished with a thin layer of pure silver.

Developed in the 1700s by Thomas Boulsover in Sheffield, England, Sheffield silverplate is a specific type of silverplate created by fusing silver with copper. This new material felt like silver but was substantially cheaper. It was then used to produce a variety of serveware, candlesticks, buttons, tea sets and more.

Find antique Sheffield silverplate and other silverplate objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Question 10

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 11

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 12

Are silver-plated items hallmarked?

Accepted Answer

No, silver-plated items will not have a hallmark or ‘925’ stamp. Silver-plated refers to when an item, usually brass, has been coated in a thin layer of silver. You can shop a collection of authentic silver-plated items from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 13

How do you read silver plate hallmarks?

Accepted Answer

How you read silver plate hallmarks depends on the origin of the piece. Makers in different countries utilize varying systems for hallmarking their silver plate pieces, and these systems have evolved over time. For example, some British makers indicated the highest quality of silver plate with an A1 hallmark and the second highest with an A. Since there is so much variation, the best way to interpret hallmarks on a particular piece is to consult trusted online resources, a certified appraiser or a knowledgeable antiques dealer. On 1stDibs, shop a range of silver plate pieces.

Question 14

Does antique silver plate have any value?

Accepted Answer

Whether antique silverplate has any value depends on a variety of factors. The design of the piece, who made it and decoration are among the biggest determiners of value. Generally, rarer pieces that remain in good condition will be worth the most. Today, just as pewter collectibles and sterling silver are popular with collectors at neighborhood flea markets, antique Sheffield silverplate housewares are sought after for their appearance and rich history. Consider having the piece evaluated by a knowledgeable antiques dealer or certified appraiser to get an accurate estimate of how much it's worth. On 1stDibs, find antique silverplate from some of the world's top sellers.

Question 15

Does silver-plated flatware tarnish?

Accepted Answer

Silver-plated flatware does tarnish.

Question 16

How do you clean something that is silver plated?

Accepted Answer

Set the silver-plated item line glass bowl lined with aluminum foil. Mix boiling water with baking soda and pour over the item. After 5 to 10 minutes, remove the item, rinse under warm water, and dry.

Question 17

How do I identify silver plate marks?

Accepted Answer

To identify silver plate marks, first explore trusted online resources for some of the most frequently used examples. Most silver plate pieces will feature a purity marking, such as “EPNS” or “A1,” and markings corresponding to the maker. Photographing the maker's mark and performing a reverse image search may lead to a quick identification. If your search doesn't yield any results, try entering a description of the mark into the search engine or examining reference guides shared by trusted online resources to determine who produced your piece. From there, you can conduct further research to learn about your piece's age, pattern and other features. Another option is to have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer help you with the identification process. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of silver wares.

Question 18

Is silver-plate silverware valuable?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some silver-plate silverware is valuable. However, the maker, age and style of silver-plated silverware are usually what make it valuable. From a material standpoint, silver plate contains very little pure silver, so the metal on its own is not very valuable. Find a wide range of silverware on 1stDibs.

Question 19

How do you identify silver plate hallmarks?

Accepted Answer

To identify silver plate hallmarks, try snapping a photo with your smartphone or tablet and then performing a reverse image. Often, this approach will allow you to determine who produced a particular piece. If your search yields no results, try typing a description of the marking into a search engine or browsing image galleries of maker's marks published on trusted online resources. If you run into any difficulty, a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can be of assistance. Shop a large selection of silver deocrative objects on 1stDibs.

Question 20

How can you tell if silver is solid or plated?

Accepted Answer

To tell if silver is solid or plated, try holding a magnet near it. Solid silver is not magnetic, but the base metals used in silver plating often are. As a result, if the magnet sticks strongly, the piece likely features silver plating. Another way to determine the materials is to look for markings. On silver wares produced in the U.S., the markings “STER,” “925” or “.925” usually indicate solid silver, while “EP,” “EPNS,” “A1” and “AA” typically indicate silver plating. When in doubt, seek the opinion of a knowledgeable expert, such as a certified appraiser or experienced dealer. Find a variety of silver wares on 1stDibs.

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