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More complicated acid testing is occasionally required, but most enthusiasts can easily test their own silver at home. Do you take it into a pawn shop and hope you get a fair deal? First, make sure the pieces are in fact sterling silver and not just silver-plated. If there is a discernible difference in color or any other aspect between the exterior and the interior metals, thats a fairly strong sign your silverware is not sterling silver. You can dent a sterling sugar bowl very easilybut a similar piece of hotel silver can be dropped without much harm because the underlying base metal is stronger than its silver exterior. No single home test alone can reliably validate a piece of silver, but used in combination you should be able to draw a reliable conclusion. There are hundreds of hallmarks you would have to learn to know them all, but the most common are below: Lion Passant (lion walking forward) This is a standard English marking that indicates sterling silver. Most silver experts refer to three different tomes for guideance: Ralph and Terry Kovel'sAmerican Silver Marks($43, amazon.com); Ian Pickford'sAntique Collectors' Club ($15 e-text, amazon.com); and Tere Hagan'sSilverplated Flatware (starting at $8, amazon.com). This is incorrect. You can set your mind at ease using these methods, and the results can also be medically important when it comes to allergies. Do the ring test with a coin by dropping it and analyzing the sound. In fact, almost every periodic element falls into this category; the majority of earths materials do not have a positive magnetic susceptibility. So, how do these facts affect your silver testing techniques? Although they're solid metal rather than plated, they contain less silver than sterling pieces. You don't have to give your house a top-to-bottom scrub before guests arrive, but there are a few areas you should pay attention to. None of our methods require any special equipment or harmful chemicals; you can complete all this testing easily at home. 2. How to Find the Value of Antique Silver | LoveToKnow Antique Silver Spoon Identification and Value Guide Sterling silver is easy to understand, that is, the content of silver is close to 100%. Sterling Silver Flatware Frequently asked questions Yes, there is such a thing as over-cleaning silver. Real silver will turn black when exposed to bleach. Jewelry is commonly made from 925 Sterling Silver, while other items can be 100% pure. says Whitney. If the silverware is real, it will leave a slight (or not so slight) black mark. Size: 8 1/4" long. The other is marked Wilcox Silverplate Co. Quadruple plated with crossed hammers in the middle and the number 143 below the mark.