How to Tell If an Item Is Made of Real Silver, According to Antique Experts

Finding genuine silver treasures while thrifting or antiquing is an exciting pursuit. However, distinguishing real silver from imitations can be challenging, particularly with well-worn items. Sterling silver's unique shine makes it popular for flatware and jewelry, and its market value reflects this appeal. Besides aesthetic and financial reasons, it's important for those with metal allergies to ensure their items are truly silver. Here's how to effectively verify the authenticity of silver items and enjoy a rewarding treasure hunt.

The Magnet Test

Most precious metals—like gold and copper—are nonmagnetic, and silver is no exception. Grab some magnets and see if they are drawn to your object. "Silver is not noticeably magnetic and exhibits only weak magnetic effects, unlike iron, nickel, cobalt, and the like," explains Nicolas Martin, flea market expert and founder of Flea Market Insiders.

"If your magnet sticks strongly to the piece, it has a ferromagnetic core and is not silver." Fake silver or silver-plated items are generally made of other metals. This is an easy test that can give you a good idea of whether your item is real silver.

The Stamp Test

Look for markings or stamps on the silver. "The first thing you should look for when you find an item you suspect to be real silver is markings, like a stamp or hallmark," says Martin. "A silver object that is to be sold commercially is, in most countries, stamped with one or more silver hallmarks indicating the purity of the silver, the mark of the manufacturer or silversmith, and other markings to indicate date of manufacture and additional information about the piece."

These numbers indicate the level of purity of the silver. Sterling silver has a purity of 92.5 percent or higher. "International sellers of silver will stamp silver as 925, 900, or 800," Martin adds.

The Odor Test

Sterling silver is odorless—so go ahead and smell the piece in question. If you can smell sulfur or a distinct metallic fragrance, then it is not sterling silver. The item could be silver-plated, but a scent indicates that it is not made entirely of sterling silver. (This is an especially great test to conduct for those of us who have a strong sense of smell.)

The Polish Test

Since it oxidizes and tarnishes, silver needs to be polished regularly. "After checking for stamps and markings and using the magnet trick, pull out a soft white cloth," instructs Sue Whitney, antique expert and author. "Rub the tarnished piece as if polishing. If no black residue appears on your cloth, it's not silver."

Polishing the silver item is a very good indicator of its authenticity. Rust or a lack of oxidation indicates that the item is made of a different material from silver.

The Flake Test

Some items may be silver-plated, meaning they are covered with a layer of real silver. Does the item have flakes that reveal a different metal underneath? Can you scratch it with your fingernail and see another material below it? If so, the item is plated with silver but is not sterling silver.

You can also take a few of the flakes and put them into acid. The acid's color should remain the same if it is pure silver. Of course, this is not a test that you can do while at the store, so only do this test on pieces that you own.

The Ice Test

You will need to have access to ice to do this particular test: Simply take a cube of ice and put it on top of the silver item. "Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any common metal or alloy," says Martin. "Even at room temperature, authentic silver products will melt the ice at an exceedingly rapid rate. If it melts fast, it probably is silver." It's a simple, neat little trick that can tell you if you are dealing with sterling silver or a clever fake.