If you have silver-colored jewelry, flatware, or other items, it can be difficult to determine whether your items are silver plated vs. sterling silver.
Only sterling silver is worth money for its silver content from online metals buyers like CashforSilverUSA, while plated silver is typically not worth selling.
As of , the silver resale value in the United States was at $ per ounce, or $ per gram.
Whether you’re looking to sell or shopping for silver jewelry, keep reading for a list of key differences between silver plated and sterling silver:
- Difference between plated silver and sterling silver
- Identify plated silver vs. sterling silver
- Pros and cons of plated silver vs. sterling silver
- FAQs about silver
What is the difference between silver plated and sterling silver?
Sterling silver is an alloy (a mixture of metals) made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, typically copper or nickel. Silver plating is a thin layer of silver that coats the outside of another metal like copper, brass, or nickel. It is not worth it to silver buyers to buy silver-plated items.
How can you tell silver plated from sterling silver?
Silver-plated items are often marked with an EP, EPNS or A1, while sterling silver is marked with a 925 based on its 92.5% pure silver content. Sterling silver from the U.K. may also be stamped with marks that indicate where it was made:
- Walking lion = England
- Standing lion = Glasgow
- Thistle = Edinburgh
- Crowned harp = Dublin
- Image of Britannia = Britannia silver (which is 95% pure)
If you’re wondering how to tell real silver from plated silver, here are some at-home tests you can try, though they aren’t foolproof:
How to tell if silver is real with ice
Because silver is highly conductive, it’s said to melt ice more quickly than other metals. If you put a piece of ice on the metal in question and on another piece of metal you know isn’t silver, the ice should melt more quickly than the other piece of ice if the object is made of silver.
However, most silver enthusiasts say this test isn’t the most accurate, since a thick silver plating may produce the same results as sterling silver. Plus, other factors, like the size and thickness of the two objects you’re testing, can affect results.
tl;dr: The ice test isn’t a full-proof way to test if something is silver plated.
How to tell if silver is real with a lighter
Real silver turns black over time. You can speed up this process to test for silver by holding a lighter to its surface or by dipping it in vinegar. However, silver plating can also turn black using these testing methods, so you may have to scratch its surface first to test the metal underneath.
tl;dr: The lighter test isn’t a full-proof way to test if something is silver plated.
How to tell if silver is real with acid
There are acid test kits available on Amazon to test for sterling silver vs. plated silver. When you drop acid on the silver plating, it's stripped away to reveal the metal underneath.
tl;dr: You can buy an at-home acid test to check for silver plating.
How to tell if silver is real with a magnet
Real silver is not magnetic. If you hold a magnet up to the object in question and it sticks, it is not sterling silver. However, silver-plated items made of copper and brass also will not stick to a magnet, so this test may only work on silver-plated nickel or other magnetic metals.
tl;dr: The magnet test is only effective on silver-plated nickel.
If you want to make sure what you have is sterling silver, you can bring it to a local jeweler or silversmith, who will likely perform a professional acid test or examine the metal for indicative markings.
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These are some key differences between silver plated and sterling silver items:
| Silver plated | Sterling silver |
| Not hypoallergenic, especially when combined with nickel | Hypoallergenic |
| May be slightly lighter in color, with more shine | May be slightly darker in color, with less shine |
| Tend to be heavier because of base metals | Tend to be lighter |
| Less durable, since plating can chip and wear off, though the base metal underneath is considered more durable than sterling silver | More durable and scratch resistant |
This video goes over some of the ways to identify sterling silver vs. plated silver cutlery:
5 silver bar buyers where you can sell silver
Silver plated vs. sterling silver: Pros and cons
There are some pros and cons to buying silver plated vs. sterling silver jewelry and other items:
Color
While their difference may be subtle and virtually unnoticeable, silver plating tends to be slightly lighter in color than sterling silver, with more shine.
Durability
Silver-plated items are more prone to chipping, scratching, and dulling, though the base metal under silver plating is considered more durable than sterling silver.
Sterling silver can tarnish when exposed to certain elements like chlorine and household chemicals, though it’s easy to clean in a solution of baking soda, salt, white vinegar, and boiling water. Plated silver can be cleaned but may need to be replated.
Scratch resistance
Sterling silver is more scratch resistant than silver-plated items.
Maintenance
Sterling silver is easy to clean and polish, while silver-plated items will have to be replated to keep them looking new.
Check out this video on how to clean tarnished sterling silver:
Cost today vs. resale value
Sterling silver items typically cost more than those with silver plating because of their high precious metal content.
However, as far as resale value, sterling silver is worth 92.5% of the spot price of silver, while silver plating cannot be melted down for its silver content.
As of , the silver resale value in the United States was at $ per ounce, or $ per gram.
Both sterling silver and silver-plated items may have value outside of their silver content depending on the age, make, and quality of the item.
Where to sell real silver (not plated)
Our top choice for selling silver is CashforSilverUSA, sister site of CashforGold, which boasts an A+ BBB rating and price match guarantee. We also like CashforSilver because:
- Payouts within 24 hours of offer acceptance
- 10% bonus if you send in your silver within a week of receiving your mailer
- Free shipping label and insurance up to $100,000
- Risk-free cancellation and free shipping back to you
CashforSilver accepts all forms of silver, gold, platinum, diamonds, and gemstones, including:
- Silver coins
- Silver jewelry
- Scrap silver
- Silverware
- Silver flatware
CashforSilverUSA does not buy plated items.
Get a free quote from CashforSilverUSA today >>
Who buys silver plated?
Unless you have a large quantity of silver-plated items — like silver-plated flatware, platters, or dishes — you likely won’t get much, if any, money for them. However, these are some places where you can sell silver-plated items, especially if they hold value as a collector’s item:
- Pawn shops
- Auction houses
- Online auction sites
- Antiques dealers
- ebay
- Some online precious metals buyers if you have large quantities of silver-plated items
You can also donate your silver-plated items to a thrift store, though you won’t be paid, but may qualify for a tax deduction.
If you’re asking “Where can I sell silver-plated items near me?” or “Who buys silver plated stuff near me?” you may be able to find a local pawn shop or antiques dealer to buy your items depending on their age, make, and quality.
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Who buys sterling silver?
There are a number of places you can sell sterling silver:
- Online precious metals buyers like CashforSilverUSA
- Online auction sites
- Pawn shops
- Local fine metals dealers
- ebay
Silver plated vs. sterling silver FAQs
Keep reading for answers to common questions about silver plating and sterling silver:
Is plated silver worth anything?
Plated silver may be worth money as a collector’s item depending on its make, age, and quality. However, plated silver is not typically worth money for its silver content, unless it’s sold in large quantities.
According to Velvet Box Society, an online jeweler and precious metals buyer that buys silver plated items, it takes more than 100 lbs. of pounds of plated silver to obtain just one ounce of pure silver.
Does silver plated tarnish?
Yes, silver-plated items can tarnish over time. You can try cleaning the pieces with jewelry polish or soak them in a mixture of baking soda, salt, white vinegar, and boiling water.
The Kitchn.com recommends storing a piece of white school chalk wherever you store your silver and silver-plated jewelry to help cut down on tarnish.
Does silver plate wear off?
Yes, silver plating does wear off over time. You can take your item to be replated at a jeweler or try an at-home solution like this silver plating from Amazon.
Bottom line: What is better, silver-plated or sterling silver? Which has the better resale value?
In terms of resale value, durability, and longevity, sterling silver is better than plated silver.
Most silver-plated items are worth minimal, if any, money, while sterling silver can be sold for the value of its pure silver content, 92.5% of the spot price of silver.
If you have sterling silver jewelry, coins, or flatware to sell, I recommend selling to CashforSilverUSA because of its highest price guarantee and safe, easy selling process.
Get an offer from CashforSilverUSA >>
Plated silver may be worth money as a collector’s item depending on its make, age, and quality. However, plated silver is not typically worth money for its silver content, unless it’s sold in large quantities.
Yes, silver-plated items can tarnish over time. You can try cleaning the pieces with jewelry polish or soak them in a mixture of baking soda, salt, white vinegar, and boiling water.
Yes, silver plating does wear off over time. You can take your item to be replated at a jeweler or try an at-home solution.
In terms of resale value, durability, and longevity, sterling silver is better than plated silver.
