| The law requires metal to be marked by the maker | | | | flatware (knives, forks, spoons) was made with a |
| and the metal quality. For sterling, the mark will be | | | | silver alloy or 75% silver. This is certainly less than |
| either the numbers 925 (meaning 92.5 % silver, which is | | | | sterling which legally means 92.5% and also less than |
| sterling) or a "sterling" stamp with the words. Look near | | | | coin silver. I suspect European manufacturer. The only |
| the clasp for the mark, at the end of the chain. | | | | real way to determine the value or origin of the item is |
| Sometimes the mark is on a little flat looking ring at the | | | | through those who do this sort of work with antique |
| end of the chain. | | | | silver and tableware items. |
| Sterling silver will tarnish and on some people it | | | | If any marks including the 750 are hard to read, try this |
| tarnishes quickly due to body chemistry, and on others | | | | trick: With a candle soot the area of the mark. Then |
| it never tarnishes. To keep tarnish from happening, | | | | gently take some scotch or clear tape and place it |
| sterling is very often plated with another metal to | | | | down on the sooty area, rubbing gently. Then remove |
| protect the sterling and keep the tarnish from | | | | the tape and place it on a piece of white paper. The |
| happening. The plating will be a metal called "rhodium" | | | | marks should show up just fine. This is like lifting |
| which is very bright or another metal recently used on | | | | fingerprints! It does work fairly well. |
| silver that look more the color of silver. The chain can | | | | Tips on testing silver. Firstly it is important to realize that |
| be sterling and still have the plate on the outside to | | | | you do not use a touchstone for Silver. You should |
| prevent tarnish. | | | | test the article itself. |
| Acid test can be done by a jeweler. Generally a test | | | | Lightly scratch or scuff a small spot which is not seen |
| will cost some money, not a lot, but maybe not worth | | | | (like underneath a silver teapot or inside a ring band |
| depending on what you paid for the chain. On a large | | | | etc) and apply Nitric Acid to the spot. |
| heavy chain, the test might be worth it. | | | | If it turns a cloudy grey color it is Sterling Silver. If it |
| There is quite a bit of 800 silver and even 750, there | | | | turns black it is Coin Silver. What you don't want is for |
| may be an 825 blend also. Scams are always possible | | | | it to turn green which indicates it is plated. |
| so it is best to have it checked if you are in doubt. | | | | You must ensure you make the scratch deep enough |
| There is a British mark 625 which is for gold and | | | | to go beneath any plating though, else it won't react as |
| sometimes mistaken for 825 when an item is worn. | | | | it has to reach any base metal underneath. This can |
| But there are usually other British hallmarks included. | | | | be a little unsightly so make sure it is in an unobtrusive |
| In the 1800's and thereabouts much tableware including | | | | area. |