How do you tell?

Question:if silverware is pure silver?

Answers:
there should be a hallmark on the back- if it mentions plate it's silverplated . If it has a number then "Pb" that indicates solid silver and how pure the silver is ( kind of like the 10k 14k 18k in gold) .If only a hall mark , try the Antique Roadshow link on the PBS.org website.