If it tarnishes, is it real silver? Or could it still be pewter?
Question:Hi - I don't quite know the difference btwn silver and pewter, and what's silver plated.
If it's real silver, does it really have 925 written on it? Always?
None of my items say 925, but they tarnish, and I have to use the cream on them every month to make them shiny. So, is it real silver?
I'm assuming the heavy is silver and the lightweight items are silver-plated?
Is there a 'fake' silver that will still tarnish and fool me?
Thanks!
Answers:
Silver definately tarnishes.
It also always has a mark to show you it is genuine silver.
(sterling)
Pewter is slightly darker than silver and does not have a (sterling) mark anywhere.
My pewter pieces are heavier than any silver ones of the same size.
Pewter and silver look very different when newly cleaned. Silver will be very shiny and bright colored, pewter will look grey and kind of dull. Plate from solid is discernable by scraping the bottom and see if there is a removable coating.
Real Sterling Silver turns black and needs to be clean and polished all the time.
Pewter never tarnishes or turns color. This I own a lot of [ just collects dust bunnies ].
I have no idea what the 925 means. I have never seen it on my Sterling silverware, teapot, coffee pot, serving tray, creamer or sugar bowl. I have to keep it clean or it turns black. Never put it in direct sunlight either.
I have found anything that is Silver-Plated bends easy. Real silver does not bend. Real silver is heavy and thing else is light weighted.
My grandmother had a silver serving set that she said was Sterling Silver and I told her it was not. We took it to a collector and I was right. Her set was light and not strong. He gave he $60.00 for it and said he would buy mine for $1100 [ this was in 1990 ] . I still have mine and won't sell it for anything.
Real silver will always have a hallmark on the bottom.This denotes the type of silver, maker, and place of origin.Silver plate usually has a number or the letters EPNS(Electro Plated Nickel Silver). Pewter the real pewter has words on bottom stating -Real Pewter. However nowadays there is a lot of sham pewter on the market. Your items sound like plate.If you want to avoid cleaning them all the time; clean them up, and then spray with a silicone spray(from hardware).
you are right about the 925 thing.. all silver should have a hallmark and number stamped into it or it is not classed as silver
but all silver will tarnish too
you should bring the item to a jeweller and they will be able to tell the difference right away
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