Silver Plate vs. Sterling Silver
Sterling silver objects contain silver and another metal, which helps the object retain its shape, since pure silver is soft and easily shaped. Silver-plated items, compared to sterling objects of the same size, are heavier. Sterling silver is an investment that retains value, whereas silver-plated items lose their value quickly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Sterling silver is a metal alloy containing a minimum of 92.5 percent silver, combined with another metal, often copper. Silver plating involves coating another metal, using electricity to charge the silver so it sticks to the outside of the structural metal.
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Distinguishing Characteristics
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Most sterling silver is marked indicating the purity of silver or it is identified by the word "sterling," along with a maker's mark.. Silver-plated items are not marked.
Significance
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Sterling silver is more expensive than silver plating because of the quantity of silver contained in the item. The purity of the silver determines the value of the object.
Misconceptions
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Sterling silver tarnishes in the presence of sulfides in the air, emitted by diesel engines. Often, because silver tarnishes, it is often mistaken for imitation or silver-plated material.
Time Frame
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Sterling silver utensils, if maintained properly, will last forever, whereas silver-plated items will only last about 20 years.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit "Vintage Rogers & Bros. 1847 "Charter Oak" 1906" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: Le Petit Poulailler (Karen) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
