Need Some Help with Sterling

[Holt0222]

Hey guys so I know this might not be the right spot for this but when looking for Sterling Silver, what are marks that show it is not Sterling. AKA that it is Electroplated and all those other styles.

 

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[JoeVal]

My thought would be the absence of markings and/or maker's mark. That being said, homemade silver jewelry can lack identification as well. A good test kit is a worthwhile investment if that’s important to you. I’m not selling or scrapping my finds, so I haven’t bothered to get a kit.

 

[Drmad7]

A1, EPNS, Quadruple, IS. These are the marks I know.

 

[JimDon]

NS, nickel Silver, EPC, EP, German Silver, Silver on copper, SOC, silver soldered. 40, 60, 80, 90,100.

 

[tamrock]

I have found unmarked sterling before, but to me the clues are how in tarnishes. Plate has a calico look to it and solid silver will tarnish pretty much gun metal blue to black, but watch out for extra thick plating as that stuff can also appear as a solid piece of silver. Learn the codes such as EPNS, SPC, SP also 80 & 90 do not mean .800 & .900 alloy. How the piece is constructed is also a tell tail sign of it either being solid or plated. My favorite site to reference is 925/1000 silver marks that covers a lot of various silver marks with a great understanding of silver companies and smith's and who does what by the marks they use.

 

[randazzo1]

For starters I would read this article I wrote a few years ago. Not to be a braggart, but I think it really covers the basics well. http://blog.hunterridgejewelry.com/tag/difference-silver/

 

[A2coins]

Nice piece