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