Solid silver or silver-plated metal: how to tell the difference? The complete guide

When you want to sell silverware or have silver items appraised, one question always comes up: Is it really solid silver or just silver-plated metal?

The difference is essential:
✔ Solid silver has real resale value.
✖ Silver-plated metal has virtually no value, even if it looks nice.

In this guide, our experts explain how to identify silver, recognize official hallmarks, avoid confusion, and get the best estimate for your silver items.

Solid silver: what exactly is it?

Solid silver is a precious metal composed mainly of pure silver.
In Belgium, the most common types are:

• 925 silver (92.5% pure silver)—hallmark 925 or Minerva head
  
• 835 silver — common in antique silverware
  
• 800 silver — hallmark 800, typical of antique silverware

Only solid silver has real redemption value.

Silver metal: the most common confusion

Silver-plated metal is not silver.
It is an object made of copper, brass, stainless steel, etc., covered with a thin layer of silver.

Typical signs:

• Hallmark “EPNS”, “Metal Silver”, “Metal Blanc”
  
• Color that wears away and reveals yellow or copper underneath
  
• No hallmark 800/835/925
  
• Lighter than solid silver

⚠️ Redemption value: zero, even if the item is old.

How can you easily recognize solid silver?

Here are the most reliable methods for identifying your items:

✔ Locate the hallmarks (the most reliable method)

The most common sterling silver hallmarks:

• 925 → 92.5% sterling silver
  
• 835 → European silver
  
• 800 → antique silverware
  
• Head of Minerva → French silver
  
• Rooster or crab head → Belgium/France old silver

If none of these hallmarks are visible, it is probably not sterling silver.

✔ Color and wear

• Solid silver retains a uniform color even in areas of wear.
  
• The silver metal reveals:
  
  • yellow
    
  • copper
    
  • metallic gray

✔ Weight

Solid silver is always heavier than an equivalent silver-plated metal.

✔ Magnetic test

Silver is not magnetic.
If your item sticks to a magnet ➝ it is not solid silver.

✔ Professional testing: the most reliable

At our branches, we offer the following services free of charge:

• Spectrometric analysis (100% reliable)
  
• Acid test on touchstone
  
• Complete control of punches
  
• Certified weighing in front of you

Which silver items are the most valuable?

Category	Surrender value
Solid silver 925 / 835 / 800	💰💰💰
Vermeil (silver + gold)	💰
Silver metal	❌ no value

Best-selling items:

• Solid silver forks
  
• Tableware
  
• Trays, teapots, salt shakers
  
• Silver jewelry
  
• Silver coins

Where can you sell your silverware at the best price?

If you wish to sell solid silver in Belgium, you can visit one of our branches:

• Braine-l'Alleud
• Wavre
• Wavre Center
• Saint-Pierre-Woluwe
• Rixensart
• La Louvière
• Charleroi
• Uccle

We offer:

✔ Free estimate
✔ Professional analysis
✔ Fast payment
✔ Guaranteed daily price
✔ No obligation

Why have your silverware appraised?

Because the value of money changes every day.
An estimate allows you to find out:

• Purity (800/835/925)
  
• Weight
  
• True value according to the price of silver
  
• The benefits of selling now

How can you tell if your item is valuable?

• With a hallmark of 800/835/925 = solid silver = high value
  
• With an "EPNS" hallmark, "silver metal" = no value

If in doubt: visit your local branch, the test is free of charge.

Do you think you have a solid silver item?
Come and have it appraised with or without an appointment.