How to Tell If Your Sterling Silver Is Real
Wondering whether your pieces are solid 925 sterling or just plated? Learn the exact stamps and at-home tests that reveal real sterling silver, or bring your items to our Lawndale showroom for expert, no-obligation testing.
Where to Identify Real Sterling Silver in Los Angeles
If you want to know how to tell if your sterling silver is real, the most dependable answer in Los Angeles is to have it examined by people who handle it every day. South Bay Coin has authenticated and tested silver for South Bay families since 1980, and our appraisers can read a hallmark, recognize a fake stamp, and confirm purity in minutes.
The reason matters: solid sterling and silver plate can look identical to the naked eye, yet they are completely different metals. A discreet "925" stamp is the first clue, but counterfeit stamps exist, so a mark alone is never final proof. We confirm every piece with a non-destructive XRF analyzer that reads the exact silver content without scratching or damaging your item.
Whether you inherited a flatware service, found an unmarked chain, or simply want to know what you own before you decide to sell your sterling silver, you can walk in for a private, no-pressure evaluation. We also test silver coins and mixed lots, and we explain exactly what your stamps mean and why.
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Sterling Silver Stamps and Hallmarks to Look For
The fastest way to identify real sterling silver is to find its purity stamp. Marks are tiny and tucked into discreet spots: the inside of a ring band, the underside of a clasp, the back of a pendant, or the handle tip of a fork. A jeweler's loupe makes them far easier to read. On genuine sterling you will see 925, .925, S925, 92.5, STER, STERLING, or STERLING SILVER, all of which mean the metal is 92.5% pure silver throughout.
Other purity numbers are real silver too, just different standards. 999 is fine silver, 958 is Britannia, and 900 (coin silver), 835, and 800 are common on older German, Italian, and continental pieces. On British silver, look for the walking lion passant, the traditional symbol of sterling standard. Under U.S. rules, a "925" or "Sterling" mark should also appear with a maker's mark identifying who made the piece.
Just as important is knowing the marks that mean it is not solid silver. EPNS, EP, SP, and A1 all indicate silver plate, a base metal coated with a thin silver layer. On flatware, letters like IS are a maker's mark (International Silver Company), not a purity guarantee. Be wary of "925 Silver Plated," which is a contradiction, and of crisp 925 stamps on suspiciously light pieces. A counterfeit stamp is exactly why a final test matters.
At-Home Tests to Tell If Silver Is Real
No stamp, or a stamp you do not trust? A few simple tests narrow things down before you visit an expert. The magnet test is the easiest: real silver is not magnetic, so if a strong magnet pulls toward your piece, it is not solid silver. Remember this test only rules silver out, since many fake metals are also non-magnetic.
The ice test is the most telling for flat items like flatware, trays, and coins. Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any metal, so an ice cube placed on genuine silver melts noticeably faster than on steel or plate. The ring test works on coins and solid pieces: tap them gently and listen for a clear, sustained, high-pitched chime rather than a dull clunk.
Two more clues help. Real sterling tarnishes, so rubbing it with a soft white cloth often leaves a faint black mark, while a piece that never tarnishes is suspect. Genuine silver is also odorless; a strong metallic smell points to a nickel or brass alloy. Avoid bleach and acid tests at home, as both can permanently damage your piece. For a definitive answer, our XRF analyzer reads exact purity without a scratch.
Sterling Silver We Test and Buy
Bring any of these and we will read the hallmarks, confirm purity with our analyzer, and tell you exactly what you have, with no obligation to sell.
Silver Flatware & Sets
Sterling forks, knives, spoons, and serving pieces stamped Sterling or 925, including full estate services and odd lots.
Sterling Silver Jewelry
Chains, rings, bracelets, earrings, and pendants marked 925 or S925, plus unmarked pieces we can test for you.
Hollowware & Tea Sets
Trays, bowls, candlesticks, pitchers, and tea services. We separate solid sterling from weighted and plated holloware.
Silver Coins, Rounds & Bars
Coin silver, 999 rounds and bars, and pre-1965 U.S. coins. We identify coin silver from sterling and plated lookalikes.
How Professional Silver Testing Works
Visit or Text a Photo
Walk into our Lawndale showroom at 16916 Hawthorne Blvd, no appointment needed, or text clear photos of the hallmarks to (310) 363-2697.
Non-Destructive Testing
We read the marks under a loupe and verify exact purity with our XRF analyzer. Nothing is scratched, cut, or harmed in the process.
Know Exactly What You Have
We explain whether it is sterling, coin silver, or plated, and what the stamps mean. If you choose to sell, we make an offer on the spot.
Verifying Sterling Silver: At-Home vs. Professional Testing
At-home tests are a useful first screen, but only professional analysis confirms exact purity without risking damage to your piece.
| South Bay Coin | Magnet / Ice Test | At-Home Acid Kit | Pawn Shops | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Confirms exact purity (800/900/925) | Approximate | Sometimes | ||
| No scratching or damage | Varies | |||
| Tells solid silver from plate | Partial | Sometimes | ||
| Reliable on jewelry & small items | Partial | Varies | ||
| Certified appraiser on-site | Varies | |||
| 45+ year track record | Varies |
What Our Customers Say
Common Questions About Identifying Sterling Silver
Start by looking for a purity stamp such as 925, .925, or Sterling in a discreet spot like a clasp or ring interior. Then confirm with simple tests: real silver is not magnetic, melts ice quickly, and tarnishes over time. For certainty, have it checked with a professional XRF analyzer.
A 925 stamp means the piece is sterling silver, an alloy that is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper) added for strength. The same standard appears as .925, S925, 92.5, or the word Sterling. It is the international mark for solid sterling silver throughout the piece.
Genuine sterling carries 925, .925, S925, 92.5, STER, STERLING, or STERLING SILVER. British pieces also show a walking lion (lion passant). Other real silver standards include 999 fine silver, 958 Britannia, and 900, 835, or 800 on older European silver. A maker's mark often appears alongside the purity stamp.
No. Real silver is not magnetic, so if a strong magnet sticks or pulls toward your piece, it is not solid silver. Keep in mind the magnet test only rules silver out, since many fake metals like brass and copper are also non-magnetic. Always pair it with another test.
Yes. Tarnish is actually a sign of authenticity. Real silver reacts with sulfur in the air and darkens over time, which is why rubbing it with a white cloth often leaves a black mark. The tarnish is harmless and polishes off. A piece that never tarnishes may be plated or fake.
EPNS stands for Electro-Plated Nickel Silver, meaning a base metal coated with a thin layer of silver. It is not solid silver. The same goes for EP, SP, and A1 stamps. If you see these marks and no 925 or Sterling stamp, the piece is silver plated rather than sterling.
Yes, both are genuine silver, just at a lower purity than sterling. An 800 mark means 80% pure silver and 900 (often called coin silver) means 90%. These standards are common on older German, Italian, and continental pieces. They are real silver, simply different alloys than the 92.5% sterling standard.
Check the stamp first: 925 or Sterling means solid, while EPNS, EP, or SP means plated. Then inspect high-wear spots like clasps and edges, where plating wears through to show a different colored base metal underneath. Solid sterling is the same color throughout. A professional XRF test confirms it instantly.
Yes. Counterfeiters routinely stamp fake 925 marks on plated or base-metal pieces, so a hallmark is a useful first clue but never final proof. Watch for crisp 925 stamps on suspiciously light items or "925 Silver Plated" labels. The only sure way to confirm purity is professional testing.
South Bay Coin in Lawndale tests sterling silver for clients across Los Angeles County. Our appraisers read hallmarks and confirm exact purity with a non-destructive XRF analyzer, no scratching required. Walk in during business hours or text photos to (310) 363-2697, with no obligation to sell.
Not Sure If Your Silver Is Real?
Bring your pieces to our Lawndale showroom for a private, no-obligation evaluation, or text us a photo of the stamps to get started.