How to tell if gold and silver, or plate?

[RickN]

From the daughters stuff she had picked up at garage sales and stuff is a gold picture frame that is very heavy for it's size, and a silver tea pot and butter dish that I think might be silver. I know newer silver (1880s on) will be marked if sterling but this is not marked at all. I heard somewhere that silver plate has a bitter almond smell but this smells sweet. None of the stuff is magnetic.

I am just wondering if anyone knows a sure way to tell if it is real or plated?

 

[Catt57]

Also look for the marks “sterling,” 92.5%" or" 925".
The acid tests are worthless as they only test the surface.
Being non-magnetic is a good start, but not a definite.

You'll probably have to take it to an expert.

 

[GlockPride]

Gold and Silver or coin shops is probably where you need to go, if you want to sell or have it appraised.

 

[Btown]

Another thing to look for is a two different colors around wear areas. If on an area you can see two different colors chances are its plated and what you would be seeing in the base metal coming through the wear area

 

[bigred1]

Antiques Road Show...

 

[dlbleak]

Pawnshops or any gold and silver buyer has one of those machines that tells the content of the metal. There’s Classic pawn on Broadway or the gold buyer next to HIS paint about 7th and Broadway

 

[mouthpiece]

I believe one is called a scratch test.
Some items i wouldn't want to scratch.
Then there is some machine that can measure the density.
I have no experience with either.

 

[Big House]

"Do you mind if I call someone that knows everything about this?"

 

[OKCHunter]

"Do you mind if I call someone that knows everything about this?"

Pawn Stars is a great show.

 

[CODE_3]

If you're in the okc area I can help you out