Sterling Silver?

[Sigilini]

We’ve had this discussion before and I cannot find the thread: if it just says “sterling” without the word silver or any numerical tags, does that mean it is or is not sterling silver?

This pieces (below) is from 1939, were the markings different at that time?

Thanks you in advance for your input, which is always greatly appreciated.

https://imgur.com/a/WAbvd

[Sharyn]

Yes, if it says Sterling, it means sterling silver. It doesn’t give any information about the purity.

I just decided to order a silver/gold testing kit. I did a search on the forum here to find one someone recommended. Here are the test kits from the recommended seller:
http://stores.ebay.com/Gold-Test-Empire/Gold-Silver-Test-Kits-/_i.html?_fsub=3374771010&_sid=170286710&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

I have a silver tone necklace that I wanted to test before I listed. The clasp was missing, so I replaced it with a metal one, but the clasp is often where metal content (such as 925) might be shown.

I don’t know much about the testing yet, but then, in your listing, you could say that the item was tested and shown to be sterling. I understand that mis-marked silver is quite prevalent on Ebay.

[Sigilini]

Thank you Sharyn, I checked the link and plan to order. I have a couple of other pieces that are not marked but I KNOW they are silver because of how they look and also I saw other pieces like these that ARE marked.

[Geoff]

By definition Sterling Silver is 92.5% silver, the remaining 7.5% copper or some other metal. So if it says Sterling you typically know it is 92.5%. Some items, less frequently, could be 99% silver – but normally this would be marked as such (not just ‘sterling’)

Yes a silver tester is a must have if your into this kind of thing. Personally, I don’t normally test to verify something that says sterling is indeed silver unless i have a specific reason to be suspicious. I do find things that are silver that are not marked clearly as such fairly normally — often times for example an older piece may have the marked worn off or something.

Also – might as well have the gold tester. Believe it or not you do find gold where it was not previously identified – for example a custom made gold ring in a lot at an estate sale or something — completely happens and is not far fetched.

[Sigilini]

Thank you Geoff, very very helpful info. I appreciate you both for taking the time to answer.

[Sigilini]

Thank you again Geoff and Sharyn. Very helpful and much appreciated.

Any opinion you would like to share about these pieces? They only say Mexico Silver, which I looked up and it seems kosher but I always like to get input here on the forum to bolster my confidence.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/162895427155
https://www.ebay.com/itm/162901107815

And just as a very interesting find, this one completely surprised me on its high value. Mine is damaged but others like it fetch a great price, so be on the look out. It does say sterling and it is coated with some kind of gold plating…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/162901153088

[Geoff]

There are plenty of folks making silver in Mexico, no reason to think it is not silver. Like many things name can be big, so when it comes to waiting for the right buyer to pay multiple x over silver value for the intrinsic value of craftsmanship… I find it can take a while when it comes to just normal silver out of Mexico.

[Sigilini]

Thanks again Geoff, I appreciate that you took the time to give your input.

[Author]

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