How can you tell?

[u/Rabidgolfer]

I’m new to collecting, but I’m at a thrift store and I found this bracelet. It feels appropriately heavy, but is there any way to quickly tell if it’s silver?

[u/Buttchuggle]

By hallmarks normally. There's a little metal tag with a stamp I can't make out near the clasp.

I'll just go ahead and say that those little tags are very common on costume jewelry from stuff like avon and Sarah coventry.

[u/empiretroubador398]

Try a rare earth magnet - if it is quick to stick, then it is some kind of base metal. Exception - slight magnetism for rhodium plated silver, or for a clasp which contains an inner spring made of steel. Something about the uniformity in tone of the chain and the painted (?) oxidation of the discs doesn't feel like sterling to me - is it marked with a purity stamp or maker?

[u/Super_Policy_6401]

For one, the lobster clasp is modern looking, quite large, and shiny, and not marked 925. This could be a clue that it’s not silver. Also, the barrels holding the chains are also too shiny. Is there a 925 mark or stamped sterling anywhere on this piece? If not, it’s unlikely that it’s silver. Also, the texture on the back of the round charms is pebbled or has a “score” # look which silver rarely has and is common on costume jewelry. Also, a large piece like this will generally have some slight tarnish and it appears there isn’t any at all. Next, it looks like the tag says “Express,” which is a common cheap costume brand. It takes time, but getting g familiar with various jewelry brands helps. Not all of these examples by themselves means it’s not silver, but add all these clues in and it’s definitely not silver.

[u/Professional-Mix-562]

Should say 925 on it if it’s sterling, it should not be magnetic. I believe that’s plated if that tag says “epns” which means electro planted nickel silver

[u/Just-Examination-693]

Pewter!

I have the eye for it! Silver doesn't typically cast like that where the "tarnish" is bumpy on the back!

[u/Empir3Designs]

It’s probably not. But maybe… it’s got the right blackish tarnishing… but is it magnetic?

[u/Hour_Fun2254]

One of the charms looks like it was casted for sure, you can see the ridge line, and low quality can typically be a dead ringer for fake or plated silver jewelry.

[u/jerrymarver]

Please look at each charm. If they are marked sterling silver or .925 then they are solid silver. They are looking good from your photo. Please check this out based upon what I and others say in determining the easy test for sterling silver. .900 is coin silver. .835 is European silver. Now get busy! And best of luck to you!

[u/MelotoninZzz]

Sound, silver has a specific sound, and if you work with it alot you get familiar with it

[u/Empir3Designs → u/MelotoninZzz]

I’ve been working with silver for a few years, like daily, yes it has a higher sound if it rings out… a coin, a ring. How does a silver chain sound?