Sterling silver → 92.5% silver
• Marked: STERLING, 925
• European silver → 80–90% silver
• Marked: 800, 835, 900
• Has real melt value
• Tarnishes naturally (turns dark)
This is what most household sets are.
• Base metal with a thin silver coating
• Marked with brand names, not purity
• Common marks:
• COMMUNITY
• ONEIDA
• ROGERS
• EP, A1, AA
• ANTI-TARNISH
• ❌ No melt value
• Only resale/decor value
925 / STERLING
✅ Real silver
800 / 835 / 900
✅ Real silver
COMMUNITY
❌ Silver-plated
ANTI-TARNISH
❌ Silver-plated
EP / A1
❌ Silver-plated
Knife blades are usually stainless steel
• Handles can be:
• Hollow
• Filled with resin/cement
• Even in real silver sets, knives often have little or no scrap value
⸻
💰 What Silverware Is Worth
Solid silver:
• Paid by weight × purity × silver priceReal silver must say 925, STERLING, or 800+
• Brand names and “anti-tarnish” are not silver
• Always test before selling or melting
If you want, send:
• Photos of all markings
• Total weight
• Whether it’s a full set
I’ll tell you exactly what’s real silver and what it’s worth 💰
