Silver: look-alikes and how to tell
Short answer
Silver is commonly confused with silver plate (EPNS), alpaca, nickel silver, white gold and platinum.
Silver, white gold or platinum without marks: white colour does not tell them apart.
Look-alikes
- silver plate (EPNS)
- alpaca, nickel silver
- white gold and platinum
What to look at
Silver tarnishes black (sulphide); white gold and platinum do not. Yellowish metal showing through wear gives away plate.
What settles it
- Jeweller: acids or X-ray fluorescence.
Frequently asked
What can silver be mistaken for?
silver plate (EPNS); alpaca, nickel silver; white gold and platinum.
How can I tell silver from its look-alikes?
Jeweller: acids or X-ray fluorescence.