I recently purchased, what i thought was a silver serving tray, in an attempt to get rich quick buying garage sale items. I saw the Gold Buyers of Pittsburgh tv ad and though I’d give them a try. I was greeted politely thrust my serving tray down and said I think this is silver. Well turns out my serving tray was not indeed silver, but silver plated, which I didn’t know when I bought it obviously. So while they didn’t purchase my item the staff explained in detail what i should look for in the future(if it doesn’t say sterling it’s most likely not silver). «A penny saved is a penny earned» they gave me the knowledge I need to successfully identify worthwhile silver, so I can avoid throwing money away on junk. That said anyone interested in a faux silver serving tray? :)