EPNS. Electroplated nickel silver, commonly known as “EPNS”, is an alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc that’s covered with a layer of pure silver in an electrochemical process. Nickel’s resemblance to silver helps disguise any worn spots that develop over time.
Is electroplated silver worth anything?
Is silver plate worth anything? Silver plate cannot be melted down and re-sold as sterling silver can, which makes it less valuable than sterling silver. However, there is value in silver plated items which comes less from the value of the silver content than the age, maker and quality of the item.
Is Epns the same as silver plated?
Nickel silver first became popular as a base metal for silver-plated cutlery and other silverware, notably the electroplated wares called EPNS (electro-plated nickel silver). It is used in zippers, good quality keys, costume jewellery, for making musical instruments (e.g., flutes, clarinets).
What is the difference between sterling silver and Epns?
EPNS silver isn’t 100 percent silver, but neither is sterling silver, which contains 92.5 percent silver. EPNS, electro plated nickel silver, is a process that lays a thin layer of silver alloy over a base of nickel, zinc and copper to give the piece the look of shining silver.
Is electroplated nickel silver valuable?
Plated silver is metal that is actually covered in a very thin layer of silver. EP and EPNS are other markings that indicate plated silver. Given that nickel silver has no actual silver content, it is not worth anything to precious metal refiners. Unfortunately, there is nothing of value to extract.
Does Epns tarnish?
The tips of the EPNS forks are most prone to tarnish as they are in regular contact with eggs, salt, condiments and very hot foodstuffs. Dark spots may arise when silverware comes into contact with undissolved salt in hot solutions of certain powder detergents.
How long does electroplated silver last?
around twenty years
Plated silver, even with good care, will likely only last for around twenty years. Other advantages of stainless steel include its price. It is generally much cheaper than silver and is resistant to corrosion. This means that one need not worry about overusing stainless steel jewelry.
What do you do with old Epns?
You can donate them to a charity shop. You can sell them at a car boot sale or use a number of online platforms including Gumtree, Friday-Ad, Facebook selling pages and other online platforms. You can also give them away for free through Freegle.
Is silver plated worth more than sterling silver?
Silver plate is less expensive than sterling silver because there is not as much silver content in a plated piece. Silver plate is just that – a thin layer of silver plated over another metal such as copper, brass or nickel.
Does Epns have a Hallmark?
Look out for the letters EP or EPNS which stand for electro plate or electro plated nickel silver. It may also have the marking A1 or B1 which denote the quality of the silver plate. This is just a little insight into the big world of hallmarks.
Is silver plated better than silver?
Weight – sterling silver pieces tend to be lighter vs silver plated, as the base metal weighs plated pieces down. Durability – in the comparison of silver plated vs sterling silver, sterling silver is more durable as the coating of plated silver can wear off with improper care.
How can I tell if it’s silver or silver plated?
Check the colouring of the item carefully; genuine silver is generally less shiny and colder in tone than silverplate. If you see places where the silver appears to be flaking off or turning green, the item is silver plated. To investigate further, you can try cleaning the item with a soft cloth.
Which is better nickel plated or silver plated?
Nickel plate can be a very durable finish. It is harder than silver plate, so it is very difficult to scratch of scuff, and it is not porous, so it is not affected by solder absorption or by the player’s sweat soaking through the finish.
Is silver-plated worth selling?
Silver-plated items, on the other hand, are a different story. They are made mostly of copper and typically only contain 1% silver by weight. As a result, although silver-plated items are often bulky, they are worth very little. Many thrift stores won’t even accept donations of silver-plated flatware.
Will a magnet stick to nickel silver?
Nickel silver is not a magnetic alloy. A magnetic will not stick to it.
How old is Epns?
Old English is one of the oldest cutlery patterns in existence and dates back to the 1760’s.
Does toothpaste remove silver tarnish?
Use non-gel and non-abrasive toothpaste.
Rub onto the jewellery or silverware with circular motions to polish it and clean off the tarnish. Leave it for 5 minutes and then rinse off the toothpaste with water. After this procedure the silver is clean and shiny as new.
Can you clean silver in Coke?
If you don’t have any chemical cleaner, you can use Coca-Cola, or Coke, as a simple cleaning substitute for sterling or plated silver. The acid in Coke works to cut through any grime or rust on the silver’s surface. Once you soak the silver in cola, you can have a piece that looks good and new!
What does Epns made in England mean?
Electroplated nickel silver, commonly known as “EPNS”, is an alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc that’s covered with a layer of pure silver in an electrochemical process.
Do magnets stick silver plated?
“Silver is not noticeably magnetic, and exhibits only weak magnetic effects unlike iron, nickel, cobalt, and the like,” says Martin. “If your magnet sticks strongly to the piece, it has a ferromagnetic core and is not silver.” Fake silver or silver-plated items are generally made of other metals.
What to do with old silver plated items?
A trained professional specializing in metals or antiquities should be able to identify silver plated items for recycling. You can also take it to a place that specializes in scrap metal recycling to learn more about what you have and what the value may be.