Posted by Rick Denney on November 20, 2002 at 18:26:33:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Seeking advice on protecting the shine posted by Erica on November 20, 2002 at 17:51:39:
if it is silver-plated (highly unlikely), then it will have a white color compared to the grayer color of nickel-plating. Nickel will always have a darker appearance, almost like stainless steel, than silver. Compare it with something that is really silver and well-polished, and you'll see the difference.
If it's brass, it will be yellow. If it is lacquered, it will have a clear-coat over the yellow brass that you can usually see--the corners of the engraving will be shiny, for example, in ways it would not if it was unlacquered. But if it's yellow, I'm sure it's lacquered, otherwise the shine probably would have faded before you had a chance to get it.
Rick "who thinks actual testing is not worth the trouble in this case" Denney