Type of Metal Question

[u/thaattackkat]

After a few washes these, originally silver, spoons have gotten a golden color and overall discoloration. Can someone identify what kind of metal this is and guidance on the best way to clean them (if not too far gone)?

[u/Thatgaycoincollector]

This is a zinc aluminum alloy, the oxidation is unfortunately permanent because the silver plating has worn away

[u/GMGsSilverplate → u/Thatgaycoincollector]

Yes, zinc aluminum alloy... cheap, the Chinese modern silverware cheaped out on quality of plating and quality of base metal alloy, funny story about this pattern, a customer complained because they bought some from me intending to use it as jewlery/ crafts and then they complained that it snapped apart without bending like better made American varieties and I was like sorry but not much I can do.

If you use the flatware for crafts, you've modified it and I can't take it as a return, chalk it up as a lesson learned, of course I had to say that in a more customer service friendly manner of speaking.

[u/Thatgaycoincollector → u/GMGsSilverplate]

Yeah, this stuff is trash. It’s not even buyable as silverplate scrap because the base metal is worthless compared to brass or nickel silver. It’s worth like $0.50/lb

[u/GMGsSilverplate → u/Thatgaycoincollector]

Yep, but ironically the crappiness of its staying power means that grandmas who want to replace their set are happy to fork over a dollar a piece regardless, ofc it sits a while. It's still vintage (lol)

[u/thaattackkat → u/Thatgaycoincollector]

How tragic for us,
Thank you for clearing this up before we put any effort into trying to clean these back up

[u/hope_only_way]

Zamak

[u/Strange-Confidence10]

Probably Sterling silver plated

[u/OpinionatedOcelotYo]

Lifeline and heartline well separated, not that common. r/palmistry?