Electroplating a metal with silver is accomplished by placing the metal item into a liquid solution containing silver, such as silver nitrate. A negative electrode is connected to the metal. The positively charged silver ions in the solution are attracted to the metal when an electric current is introduced. The metal is then coated with the silver ions and becomes silver-plated.
Before electroplating became common, a process called Sheffield Plating was used. Sheffield Plating was the process of coating a metal in between two sides of silver and rolling it into sheets from which plated products were made. The Sheffield Plate process fell out of use when the less-expensive alternative of electroplating was introduced in the mid-19th century.
Electroplated items are generally stamped with a code that indicates what type of base metal is under the silver plate. The most common code found on silver plate today is EPNS, or electroplate on nckel silver. There is also EPBM, or electroplate on Britannia Metal (pewter), EPWM, or electroplate on white metal, and EPC, or electroplate on copper.
Pieces such as candlesticks, napkin rings, entree dishes, tea sets and cake baskets are commonly electroplated items. Electroplating is the only way to make flatware patterns in the style of their sterling counterparts. Using Sheffield Plate would reveal a seam exposing the base metal underneath the silver.