Is my flute silver or nickel?

Question

I bought my daughter a flute and didn't ask if it was silver or nickel. Is there some way I can tell if its silver plated or nickel? I tried looking at the flute and noticed some funny marks. Can those marks tell me what type of metal it is?

Answer 1

Hello there,



Well, a student model / beginner flute can be nickel plated or silver plated and there is definitely a difference between the two. Silver plated is going to look like silver or silver jewelry. Nickel plated is going to look darker... similar to chrome. Also, if the flute is plated, you can always tell by looking at the ends of the pieces - the head joint or the body. If the instrument is truly silver, there will be no difference in the color/finish on the ends. If it is plated, you will absolutely see a change in color (a dull grey) about 2 inches from the bottom of the headjoint and 1/2 inch on the bottom of the body.



Now if you are asking if the flute is real silver, as opposed to a plated nickel... silver instruments are marked as such. Some will stay sterling silver or solid silver somewhere on the tubing of the flute.



And it is pretty safe to say, that if your flute is a beginner / student model instrument, it is a pretty good bet that it is plated.



Thanks for reading.

Answer 2

Nickel Plated Flute

Answer 3

There is a conn-selmer web site that provides Artley serial numbers. The number you have listed does not appear, so I cannot link it to a model. No model, not enough info. There are several factors that value a used flute: 1. condition 2. c-foot or b-foot 3. open-hole or closed hole 4. nickel or silver plate or solid silver I suggest that you visit ebay and look for similar Artley flutes and see what price they are bringing. This is a great way to educate yourself as to what your flute is or isn't. In my experience, most used Artley flutes out there tend to be studemt grade flutes. Don't get me wrong, they did produce conservatory quality flutes; they are just few and far between. If this is a student grade flute and good condition, it may bring $50 if nickel and $100 if silver plate on a site such as ebay. However, it is worth visiting your area school band director who may put you in contact with a parent who cannot afford a new instrument for their budding musician and make a quick sale.

Answer 4

All real silver must be stamped SS, 925, solid silver, or some other identifying mark. Sometimes just the HEAD is silver. Look at the tenon end of the head - if it is clearly another color, it is plated. Hold the head up by the top end, and clink the open end with your fingernail. If it *rings* - it is plated. Real silver just goes THUNK.



If you list the maker and model number, we can check - IF it is a legitimate company. For Asian junk - no telling.

Answer 5

If you can provide a make and model I can tell you what the plating is. If not, then price is a good indicator. If it was relativly inexpensive, it's nickle plated. I've seen nickle plated flutes sell for $400 and solid gold (not plated) flutes sell for $30,000. Message me the make and model and I'll let you know.

Answer 6

Metallic flutes are almost always silver-plated nickel.

Answer 7

I'm not a flutist, so one of the above answers will be better than mine...but I'd say that, if you have to ask, it's not silver. You would know from the amount of money you paid for it...