How can I tell the difference from real and fake silver online?

I've been keeping search queries based on online auctions in eBay regarding silver. I was wondering if there was any sure way to tell if it's real sterling silver, or some fake coating they layered the jewelry with. It seems like it's always hard to really tell and be 100% sure, so I wasn't sure if there were any tricks of the trade I could learn about this.

Thanks for any help and advice.

 

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Don't buy from unknown sellers, if you buy from only known sellers, it might be a few more bucks, but at least you know it's real silver. Otherwise, how about those people in jewelry shops? They seem to know their stuff..
As a rule of thumb, don't buy from anybody with a feedback of 90% or lower, and he should have at least around 1000~500 trades done.

 

To go one step further, I don't even buy online if I don't have to. I do my best walk away from a transaction with my silver in hand. I know it's not always possible... like when I serve in Iraq or other countries. During these times, I have someone I trust make my purchases in person for me and hold on to it. My brother did it for me and now I do it for him as he is now in Afghanistan.

 

Supposedly silver plating has a somewhat offensive sulfur like smell due to the coating process. Sterling (92.5%) or pure silver is supposed to have a "sweet" smell. I haven't really tried this out, but have heard it a few places.

 

It is extremely hard to tell fakes from real coins if you don't have them in your hand. However, if it is not possible to buy from someone local, it is first best to blow up the picture of the potential coin you are going to buy and compare it to what it is supposed to look like. Especially if it is a valuable coin, look for any markings that might give away that it is a fake. Whether it is the outer rim or where the dates on the coin are positioned will be helpful to look at. I have been hurt in an eBay scam before where I have purchased fake coins, so I would not recommend it.