Sterling silver plating is an interesting investment. As scrap silver, its not a good investment as plating is a thin layer of silver over a different metal, but don't discard its value. Silver plating is applied by an electrolysis method over copper or tin or nickel. If you can pick it up cheap say at a thrift store or garage sale, it still can be sold online in lots. It is usually only available on old silverware(plating is where it gets the name "silver" ware):
 6mm Jonquil Crystal Silver Plated Spacer Loose Beads 10pcs  US $.99
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 6mm White Crystal Silver Plated Spacer Loose Beads 100pcs US $8.99
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 17 2 3 SILVER PLATED NATURAL LABRADORITE GEMS BRACELET US $1.61
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