The Best Silver Picture Frames for Every Gift

A silver picture frame is one of the few gifts that suits almost every occasion – a wedding, a new baby, a graduation, a 25th anniversary. But "silver" can mean several different things, and the difference matters for both price and care. Here is how to tell sterling from silver plate, and our favorite silver picture frames in every size.

Sterling, Silver-Plated, Pewter: What's the Difference?

• Sterling silver is .925 silver – 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper – and is usually hallmarked.
• Sterling silver overlay is a layer of .925 sterling silver over the frame.
• Silver-plated means a layer of silver over a base metal. It gives the look of silver at a gentler price.
• Pewter is a different metal altogether, with a softer, warmer gray tone.
• Silver-colored finishes – such as Michael Aram's Silver and Nickel finishes on handcrafted metal, or Christofle's stainless steel frames – have a silver look but are not silver.

Every frame below is labeled with its material exactly as it is described on its own page. Browse all picture frames.

Sterling Silver Picture Frames

For a true sterling silver frame, look to Cunill, Barcelona silversmiths since 1916. Their sterling frames are made of .925 sterling silver, carry a hallmark, and are treated with a tarnish-resistant lacquer. See all Cunill picture frames.

Cunill 'Classic' 5x7 Non-Tarnish Sterling Silver Picture Frame

Hand made of .925 sterling silver with stainless steel tooling that leaves crisp patterns in the metal. The solid wood back is finished in cherry mahogany with silver clasps, and the two-way easel stands the photo upright or sideways. The tarnish-proof lacquer means no polishing for the life of the frame, and it arrives in Cunill's two-piece gift box. (Its textured surface is not ideal for engraving.)

Cunill 'Fiori' 5x7 Non-Tarnish Sterling Silver Picture Frame

A hand-tooled, period-style border in heirloom quality, made of .925 sterling silver in Italy, with a hallmark and a cherry mahogany back.

Cunill Castell Non-Tarnish Sterling Silver 8x10 Picture Frame

A modern, flat border with a subtle inward bevel and a broad polished surface with plenty of room for engraving. Handcrafted in Italy of .925 sterling silver, hallmarked, with a high-gloss mahogany back.

Cunill Pearls Non-Tarnish Sterling Silver Triple 4x6 Folding Frame

Three 4x6 sterling silver frames with beaded inside and outside edges, joined by silver hinges so the frame folds and stands on its own – no easel needed.

Cunill Heart 2x3 Sterling Silver Picture Frame

A small .925 sterling silver heart frame for a 2x3 photo, with a two-way easel and tarnish-proof lacquer – a sweet Valentine's or new-baby gift.

Cunill Tiffany Plain Sterling Silver Overlay 8x10 Picture Frame

A .925 sterling silver overlay frame with a polished, mirror-finish plain border wide enough for engraving – for a formal 8x10 portrait.

Silver-Plated Picture Frames

Christofle, the French silversmith founded in Paris in 1830, makes silver-plated frames in designs such as Fidelio, Jardin d'Eden and Uni. Christofle notes that its frames have no protective varnish, so care for them as you would silver (see below). Browse Christofle picture frames.

Christofle Fidelio Silver-Plated Picture Frame, 3.5 x 5 in

Christofle's Fidelio design in silver plate, sized for a 3.5 x 5 photo, with a wooden back and a rotating latch for easy opening. It also comes as a 7 x 9 in frame.

Christofle Jardin d'Eden Silver-Plated Picture Frame, 4 x 6 in

A silver-plated frame from the Jardin d'Eden collection, made in France – a gift for graduations, weddings, Mother's Day or baby showers.

Christofle Uni Silver-Plated Picture Frame, 5 x 7 in

A plain, silver-plated 5 x 7 frame from Maison Christofle – simple, classic and always appreciated.

Cunill also makes silver-plated frames, handcrafted in Europe and presented in the Cunill gift box:

Cunill Nautical Silverplated 5x7 Picture Frame

A handcrafted European silver-plated frame with a classic wood back – for weddings, new babies, anniversaries and milestone celebrations.

Cunill VINARD Silver Plated Beaded Double 2x3 Multi-Photo Frame

A silver-plated beaded double frame for two small 2x3 photos side by side.

Silver-Finish and Nickel Frames by Michael Aram

Michael Aram frames are handcrafted metal, made in the Michael Aram workshops, where each design begins as a hand-forged original. They are not sterling or silver plate; "Silver" and "Nickel" are the names of their finishes. Browse Michael Aram picture frames.

Michael Aram Hammertone Frame

A hand-textured metal frame in a Silver or Gold finish, in 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10.

Michael Aram Reflective Frame

A handcrafted metal frame in a Nickel or Gold finish, in 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10.

Michael Aram Heart Frame, Silver

A handcrafted metal heart frame in the Silver finish, in 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10. There is also a gold version.

Michael Aram Elephant Frame 4x6

A 4x6 handcrafted metal frame with an elephant, in Silver, Pink or Blue – sweet for a nursery.

Pewter Picture Frames

Match Pewter frames are cast and finished by hand in northern Italy by artisan families, and the pewter develops a soft, warm patina with use. Learn more on our Match Pewter: handmade in Italy page, or browse Match Pewter picture frames.

Match Pewter Veneto Rectangle Frame

A hand-cast pewter frame from northern Italy, in Small, Medium, Large and X-Large.

Match Pewter Toscana Square Frame

A square pewter frame, hand-cast and hand-finished in northern Italy, in Small, Medium and Large.

Cunill Metro Plain Polished Pewter 4x6 Picture Frame

A plain, polished pewter 4x6 frame, handmade in the USA.

A Silver Look in Stainless Steel

Christofle also makes frames in stainless steel – they are not silver, but they have a bright, silvery look.

Christofle America Stainless Steel Picture Frame, 4 x 6 in

Pure, graphic lines with a subtle Art Deco touch, in stainless steel. It also comes in 5 x 7 in, and the floral Les Fables frame is stainless steel, too.

Want Sparkle Instead of Silver?

Jay Strongwater frames are hand-enameled metal set with crystals – not silver, but jeweled. Read our guide to Jay Strongwater or browse Jay Strongwater picture frames.

Choosing the Right Frame

• 4x6 – the standard print size; right for a desk, a nightstand or a shelf.
• 5x7 – a classic gift size, and a good choice for a wedding or graduation photo.
• 8x10 – for formal portraits and the photo that deserves the spotlight.
• 25th anniversary: silver is the traditional 25th anniversary gift – the Cunill Sterling Silver 25th Anniversary 8x10 Frame was made for it. More ideas in anniversary gifts by year.
• New baby: the Cunill Classic Sterling Silver Birth Record Frame holds a 3.5" photo and has five spaces meant for engraving the baby's name, date, time, weight and length. See our new baby gift guide.

Caring for a Silver Frame

• Cunill's non-tarnish sterling frames are lacquer-treated, so they don't need polishing.
• Christofle frames have no protective varnish: maintain them with a silver care product, avoiding the wooden parts.
• Pewter develops a soft patina with use – see our Match Pewter care page.
• For everything else about silver, read how to care for your silver.

Paris Tableware & Gifts, a store in Ridgewood, New Jersey, ships picture frames across the continental US, with free shipping on orders over $150.

Save your favorites: open any piece and tap the ♡ to add it to your Wishlist, then send the list to whoever is shopping for the next wedding or birthday.