I'm back here after nearly a year of flute searching.

I failed to find suitable used flute from my country and since I have pretty low budget, I'm stuck with Yamaha, Trevor James or Pearl. Got to try a few Yamahas and Trevors in local music shop, but didn't like Yamahas and the good Trevors were too fancy and expensive. I plan on going for Pearl, but not one music shop here has them in, so I'm ordering online (with the possibility of sending back if it's absolute !***!).

So basically my question is, does sterling silver lip plate and riser improve tone? Or is it pointless to spend 50€ more just to have it?

I'm just going to add that I'm conciously going for student model, because I'm not that serious about flute (even though I've played for 8 years). I'm not looking for anything solid silver, but I can't help but wonder if silver lip plate does it any better.

Personally I would try both models for myself and see which I liked better. Sometimes the same headjoint model can be slightly different. If the same model option is available (ex. PH-610J, etc.) in a silver lip and riser as well as not, see if you notice any sort of difference. Personally I have only noticed REAL differences from different embouchure cuts rather than materials (unless you have a metal headjoint with wooden lip is a much different sound). Myself, I would not pay that much extra for a silver lip and riser when the resale value is almost identical between the two models.