How Do I Know ???? if My Christofle Silver is Silver ???? Silver Plate?

Posted on July 13, 2021January 30, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Do you have a prized Christofle silverware set that you save for special occasions? If so, it is quite possibly one of your most valuable possessions, but is it sterling silver? Christofle was responsible for an innovative new technology that created silver plated items, providing customers with luxury at a more affordable price. While both sterling and silver plated Christolfe pieces are beautiful, you’ll want to know the difference between the two, especially if you intend to sell your pieces in the future.

Evaluate the Silver Marks

Since the early 1800s, Charles Christofle used a series of unique markings in order to identify his products to the world. However, this mark has varied with time, so an experienced antique silver buyer is sometimes needed to identify exactly what the mark means. Early markings included the initials “GC” or “CC” along with a scale in the center. Later silver markings included the word “Gallia” above a cockerel for the Gallia silver range. Many pieces also include a stamp of the word “Christofle” next to the maker’s mark.

The markings can also distinguish silver versus silver plated pieces. A sterling silver mark on a Christofle piece will usually be printed as “925” – an indication that the piece is composed of 92.5% silver. If this mark isn’t present, or if there is another number (800, for example), you can feel confident that your item is actually plated rather than sterling silver.

Use a Magnet

If the markings on your Christofle are no longer clear, you can perform a simple test at home that will give you a good idea about the silver composition. Silver does not have strong magnetic effects, so if you hold a magnet up to your Christofle and it sticks strongly, you should feel confident that the piece is only silver plated. Likewise, if the magnet doesn’t stick, it is more likely that you have a sterling silver piece.

If you aren’t confident that your silver piece is really Christofle, the magnet test won’t necessarily mean that you have a sterling silver piece. There are many other materials that aren’t magnetic and simply resemble silver, and other manufacturers use these metals to produce Christofle-esque items.

Listen for a Ring

Sterling silver tends to make a lovely sound similar to a bell ringing when you tap on it. This is especially true when you tap it with another type of metal. Plated silver will produce more of a dull, thumping sound.

Get a Professional Opinion

If you still aren’t completely sure about whether your Christofle piece is solid or silver plated, there are many professionals out there that can provide insight. An auctioneer, antique dealer or estate sale business could examine the item and tell you more about the origin and its composition.

Whether you have a Christofle silver plate, flatware, or another antique piece, the experienced Florida silver buyers at Antique Silver Buyers can help. In addition to telling you more about your piece, we will also provide you with a market analysis of the value.

Silver Markings : Demystifying the Hallmarks

Posted on July 9, 2021September 24, 2021 by AntiqueSilver

Your silver is worth money. But there’s so much more to it than that. Over the nearly 30 years that I’ve spent discovering fascinating new pieces, I’ve taken it upon myself to try and share this deep appreciation of not only the value of some items but the rarity, craftsmanship, history, and stunningly brilliant beauty of the collections people bring to me.

And if that isn’t of interest to you, you’ll be interested in knowing that by being able to identify these traits can help assure you that you get exactly what your silver is worth.

Today we’re going to talk about Silver Hallmarks. Just a drop in the bucket, since this is an entire specialty of knowledge, but an excellent foundation.

Related Blog – Selling Gold and Silver: 4 Rules for Dealing with Antique Buyers

Silver Hallmarks, Silver Markings:

Sterling Silver

Essentially every new silverware set, tea set, etc. you will come across is marked with a stamp called a silver hallmark. The purpose of a silver mark is to tell the buyer (or in this case, you) what the purity of the silver is. The most common markings for sterling silver are fairly easy to decipher:

– Sterling

– 925 or .925

This indicates a 92.5% silver purity. Silver is often blended with other metals for increased strength. You may also see lower percentages of silver, such as 900 or 800. This indicates a lower percentage of silver and is no longer considered ‘Sterling’.

Fine Silver and Silver Plate

Fine Silver, quite simply, is composed of 100% pure silver. Pound for pound this is the most valuable silver you can find. We’ll learn next time what can give ‘pound for pound’ a run for its money. However, for today we’ll keep things simple. Fine Silver can just as easily be identified with the markings such as Fine Silver or Pure Silver. Rogers sterling (often marked Wm Rogers – and also indicated ‘Sterling’) is actually pure silver. Whereas Rogers plated silver is not.

Be wary of items marked as Stainless, Triple Plate, IS, Silver, EPNS, and the like. These indicate that your items are made from stainless steel, electroplated, or are simply silver plated. While these may be beautiful items they are not all that valuable. You may simply want to keep them in your home for your own enjoyment.

Unique Markings

Here’s where things get interesting. Remember what I said in the beginning? There is so much more to Silver than it’s weight in… silver. You will not always come across a marking that is as simple to read as what I’ve outlined above. Markings from around the world vary in more ways than just the country it comes from.

There are literally thousands of these unique markings offering insight into:

– The age of a particular item
– Place of origin
– Rarity
– Manufacturer
– Significance

And so much more.

For a quick example, the image below is a silver marking from the Kirk firm, founded in America in 1815. Samuel Kirk introduced a unique type of repousse decoration that has become known as the Baltimore Style and as since become highly imitated. This marking indicates both the year, location, manufacturer, and historical significance of the piece.

I hope you found this all very informative and exciting! I look forward to sharing more of my appreciation and knowledge about the wonderful works of silver soon. We’ll discuss markings from all over the world and the difference in significance between them.

If you’re eager to discover the true value of your silver right away, I always encourage people to consult a respected expert or two. You can also contact me directly and I’d be happy to answer any of your questions.

Best Way to Sell Antiques: 10 Tips for Making Money from Antiques

Posted on June 15, 2021September 6, 2021 by AntiqueSilver

Are you looking for a way to start making money from antiques & collectibles? While some people see the buying and selling of antiques as a hobby, others have turned it into a lucrative side-job or even their main career. There are a lot of different ways you can get into dealing in antiques, but if you really want to turn this into your main source of income, you’ve got to go about it the right way. By following these ten tips, you can get your new antique dealing job off to a great start.

1. Do Your Homework

Before you go out and purchase someone’s antique collection, you need to know what’s valuable and what’s not. You’ll find a lot of information in books on collectibles and online. Learn as much as you can about dealing in antiques and collectibles before you spend any money. That way, you’ll know what’s worth buying and what’s not.

2. Focus on One Area

The terms “antiques” and “collectibles” are very broad categories. It can be very difficult to learn everything there is about all the different types of antiques and collectibles out there. That’s why a lot of people focus on one area. For example, you could deal in antique furniture or Disney collectibles. By narrowing down your focus, you’ll be better able to know what’s valuable and be able to find specific buyers to sell your items to.

3. Only Buy from Dealers with a Good Reputation

This is especially true for those who are considering buying an antique collection online and can’t personally inspect the items. Always buy from someone with a good reputation to avoid getting ripped off.

4. Buy What You Like

5. Go for the Rare Items

Collectors want to own things that very few others will have, so always look for rare items. While you’ll probably have to spend more to buy these, you’ll be able to sell them for a lot more.

6. Watch for Fakes

You never know when someone is going to try to slip in a fake antique. There are a number of different ways these forgers can use to make items look older than they actually are. Learn about these techniques and how you can spot them. If you’re unsure of something’s authenticity, think twice before buying.

7. Understand the Restoration Process

You also need to know how the items are restored and what signs of restoration look like. Those who want to know how to make money from antiques might be surprised that people pass off restored pieces as originals, but they do.

8. Get Insurance

Be sure you insure your most valuable items or your collection as a whole. If you’re transporting these rare collectibles and they’re damaged, you’ll be glad you did.

9. Understand Auction Costs

If you’re buying items from an auction house, make sure you know what additional fees and costs are involved. Many auction houses charge a fee called a buyer’s premium in addition to the amount of your bid.

10. Look for Specialty Trade Shows

There are a number of trade shows out there that focus on one particular niche. For example, if you’re collecting rare comic books, make sure you attend a number of comic cons. You can find rare finds there to add to your collection, plus you may be able to become a vendor yourself.

How Do You Clean Heavily Tarnished Silver?

Posted on April 19, 2021August 24, 2021 by AntiqueSilver

5 Tips: How to clean heavily tarnished silverware at at Home

Silver is considered a precious metal for a reason. The gleaming, reflective quality of polished silver is unique among metals. It has been used for a variety of high-quality items throughout history. Everything from jewelry to coins to candelabras to elegant tableware to picture frames. It is likely that your family has some silver heirlooms. There is just one catch, silver is terribly prone to tarnishing. The beauty of sterling silver is only surpassed by the amount of effort it can take to keep it shining. If you have sterling silver, you are probably wondering how to clean silver items at home. In the article we will explore the 5 best-known at home methods for cleaning your silver.

#1 – How to clean antique silver with a lemon and salt bath?

This is a simple and easy way to restore the shine to your silver. It is particularly useful for frequent cleaning of silver utensils. Take some hot water and pour it into a bowl. Squeeze the juice of a lemon into the bowl. Add three tablespoons of salt. Place the silver item you are cleaning into the water and let sit for five minutes. Remove it and clean by rubbing it with a soft cloth to remove tarnish. For best results use a white silver cleaning cloth. A regular cloth takes more effort and produces inferior results.

#2 – How to clean tarnished silver with toothpaste?

Use toothpaste to clean your sterling silver and your pearly whites! One of the best tips for how to clean silver items at home is to use toothpaste. A little dab (pea-sized) will do it. Simply take the toothpaste and rub onto the silver item using a circular motion to polish it and gently remove the tarnish. Leave the toothpaste on the silver for five minutes and then thoroughly rinse with water.

#3 – How to clean silver with baking soda and foil?

Better silver cleaning through chemistry with baking soda and aluminum foil. One of the best and most popular ways to clean silver is the combination of baking soda and aluminum foil. Boil some water, enough to reach the top of the bowl you will use. Line the bowl with the foil, placing it so the shiny side is up. Pour the water into the bowl and add 1 tablespoon of baking soda for each cup of water. The solution will bubble. Right way you should place the silver item in the bowl. Make sure it touches the foil so the chemical reaction will happen. Leave the item in the solution, 2-5 minutes will do for a minor or regular level of tarnish. Heavy tarnish might require up to 10 minutes. Remove the item and rinse it in cool water then clean with dry cloth.

#4 – See How to clean antique silver with hand sanitizer?

Hand sanitizer removes germs from hands and tarnish from silver. We are all heavily invested in hand sanitizer these days. The coronavirus pandemic means that everyone is stocking up on it. It turns out that this ubiquitous item is actually an easily available answer to the question of how to clean antique silver. You probably have a plenty of sanitizer at home, grab it and get cleaning. It is simple. Just place a few drops of sanitizer on a dry cloth and begin to buff the silver item. It is always a good idea to use a white silversmith’s cloth for optimal results.

#5 – How to shine sterling silver with vinegar?

Shine sterling silver with vinegar. Here is how to clean antique silver with the power of vinegar. This method combines vinegar, water, and baking soda. Start with a bowl of lukewarm water. Add a mixture of a ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Add your silver item to the bowl. Let it soak for two to three hours. Rinse with cold water and allow it to dry.

Pro Tips on How to Identify Hallmarks on Silver

Posted on April 14, 2021January 31, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Individuals that have silver items are always eager to know whether what they have is sterling or silver plated. This helps to understand the value of the product and make informed decisions about buying and selling of such items.

Antique silver is valuable and commands high price. For both buyers and sellers of silvers, an understanding of such factors as the age, manufacturer, and rarity of silver items determines the value attached to the items. These important pieces of information about silvers are often contained in the hallmarks.

What Are The Hallmarks?

Silver hallmarks are small stamped symbols that are found on the back or underside of silver items. They are very essential in antique silver appraisal as they provide the right information that help to determine the value and true prices of silver items.

How to Locate Hallmarks?

Hallmarks are placed on different parts of silver pieces. To locate it in different items, check:

Bottom of silver trays, bowls, teapots and dishes
Back of silver flatware
Bottom of candlesticks, figurines, vases and decorative pieces
Near the clasp of necklaces and chains
And inside of rings and cuff bracelets.

Identify the Hallmarks

Image Source – https://bit.ly/3uGHYWm
Finding the hallmark is just the beginning of silver hallmarks identification. You need to figure out such information as the manufacturers of the item and the year it was made. Manufacturers change their marks over time but there are online resources that can help you to identify each hallmark. Most of them offer detailed photographs and extensive information that will help you determine the value of the antique.

Being able to identify hallmarks on silvers will help you to have a better understanding of what your antique is worth. This will put you in a better position if you finally decide to sell your silver. It will also be better to sell to antique silver dealers. Some reputable dealers will help you determine the value of your silver and buy at prices that are fair.

How to Prevent Tarnishing of Sterling Silver with 4 Simple DIY Hacks

Posted on April 9, 2021April 9, 2021 by AntiqueSilver

If you use your silver items often, you may find yourself polishing them before and perhaps even after every use. The amount of tarnish builds up quickly. Fortunately, there are a few different ways you can actually prevent tarnish from building up. By combining these hacks with the best way to clean & polish silver, you’ll keep your items looking great.

Use Special Bags

There are special anti-tarnish bags that are made to keep your silver pieces clear of tarnish. You won’t need to know how to polish silver if you have these bags. They’re designed to neutralize sulfur and other corrosive gases. These bags generally last around two years, even if you open them regularly.

Try Anti-Tarnish Paper

Another option is to place anti-tarnish papers between your silver items or around your silver jewelry. The items and paper can then be placed in an airtight bag or box. These papers usually last for around six months. You might still need to remove tarnish from silver pieces that are stored for longer than that.

Always Clean Your Silver After Use

If you’re not sure how to clean tarnished silver, you may need to purchase a polishing cloth. You can keep your silver flatware and plates in good condition if you give it a good polishing and make sure it’s clean before you put it away. You may not need to polish it after every use, but you do need to clean it thoroughly. Never put silver in the dishwasher. Instead, wash it with warm water and completely dry it before putting it away. Doing so will help keep the pieces from tarnishing.

Use Chalk

Basic chalkboard chalk can also help absorb sulfur and other gases that can tarnish silver. Simply place a few sticks of chalk in your jewelry boxes or in the cabinet where you store your silver pieces. Change it out every few months.

American Silver Marks: Deciphering Marks on Sterling Silver and Silver Plates

Posted on January 24, 2021February 11, 2021 by AntiqueSilver

Unlike silver items made in the UK, Europe, and some other parts of the world, American silver doesn’t have as many unique marks that make it easy to determine the manufacturer and other information. The U.S. doesn’t have assay offices, and up until 1905, there were no federal rules requiring silver manufacturers to place any type of quality guarantee on items.

Silver Coin Marks

Prior to 1868, most silver in the U.S. was created by melting down silver coins. That meant the pieces greatly varied in purity. The coins used were, at the time, only sometimes marked with a standard mark. Even then, that mark often only said “Coin” on it and told nothing about the silver purity. The antique silver value of these pieces can be very difficult to tell, especially if you don’t have any information about the piece.

Sterling Silver and the Introduction of Marks

Following 1868, sterling silver became the standard for coins, and in 1907, a standard sterling silver mark was introduced. The Federal government now required manufacturers to mark sterling silver pieces with a “925” mark, guaranteeing that the piece was at least .925 or 92.5% silver. This acted like an assay mark.

A Variety of Marks

Soon, different silver manufacturers began marking items in their own unique way. Tiffany & Co. was the first to add their own mark by adding “Sterling” to the 925 stamp. Soon, other manufacturers were adding their company name or creating unique marks to place on their items. There were no regulations on these marks, though, so the information provided did vary from company to company. Some included the year or location where the piece was made, but others didn’t.

This can make it difficult for antique silver buyers to easily determine information about their sterling silver pieces. Fortunately, experienced appraisers are often familiar with many of the manufacturer marks.

Are you selling precious silver items for scrap prices? Read how & where to sell before you do

Posted on November 26, 2020December 18, 2020 by AntiqueSilver

Do you have some silver items that you want to sell? There are a couple of different ways you can sell antique silver bowls and other silver items. The easiest method is to sell them as scrap silver. This involves finding a business that will buy the silver from you for its current value. They then melt down the items and sell off the silver to a company that will use it to make something else. A quick search for “where can I sell silver bowls” is likely to reveal a number of these businesses in your area.

Is This the Right Method for You?

Selling your antique sterling silver bowls and other silver items as scrap may not actually make you the most money. If your items are truly antiques, they’re likely worth much more as they are. Before you sell them to a scrap business, make certain you’ve researched the piece and know what it’s truly worth. You may be able to get much more for it by selling to silver bowls collectors online.

Understanding How it Works

When you sell to a silver scrap business, they usually pay you the current silver value per Troy ounce for your item. It’s important to know that it’s by Troy ounce, which is 0.911 of a U.S. ounce. Before you sell, determine the weight of your pieces in Troy ounces. Next, go online and look up the current value of silver per Troy ounce. Multiply that times the weight of the piece to get its value.

Take Premiums into Account

Remember, though, that you’re likely to get less than what you’ve calculated. Buyers charge a fee to purchase scrap silver. This covers their time in evaluating your items, the work it takes to melt them down, and provides them with a profit when they resell the silver. Some places charge as little as two percent, while others may charge upwards of twenty percent.

Up for a little “Antiquing” During the Corona Virus Pandemic?

Posted on October 21, 2020November 21, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

It is unprecedented calamity on a global scale. It stated as a distant rumor of an outbreak in China in the middle of winter and then spread slowly at times and like wildfire at other time through the world. Novel COVID-19 (aka the Corona virus) is a serious and highly contagious respiratory illness that is already responsible for thousands of deaths worldwide. It has forced the mass shut-down of everything as we practice social distancing in an effort to slow the spread of the pandemic. Now we are all working from home or just at home because we don’t currently have a job. It is a dark time and we all striving to find little rays of light in the darkness. Or maybe some normalcy that we can cling to for a little while. And, let’s be honest, along with being anxious, scared, and angry, we might also be bored.

It is an environment that has changed everything. There is no clearly defined end in sight yet. It has been a massive adjustment for everyone and every business. Most business have been sharply curtailed or even closed. Some essential businesses like grocery stores have to remain open. A lot of other businesses have had to focus as much as possible on doing business online. The antique business is among those. While the digital revolution has meant a huge increase in online antique appraisal and antique sales, that is not the tradition way of doing business for antique buyers and sellers. In this article we are going to explore the effect that the novel COVID-19 virus has had on the antique business and how you can spend some of your time while on lock-down “antiquing”.

Antique treasures in troubled times

An antique is a piece of the past that may be a hidden treasure or may be just a bit flotsam that has floated down the stream of time. When you look at an antique currently in your possession you may see it as a work or art that you want to display or wear. You may see it as a cherished connection to departed loved one. On the other hand, in spite of its beauty or its sentimental value, you may be asking how much it is worth. It is understandable if the issue is money and the value of your antique is at the forefront of your mind, particularly if the antique is something that is not to your taste but might be very much to someone else’s taste.

Here is the thing, right now a lot of us are stuck at home with time on our hands. It is also spring- a traditional time for “spring cleaning”. Think about that to do list you have had forever that includes cleaning the attic or the garage. Think of that antique you might have in a closet or jewelry box someplace because it doesn’t fit with décor of your home or go with your sense of style. This is actually an ideal time to do some spring cleaning around the house and sell the antiques you have been meaning get rid of. Also, many people currently are not sure when they will be working again and they are in need of immediate money. Potentially valuable antiques can be sold online for money quickly. On the other hand, if you are stuck at home and looking to buy some antiques you might find the antique jewelry, fine silver, or artwork of your dreams in just a few clicks!

“Antiquing” moves online”

When people think about “antiquing” they probably picture taking a drive to the country to browse at a quaint shop. They might picture selling an antique at a pawnshop in the city for fast cash. Some might think of a well-heeled, reputable auction house conducting an auction where people bid with paddles. Obviously, those traditional methods of buying and selling antiques is out. Antique buyers and sellers are already doing a brisk business online and now is time to join them!

At antiquesilver.org. we know how crucial an appraisal is to the process of selling your jewelry. We are among the leaders of online antique appraisers because of our staff of highly skilled appraisers. We have trusted, expert appraisers with the knowledge to accurately determine the highest price you can obtain for your antique silver. They have the technical knowledge necessary to evaluate the quality of your silver and the knowledge of the market necessary to set an accurate and fair value. They make it easy to get online appraisal by a specialist.

When you are ready to get an online antique appraisal by a specialist and sell online, get in touch with us. We are authorized buyers and sellers of antique silver. We are proud to be among the very best silver antique appraisers and sellers online. To get started, please send us a photo and a detailed description of your silver as well as any previous appraisals that have been done. We may also request that you mail your antique silver to us for appraisal. Along with appraisal, we can also help you find a buyer for your antique silver or help you find the antique silver that you have been looking for.