How to Become a Top Antique Dealer: Few Important Tips

Posted on January 24, 2024February 15, 2024 by AntiqueSilver

Did you know that the antique market in the United States is valued at a whopping $17.6 billion? And it’s only expected to grow. If you’re passionate about the antique world, like me, you might be wondering how you can turn your love into profit. But becoming an antique dealer is not easy – it requires certain skills and traits that you need to master if you want to succeed.

As an antique dealer, you’ll be buying and selling different antique items like furniture, books, coins, sculptures, jewelry, military memorabilia, and paintings. You’ll need to have a deep understanding of these items and be able to determine their authenticity, rarity, and value. You’ll also need to know where to find the best deals and how to negotiate to get the best price.

However, before you venture into this endeavor, remember that being an antique dealer comes with significant responsibilities. To succeed in this fascinating industry, certain traits and skills are crucial. Let’s delve into these aspects to provide insights into a profession that can turn your efforts into profit.

What are antique dealers and what do they do?

Antique dealers are professionals who buy and sell various antique items, including furniture, books, coins, sculptures, jewelry, military memorabilia, and paintings. They are passionate collectors of rare objects and carefully examine the authenticity of antique silver tea sets and other similar findings.

Their responsibilities include determining buying prices, performing necessary repairs, displaying items, setting selling prices, and finalizing deals. Additionally, they may share their knowledge to assist those investing in antiques.

Learn About Buyers and Where They Collect Antique Pieces From

Buyers and sellers of antique goods often search for and purchase items at auction houses, estate auctions, and antique fairs. They may acquire items from other buyers, inheritances, and flea markets. In the US, some of the top places to find antiques include:

Brimfield Antique Show in Massachusetts: This is the largest outdoor antique show in the country, featuring over 5,000 dealers and attracting 130,000 visitors.
Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas: This bi-annual event is held over 25 miles with thousands of vendors nationwide.
Scott Antique Markets in Atlanta, Georgia: This is the world’s largest indoor antique show, boasting over 3,300 booths and 500,000 square feet of space.

What Professionalism Is Expected from Vintage Item Buyers?

Antique/Vintage item buyers are expected to exhibit professionalism when dealing with antique items. They should have extensive knowledge about the condition, history, rarity, and popularity of the items they sell. This is particularly important when accurately identifying defects and fakes and appraising items like Tiffany silver flatware.

Practical communication skills are also a must-have for buyers as they interact with sellers, customers, and other dealers. They should be able to build rapport and trust with clients, handle objections, and conduct post-sale follow-ups to maintain positive relationships.

Find a Platform for Selling and Buying

When entering the dealing industry, choosing a platform for selling sterling silver flatware or building a collection is crucial. Online platforms with both offline and online presence offer several opportunities for selling and buying. Creating a personal website can also attract a targeted audience directly, resulting in converting clicks into customers.

Having your website has several benefits, including showcasing inventory attractively, reaching a global audience, enhancing credibility and reputation, and saving time and money by avoiding fees and commissions.

What Specialty Should Antique Dealers Have to Excel in the Industry?

To excel in the antique dealing industry, professionals should possess the following skills:

The ability to purchase items through auctions, trade shows, individual sellers, and online marketplaces.
The capability to sell antiques to the general public through stores or stalls located at antique centers.
Proficiency in negotiation skills for both purchases and sales.
The ability to study and identify the value of antiques.
Confidence in buying and selling antiques online.
Confidence in performing modest repair work on antiques.

Becoming an antique dealer is a unique journey shaped by individual niche interests. Explore online courses, webinars, magazines, newsletters, and books to further your knowledge.

Resources for Learning More about Antiques:

Many resources are available if you are interested in antiques and want to learn more about them. You can take online courses and webinars from organizations like the International Society of Appraisers, the American Society of Appraisers, and the Appraisers Association of America. There are also several magazines and newsletters that you can read, such as Antique Trader, Antiques and Fine Art, and Kovels on Antiques and Collectibles. Additionally, many books and guides are available, such as Miller’s Antiques Handbook & Price Guide, Warman’s Antiques & Collectibles, and Kovels’ Antiques and Collectibles Price Guide. These resources can help you learn more about antiques’ history, value, and appreciation.

These resources let you stay updated on the latest news and trends in the antique industry, enhancing your expertise and success as an antique dealer.

Finding the Right Buyer: Looking Locally for Sterling Silver Buyers Near You

Posted on December 12, 2023September 1, 2025 by AntiqueSilver

When selling sterling silver to a buyer takes effort and time to get most of it. Everything starts with finding a trusted dealer who can offer you an accurate, honest, and reliable deal. It can be sometimes daunting, especially when you’re a newbie. And for professionals, it’s just like winning the game again & again.

Beginners out there, there’s no need to worry and feel stuck in your thoughts of identifying the right ones. To make your search end right at one place, we’ve created this blog post. It contains helpful information about how to find reputed sterling silver buyers near you…

Let’s complete the reading part as soon as possible, and bring such practices into action in the waking world…

#1. Customer experience matters the most!

When you’re searching digitally or offline about any services, you always check for customer feedback & reviews. It gives a big sign whether the company can be trusted or not. You got to know about its red and green flag. Right? Similarly, when you’re searching for a reliable local silver buyer, you need to do the same. Get clear clarification before you decide to deal with him/her.

#2. Communication reveals deepest facts

When dealing with a silverware buyer, keeping your perks straight is the only way to achieve your aim. When you sell your valuable object online, you don’t need to stop by their shop, you can just make a phone call & directly keep your word. Additionally, you need to talk about everything that increases the chances of the buyer to prove his/her reputation.

#3. Must-have Experience & Certification

The third most important trait of sterling silver flatware shops is their experience in their expertise and whether they are certified or not. Examine their professionalism with years of experience. Check whether the shop is certified A+ from BBB (Better Business Bureau). Such qualities when fulfilled, you are going to deal with the right buyer.

#4. Best price guaranteed!

You already know that your sterling silverware is actually a valuable object. And, of course you need top price for it. Remember that, look for such buyers who offer great prices for your great valuables. You can ask the dealer what prices they can offer & also take 2-3 silver appraisal to get confirmation about sterling silver flatware accurate value.

Final Verdict!

Make decisions wisely! Afterall, it’s about your precious silverware and money. However, above-mentioned facts need to be fulfilled by buyers out there in order to attract customers. Do your research and never miss a chance to get above your expectations.

Additionally, If searching for “who buys sterling silver near me,” let us introduce ourselves, we are the right silver buyers for you! We are Florida’s largest and most trusted dealers who buy silverware and offer great-great prices. Get in touch with us now!

How to Clean Sterling Silver Naturally?

Posted on December 7, 2023December 12, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Learn how to naturally clean sterling silver. In the blog post shared, a comprehensive guide provides effective and eco-friendly methods to restore the brilliance of your silver items. Discover homemade solutions and techniques to remove tarnish and dirt from sterling silver without the use of harsh chemicals. From baking soda and lemon juice to vinegar and aluminum foil, we cover a range of natural cleaning methods. Our expert tips and step-by-step instructions ensure safe and efficient cleaning, preserving the beauty of your sterling silver. Visit our website now to explore our guide and keep your silver shining bright the natural way.

Do you have a tarnished sterling silver piece that you are hoping to clean, but don’t want to use any harsh chemicals? If so, you are in luck, as there are several safe and natural ways to clean sterling silver, many of which involve items that you already have in your home.

Cleaning Sterling Silver with Corn Starch

A quick search of your pantry might find you a great solution to clean your sterling silver. A mixture of cornstarch and water in the form of a paste can make your silver look like new again. Apply the paste with a damp cloth, then let it dry and rub it off with a mildly abrasive towel. If you don’t happen to have any cornstarch at home, cream of tartar could be a suitable substitute.

Vinegar

If your sterling silver jewelry or silverware has lost its shine and luster, try soaking it in a solution of ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Allow it to sit for two or three hours, and then remove it and rinse with cold water. Make sure you dry off your piece thoroughly in order to prevent tarnishing.

Lemon Juice

If you want your silver to sparkle, a mixture of one tablespoon lemon juice with1 ½ cups of water and ½ cup of instant dry milk can be a good option. The end result will be silver pieces that shine, all without the use of chemicals or store bought solutions. Not only is it a good option for silver jewelry, but the lemon solution can also be beneficial for rusty knives and other silver pieces.

Tomato-Based Paste

Tomato-based pastes like ketchup are a good way to help restore your silver pieces back to their former glory. Use a small bowl and fill it up with ketchup, and then dunk in your silver piece of jewelry. To scrub the piece, use a toothbrush, as this can help to clean the areas that are hard to reach. You should only leave the ketchup on for a couple of minutes, and then use water to rinse it. A microfiber cloth is a good option for the final polish.

Baking Soda

Sterling silver will react with moisture in order to create a layer of tarnish. Baking soda that is activated by hot water can dislodge this tarnish when aluminum is present, leaving your jewelry shiny and clean once again. To try out this option, boil enough water that your sterling silver piece can be completely submerged, and then add in a tablespoon of baking soda along with a sheet of aluminum foil. Use a plastic or wood utensil to move the item around so that all surfaces will contact the aluminum. Finally, rinse and wipe down the piece of jewelry, and you should be left with a beautiful piece.

If you have sterling silver jewelry or antiques, you don’t have to go out and buy an expensive sterling silver cleaner. By using some common and natural household items, you can get the look that you want without spending a fortune.

Important Tips For Cleaning Your Silver and Antiques

Posted on December 5, 2023December 12, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Do you have a silver antique that has seen better days and needs to be cleaned? Are you looking for a way to polish your antique silverware to give it a shine that you’ll be proud to show off? There are many safe ways that you can clean your silver and antiques, all at an affordable price. If you are interested in the best way to clean silver plate, follow some of these helpful tips.

Silver Plate Cleaning Methods

There are a ton of ways that you can go about cleaning silver plate naturally, which is one of the best ways to clean your antiques without worrying about damage to your pieces:

Vinegar. If your silverware or silver jewelry has lost its shine, you can soak it in a solution of 2 tbsp. baking soda in ½ cup of white vinegar.
Lemon. For silver that sparkles and shines, mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with ½ cup instant dry milk and 1 ½ cups of water.
Corn starch. A mix of water of cornstarch and water can create a paste that will make your silver antiques look like new again. Allow the paste to dry on the silver, and then rub it off with a mildly-abrasive cloth.
Tomato paste. Dunk small silver pieces into tomato paste and scrub with a toothbrush. You’ll get a thorough cleaning and the silver will sparkle upon completion.

Many of these items are probably already in your pantry, providing you a simple and affordable way to clean your most prized silver possessions.

How to Polish Your Silver

After cleaning your silverware, you may want to give it some extra sheen with a good polish. There are a variety of safe silver polishes available for purchase, including Wright’s Silver Polish, Twinkle Silver Polish, and Goddard’s Long Shine Silver Polish. While these products are safe, others, including all-purpose metal cleaners, are too abrasive and may scratch your silver antiques.

After washing and cleaning your silver thoroughly, follow these tips to polish appropriate:

Apply the polish using the instructions on the container. You should always use a soft and clean cloth and apply the polish with a circular, gentle motion.
Use hot water to rinse off the polish and dry the piece thoroughly.
Using a soft cloth, buff the silver to create a soft luster. Remember that aggressive polishing could rub off the hallmark or damage the silver-plating, significantly altering the value.

Cleaning your silver and antiques doesn’t have to be an expensive process, but you should be sure to take proper precautions. A clean and well-polished antique will look more valuable and is more likely to sell at an auction or estate sale. If you are interested in selling, bring your antiques in to Antique Silver Buyers, where we will provide a market analysis of your collection – the total that they are likely to sell for at auction.

Repousse Sterling Silver

Posted on October 17, 2023November 21, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Have you ever wondered how some antique silver pieces can contain such detailed and extravagant designs? It is through a metal working process known as Repousse /rəˌpo͞oˈsā/. It is a French word that means “pushed back” and it relates to the labor intensive way the metal must be carefully manipulated by a skilled silversmith. It is a combination of skilled technique that dates back for thousands of years, but some of the top master metalsmiths have left a Repousse legacy.

Baltimore Repousse

In fact, repousse is such a large and distinctive aspect of antique sterling silver in American history that it is commonly referred to as Baltimore Repousse. Baltimore, MD became known as a hotbed of aspiring and highly skilled silversmiths that manufacturing firms settled down there. As more and more of the repousse sterling silver patterns emerged from these talented firms, some of the most well-known makers today got their start in Baltimore during the mid-19th century emergence of this praised metal working technique.

Baltimore repousse was an expensive luxury reserved for the rapidly emerging wealthy class. It replaced most of the colonial style 925 silver on the tables of debutante balls and dinner parties, also French traditions. Most repousse sterling silver pieces were hand hammered, embossed and even gently pressed from the reverse side, but some, like flatware, were made using a press mold. However, the antique silver markings would be stamped onto each valuable piece. Identifying those markings today can help an antique silver dealer valuate your piece.

The Who’s Who in Repousse Silver

Some of the most valuable pieces today bear the markings of names like:
Tiffany & Co
Jenkins and Jenkins
Schofield Company
Stieff Silver Company
And Samuel Kirk, the silversmith who is credited the most with bringing repousse sterling silver to Baltimore.

Stieff and Kirk later merged while some of the silver manufacturing firms were handed down to sons and merged with other partners in the 20th century. The Baltimore firms are no longer operational today. Steiff and Kirk were eventually bought up by the famous Walter Scott Lenox of which we know as the American company today; Lenox.

Tiffany Repousse silver is some of the most valuable on the market today. A single spoon can bring hundreds of dollars. Stieff Repousse sterling silver is also highly sought after by collectors. If you have a piece of silver, or a set, hollowware or flatware, it is important to know what you have. Just because it may have an intricate design doesn’t mean it is worth top dollar. Even some of the famous names in silver made silver plated pieces.

Taking your pieces to a professional will allow you to have your crafted piece of history evaluated and assessed. Antique silver buyers will be able to tell you, based on the markings, who made your piece of repousse sterling silver, when it was made, if it is sterling silver or silver plated as well as the town it was assayed in. All of these factors play a vital role in determining the value to you and the value to collectors should you decide to have your piece formally appraised for estate purposes or to sell at auction.

Where can I Look For the Silver Markings to Determine the Value

Posted on October 14, 2023November 21, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Nowadays, silver’s applications in the world are beyond measure. But silver is not an inexhaustible resource. In recent years, mines have been unable to meet the current demand. To keep pace with the constant fluctuations of the supply and demand of the silver market, ‘old’ silver gets melted down and are used again.

This ‘old’ silver is known as scrap metal but doesn’t necessarily equate to worthless. Markings on antique silver dictate its value. You may be asking where can I look mine up and what do they mean?

Determining your Silver Markings Value

Some antique silver marks make the pieces or sets invaluable to collectors. Some of the most highly sought after markings are rare in nature and can bring thousands to tens of thousands of dollars at an auction. Other markings may be more common, with less of a demand in the collector’s world.

However, the demand for scrap silver may be higher and bring a higher payout. Here are the three main applications of silver in today’s global economy that influences the demand and value of scrap silver pieces:

1. Industry

Silver is used in many ways due to its unique properties of being durable, lustrous and conductor as well as corrosion resistant. It is commonly used in batteries, automobiles, switch panels, elevator buttons, traffic controls on railways, radiography, coins, bars, jewelries and more to improve operations and make human’s living much easier and smoother.

2. Investments

Silver is added to many portfolios as a way to diversify investments and capitalize on its enduring value as a precious metal. It can be invested in many ways, including tangible bullion, medallions and coins you can keep with you or by enrolling in accumulation plans based on stock values or trust accounts. When appraised by an expert will prove to be a valuable asset as an investment.

3. Jewelry and Décor

Jewelries and décor items has been produced with silvery metal and will continue to produce in coming generations. Craftsmanship is elegantly displayed and easy to showcase. It is also used in fine photography, your home’s insulation and even solar panel cells to reduce the carbon footprint of our generation. Jewels and decoration items are also the making of money through markings on silver objects.

As you can see, determining your silver markings value depends on a multitude of factors, not just the value established by a collector. Although that can be the most important one to keep in mind.

Where Can I Find Silver Markings?

Markings are mostly found on the underside or back side of the pieces so as to preserve the aesthetic quality of the craftsmanship. They may be found at the base of sculptures and candelabras or the handles of spoons and the back of platters. Coins may or may not have markings. Some are stamped with marks to denote sterling, but fraudulent markings are common with coins.

What do Silver Markings Mean & How to Know the Meaning?

The truth is that there are over 12,000 different silver markings, they all tell unique historical details. Professional appraisers will be able to tell you what they mean and what value they hold. Having your piece inspected will help you to determine the worth of your silver piece according to the market and what it is worth to you personally.

4 Quick Ways to Identify “Real Silver” v/s “Fake Silver”

Posted on October 4, 2023November 21, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

When you purchase a piece of antique silver, you want to make certain it’s a true antique and that it’s really made out of at least 92.5% silver. Some pieces may look like true silver, but they’re not. They’re simply pieces designed to look great but also be quite affordable. How can you tell if something you’re buying is really silver?

Here are 4 quick ways to identify silver

1. Look for the Mark

Silver should be marked with an assay mark that identifies it as pure silver. “Sterling,” “92.5” or “925” are required for silver made in Europe and other parts of the world. In the U.S., these marks weren’t always required for silver identification, unfortunately.

2. Tap It

Silver makes a ringing sound if it’s tapped. This sound is easily identifiable to those who know what to listen for. You can carefully tap silver plates, bowls, and other items to get a bell-like sound that’s fairly high pitched. To inspect silver coins, tap them with another coin or flick them up in the air. Always be careful, of course, that you don’t damage the silver. Any scratch or dent will decrease the value of antique silver.

3. Does Ice Melt on the Silver?

Another trick antique silver buyers often use is the ice trick. Silver is a great conductor of heat, so if you put ice on it, the ice should instantly start melting. If you put ice cubes of the same size on a ceramic plate and on a silver plate, the cube on the silver should melt much faster. Just remember to dry the plate after you’ve done it.

4. Polish the Piece

When you polish a piece of silver with a soft cloth, you should see some black marks appear on the cloth. That indicates that you’ve rubbed off some of the tarnish. If you don’t see this, it’s a good sign that the piece isn’t silver.

Henry Moore Biography, Art, and Analysis of Works | The Art Insight

Posted on September 25, 2023October 12, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Henry Moore was born and raised in Yorkshire but traveled far and wide, learning all that he could about art in all its forms and the world around him. From an early age, he knew that he wanted to pursue art. However, his family was not very accepting of his work at this time, and he had to put off formal training and education for quite a few years. He explored many avenues in life before becoming a renowned artist, talented, and revolutionary. While a Henry Moore sculpture may sound unfamiliar to you now, there was a time when his name would have gained near-instant recognition. However, after his death, his reputation was significantly diminished.

When Did Henry Moore Make His First Sculpture?

Throughout his childhood, art was not heavily supported by his family. In fact, he went through a wide variety of jobs before becoming exclusively an artist. If he was not able to pursue art young and had to work elsewhere later, it begs the question of when his first true sculpture came into existence. Not only that, but after all that time waiting, what was Henry Moore’s first sculpture? Pushing toward his ultimate artistic goal, Moore worked as a teacher, a soldier, and a physical therapy instructor. He returned to teaching later in life. It was there that he received his first public commission. West Wind was the first of eight separate relief sculptures Moore completed between 1928 and 1929. The piece depicts a man in a semi-abstract form that is integrated into the wall of London Underground’s headquarters.

His Work Changed Over Time

In July of 1929, Moore married Ms. Irina Radetsky. For a while, she posed for his art. His art focused more often than not on his humanitarian values and a repeated motif of mother and child, along with his reclining figure making several appearances. He goes through several stylistic periods throughout his life. For example, he begins his carving period with his first reclined figure piece, carved out of brown Hornton stone. This piece is influenced by Aztec art, predominantly. As his art progresses, this figure makes several reappearances.

In fact, it makes another appearance shortly after the first reclining figure is released, as his art evolves again. This next piece takes a far more surrealistic yet still constructivist approach and is a 4-piece configuration of stones (called Four-Piece Configuration) that creates the essence of a reclined figure.

This combination of surrealism and constructivism continues for several years, as evident in his 1939 piece Bird Basket, which carries geometric elements of constructivism while retaining the biomorphic form of surrealism. It explores not only what he can do with the sculpture itself but what can be said about the negative space surrounding it as well.

Finally, in some of his later pieces, Moore explored both internal and external forms. Much like how the hard shell of a lobster claw hides the soft meat, his hard exteriors hide different textures or materials within. This was exemplified in his piece Helmet, in which he explored the differences between hard and soft in one cohesive piece.

While the decision of which of these masterpieces is Henry Moore’s best sculpture remains up for interpretation, no one can deny that he was among the best and most important artists of the 20 th century. He brought a perspective no one had considered prior and held extreme influence in the artists following him.

To know more, visit us: www.antiquesilver.org

Christofle Sterling Silver Marks & A History of Christofle Sterling Silver Marks

Posted on August 23, 2023September 20, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Christofle is a French manufacturer of fine silver flatware and other home accessories. The company was founded in 1830 when Charles Christofle, then a popular jeweler, expanded his line to include silver picture frames, porcelain dinnerware, crystal vases, and hollowware. A variety of designers and artists helped to create Christofle’s pieces, included famed Parisian silversmith Antoine Perrin, Jean Cocteau, and Gio Ponti, among others.

Like most prominent silver designers, Christofle wanted a way for his customers to identify his pieces and their authenticity. To do this, he placed a hallmark on each of his products through the use of a complex stamping process. These hallmarks are created to identify authentic silver at purchase, and they are intended to be easily seen by the user.

A History of Christofle Sterling Silver Marks

Charles Christofle was the first person to introduce French-made electroplated silver to the world. His pride over this accomplishment led him to mark his items to properly identify his work, and this mark has varied over time. Early marks included the initials “G” and “C” along with a scale in the center. Later marks include the word “Gallia” for the Christofle Gallia silver range above a cockerel. Many pieces are also stamped with “Christofle” next to the maker’s mark.

Silver Marks Since 1976

At the International Hallmark Convention in 1976, changes were made to silver marks that would be accepted in the United States, England and the rest of Europe. To identify an item as sterling silver, most manufacturers adopted the standard silver mark of 925. This indicates that the silver content of a piece is 92.5% – the mandatory amount for an item to claim to be sterling.

If you have a piece that you believe to be an authentic Christofle but it doesn’t contain the 925 stamp – or any other silver hallmark – you should be leery of both its silver content and its overall authenticity. While there are other tests that can help you determine if the item is actual sterling or is simply sterling plated, an antique dealer might be your best option to determine if you are really in possession of a Christofle antique.

Have Your Silver Examined By a Florida Silver Buyer

Do you believe that you might have a silver Christofle piece, but you’re not sure if it is authentic? The experienced Florida silver buyers at Antique Silver Buyers can help. Not only do we have experience identifying the hallmarks of Christofle items, but we can also tell you exactly how much your piece – or collection – might be worth. With a comprehensive market analysis, we’ll give you an idea about how much your antique would sell for at an auction. We’ll even purchase them (at a bid just below our market analysis) if you are interested in selling.