“Gold purity” actually means 9K, 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, 24K gold?

Posted on May 23, 2022September 8, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Identify & Research: What exactly does “gold purity” mean when it is rated 9K, 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, and 24K gold?

The fine glow and smooth metallic reflection of gold is both beautiful and valuable. Over the course of human history, it has been universally sought after and valued. It is used to make numerous objects of value, including jewelry, gold bars, coins, medals, flatware, and candlesticks, among others. Those objects have been treasured and handed down through the generations.

You may have found yourself in possession of some gold jewelry, medals, flatware or the like, bequeathed to you by a beloved family member. You may have come into some gold coins or gold bars. That being the case, you are probably wondering about the value of the gold. One of the most important factors in determining the value of 14K and 18K gold is its purity. In this article, we will discuss about gold purity by karat.

An explanation of gold purity

To begin with, we should clarify what gold purity means. It starts with pure gold. What is pure gold? Pure gold, not surprisingly, is 99.9% gold and it is not mixed with any other metals, which comes in the category of 24 karat gold.

Gold 24 karat means the highest level of purity. It is rare and very valuable. It is also rather soft. That means it is beautiful but note particularly durable enough to make jewelry with. That is why gold is usually mixed with other metals such as silver, zinc and copper when making jewelry.

Gold purity by karat

We have establish that gold 24 karat means the highest level purity but what are the other karat levels and what do they mean? Basically, the higher the karat level, the greater the percentage of gold. Karat is the unit used to measure how much gold there is relative to the amount of other metals that have been mixed in. We know that 24 karat (24k gold) means 99.9% gold.

The next karat level down is 22 karat, which is 91.6% gold & rest 9% other metals consistency. 22 karat (22k gold) is still too soft to be ideal for stone set jewelry, it is often used for plain gold jewelry, like wedding bands.

The next karat level down is 18 karat. 18 karat (18k gold) is 75% gold & 25% alloy metal. The gold is blended with other metal alloys for strength and color. Copper is used to make rose gold. White metals are used to make white gold.

The next karat level down is 14 karat gold. 14k gold purity only has 58.5% of gold & 41.7% of other alloy, it is more affordable.

Furthermore, 10K gold purity means 41.7% gold and 58.3% alloy and, this content can be used to make any type of jewelry.

Finally, there is 9K means just 37.5 % gold. This means it has a high percentage of other metals. It is stronger and much cheaper to buy & also not considered as gold.

Apart from these, excluding 24K cannot be used to make jewelry and rest other karats can be used for designing jewelry of any shape and sizes.

Moreover, if comparing 9k gold vs 14k in terms of gold consistency and maximum price, then you’ll find 14k competing with 9k. Because 14k contains more pure gold quantity than 9k.

Related Blog – What Do the 750, 585, and 417 Markings on Gold Jewelry Mean?

Testing for gold purity

How can you test your gold and determine what the karat level is? You can use a scratch test. This first thing that you need when you want to use a scratch test on your gold jewelry is a kit for a scratch test. The kit should contain a black slate stone similar to a knife sharpening stone, various bottles of acid solution, and instructions.

Meanwhile, there should be one bottle of solution to test platinum, one bottle of solution to test for silver, and several bottles of solutions to test for 22 karat gold, 18 karat gold, purity of 14 k gold and 10 karat gold purity too. Because you are working with acid, you will want to wear latex gloves.

Following the instructions, you will scratch the stone with your gold and use the acid solution to determine if your gold jewelry is 22k, 18k, 14k, or 9k. Now that you know about the purity of your gold, you will be in a much better position to know how valuable it is!

Household Silver: How to Oxidize Sterling Silver with 4 Simple Tricks

Posted on May 21, 2022April 10, 2024 by AntiqueSilver

Many people love the look of shiny sterling silver. The brightness of the metal is why many purchase these pieces. On the other hand, sometimes people want their silver to look more like an antique, especially if it’s jewelry. To get that look, you can oxidize your silver pieces. There are a few ways you can do this at home without damaging the items.

Check out our latest blog post on how to maintain and protect your oxidized silver jewelry.

Use Boiled Eggs

This might sound odd, but boiling eggs can also oxidize your silver. Put two eggs in some water and get the water boiling. After about ten minutes, take the eggs out and put them in a baggie. Squish them up until they’re in fairly small pieces. This releases sulfur, which will oxidize your antique silver items when you put them in the bag. Just leave the item in the bag for several hours—the longer it stays in contact with the eggs, the more oxidized it will get. When you like the color, remove the silver piece, wash it, and dry it thoroughly.

Use Liver of Sulfur

Liver of sulfur is a mix of a variety of different things, including potassium thiosulfate, potassium polysulfide, and potassium sulfide. You can purchase it as a gel and add a bit of it to hot water. Then simply drop your silver household items into it until it’s the color you want. Don’t leave the items in too long, though, or the oxidization can start to look spotty.

Use Luster Gel

Luster Gel is a fairly new product that’s actually designed to change how your silver pieces look. It can oxidize them, but it can also be used to change the silver to many other colors. Simply select the color you want (the gel comes in a variety of shades) and follow the directions.

Go to a Spa or Hot Spring

This may not be an option for everyone, but antique silver buyers might accidentally oxidize everything they’re wearing by going to a hot spring or a spa! The high sulfur content of these natural areas will evenly oxidize anything silver in just a few minutes!

How to invest in silver products: 3 smart ways to buy and sell it.

Posted on May 18, 2022February 15, 2024 by AntiqueSilver

Investing in silver coins or bars is the most innovative way to benefit for a longer time. But investing in such precious metals can also be a bit of a risk. In today’s generation, these precious metals have become an excellent alternative for investment, just like stocks and bonds.

Some investors view silver as a form of currency, while others see it as a hedge against inflation. The market value of silver is $21.73, having increased by up to +0.11.

Many silver buyers in local area tell me that there are few smart and effortless ways to deal with silver items. To configure these points, we should look up those points to apply when going for investment.

5 smart ways to buy and sell silver products

To invest in precious metals, try to figure it out and do proper research so that it will be easy for investors to invest in it, especially without worrying about any risks.

#1 Which type of silver product do you want to invest in?

There are many types of silver in the market which are produced in different shapes and sizes. All of them have different prices when bought or sold. Always remember, whenever you go for dealing, research the market price of silver. Many people buy their interests, but in this process, a smart strategy is also important to implement when needed.

Types of silver:

1. Silver Coins
2. Silver Bars
3. Bullion coins
4. Junk Silver

#2 What type of silver is best for investment?

As per the experts of silver buyers near me, dealing with bullion coins would be best. These bullion coins are produced for special purposes and minted by private mints. Silver dealers near me suggest buying and selling silver bullion coins as the best choice for investment and also for collecting.

The most in-demand silver bullion, which is trending and everyone is looking for.

1. Silver American Eagle
2. Canada Maple Leaf
3. Australian Philharmonic Orchestra
4. Britannia
5. Australian Kangaroo
6. Libertad Mexicana
7. South African Krugerrand

And among these, the Silver Maple Leaf is the best bullion coin to invest in. For information, US coins which were made before 1964 contain 90% of fine silver. So, whenever you’re going to invest, try to invest in antique coins that were made in the 19th and 18th centuries.

#3 Where should you buy and sell silver products for the best results?

When we search for options, we always have a choice which can lead us to a better outcome. While investing in such precious metals, we should be aware of such shops who buys and sell, because they can also scam you with their trickery mind. That’s why it is mandatory to conduct thorough research about places where you want to deal.
Keeping that in mind, let’s move ahead to learn about those places which can result in great profit for you.

# Internet stores

There are plenty of online buyers and sellers who run their websites for the people who are looking for such an investment. They carry a certificate and authentication of their loyalty and honesty, which makes them trusted and reputed in the eyes of their customers. Do proper research about them before you go for investment. This can lead you to opt for the best dealer for the service you’re looking for.

# Local Shops

There might be a few silver dealers near your area who deal with gold, platinum, silver, and every precious metal. These local silver shops keep every size of silver bar for sale as well as other products in their shop and sell them and also buy them from their customers for future investment. Consider your trusted dealer and reap the benefits of a great investment.

# Pawn stores

You can also consider coin shows or pawn shops which trade, negotiate, and also haggle for silver coin products. They consist of silver products like silver coins, bullion, silver junk, and 90% to 40% silver in their store and can provide you with what you’re looking to invest in. Here, you can buy products and get a good deal, as well as products under market value from groups who are pawning their things.

Note: You can also consider auction houses, social market places, and private sellers as options for selling or buying your needy silver products and receiving your worth amount from them.

Conclusion

When investing in silver coins, bars, and other products, consider these points before you go for a deal. I bet you’ll find these smart ways profitable and lead you towards better investment. Keep investing and be up to date about things which can give you numerous amount benefit and knowledge.

What Do the 750, 585, and 417 Markings on Gold Jewelry Mean?

Posted on May 12, 2022June 12, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

If you own any gold jewelry, you might notice that there’s a small number marked on it. Most people assume these numbers indicate the manufacturer or batch of jewelry, but they actually mean something completely different. Experienced gold buyers know exactly what these numbers mean, and they use this information when determining how much they will pay you for any jewelry you’re trying to sell them. Here’s a quick guide to these common gold markings.

A Measure of Gold Purity

These numbers indicate how pure the gold is. Pure gold is actually much too soft for jewelry and other items, plus it’s virtually impossible to get gold that has absolutely no impurities in it. That means gold traders and jewelers need some way of identifying just how pure the gold they’re purchasing is. The result of this need is the various markings you’ll find on gold estate jewelry and other items.

The formula used to determine these markings isn’t complicated, but it isn’t obvious to most customers. Gold is usually sold by the karat. Everyone knows that 24 karat or 24K gold is the highest form of gold you can get. It’s considered pure gold, though again, it’s not 100% pure. Instead, it’s .9999 fine.

To determine how fine your gold is, all you need to do is take the caratage and divide it by 24, the maximum number of karats gold can have. For example, if you have gold that’s 10K, take that and divide it by 24. You’ll get 0.416 with a repeating 6. Round that up to .417, and you’ll find a number you often see stamped on gold.

Common Markings

So if the 417 gold markings on your jewelry indicate 10 carats, what do the other common markings indicate?

8 karat gold – 333. It’s 33%, or about a third pure gold. Note that you won’t see this on jewelry made in the US, but if you have anything from Europe, you may notice this mark.
9 karat gold – 375. Likewise, you won’t find any US jewelry marked with 375, but you’ll see it on British items.
10 karat gold – 417 (sometimes marked as 416). All jewelry sold in the US must be at least 10 karats in order to be marketed as gold.
12 karat gold – 500. You won’t see much 12K jewelry since it tends to be fairly dull in color.
14 karat gold – 583 (sometimes marked as 585)
18 karat gold – 750
22 karat gold – 916 (sometimes marked as 917). Normally, 22K gold is too soft to use in much jewelry, but it’s often used for gold leaf or plating.
24 karat gold – 999. Again, 24K gold is too soft for jewelry.

Related – What does “gold purity” actually mean when rated 9K, 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, and 24K gold?

How to Use this Information

If you’ve been wondering, “What is 750 gold?” now you know. So, what can you do with this information? It’s really only useful if you’re selling gold jewelry. When you approach a antique gold buyer, knowing how pure your jewelry is will give you an idea of what type of offer you receive. If you get a low offer for something you know is 14 karat gold, you’ll know to turn it down.

Quick and Smart Ways to Get the Actual Prices for Antique Sterling Silverware

Posted on March 24, 2022January 30, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

The discovery of alluring metal, silver was discovered in 5000 B.C which has become the most demanding metal in market. If you have silver items and decide to sell, there are lots of people who are willing to buy. But how many are willing to pay the right price? In fact, do you really know the actual value of your antique silver plated trays?

If you want to know about the real worth of your silvery items. You should always go for appraisal session. In appraisal, experts inform you about the history, condition, and silver tea set value.

It is normal not to know the actual price for what you have and we will try to provide the right information to gain a fresh knowledge.

Know the Difference between By-Weight Price and Actual Price

When it comes to silver items, prices can be discussed from two perspectives and you should never let this confuse you. Some unscrupulous silver buyers near you may want to buy items at the by-weight price. This represents how much consistency of silver in your flatware is worth. In this process objects are measured in terms of ounces. While the price from the by-weight process can can be much less than the true price of your silver flatware set.

The other important factor for finding actual price is appraisal session. Through appraisal, it is easy to know that the piece are measured on such factors as their age, who made them, condition, and the sort of craftsmanship showcased. What you have is rare and has high demand, it can fetch you far more than what you will get in by-weight prices.

How Do You Determine The Actual Value?

Determining the actual prices for your silver trays will require meaningful research. Firstly, you need to establish that your tray is of sterling silver or not. Next, you need to find out when it was made and who made it. Afterwards, check how rare or popular the tray is and the demand for it. Use what people have paid for similar antique trays as price benchmark.
If still you are confused and not able to find relevant information then, visit an appraiser who will help you with your raised questions. We can help you appraise your silverware and give you every information you need to know about your Tiffany silver flatware.

Selling Sterling Silver Flatware To The Trusted Antique Silver Dealers

Sell silverware online or near by your vicinity, antique silver buyers are likely to pay more for your silver trays than regular individual buyers. But, before going for the sale, you should always confirm the trustworthiness and honesty of the dealers. This research will help you find trusted buyers easily.
While reaching out to dealers, consider these major qualities:

An antique buyer should have experience in the dealing industry.
They should have a reputable identity online as well as offline.
They should also pay well (real worth) for the silver items that you are looking to sell.

Is Antique Silver A Good Acquisition? Know from the Antique Silver Experts

Posted on March 7, 2022January 30, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

There are people who love decorating their homes with antique items, and also there are few people who are looking for selling them. Do you like to deck up your home with antique silver items or want to sell them? You want to sell silver tea set, but you do not know the right place to sale.

Put a halt to your search for a while and have a quick glance of our site. We can help you with your items. We are one of the trusted antique silver buyers in Florida & also we offer worthy price of your vintage pieces.

We have been into dealing items of various antique, vintage & estate silver items since last many years. Like all other valuable metals, silver has always been one of the pricey metals whose value never seems to get decreased.

Sellers can expect to get best price when they sell silver items to us. Selling sterling silver flatware & finding silver buyers near me is not hard. When you search for the same, then your eyes will catch of our online site at first.

How to Choose Silver Buyers Near Me In Florida?

People hesitate to sell their precious items from stores or online. The reason of hesitation is that they think they will not get the worthy price for their item & will be fooled by getting less price. We are the trusted collector of silver items in Florida.

We are not only known as one of the reliable antique silver buyers, but also, we are one of the largest sterling silver buyers in Florida.

In the age of internet, selling silverware online is not a tough task. Many trusted dealers are present in online world and are looking for you to sell your precious items.

One of The Eminent Sterling Silver Buyers

If you wish to know your silver flatware value, then you have come to the right place. Get a look into our website and know about our service & much more. A large number of people sell sterling silver pieces to us and are happy with the cashback we have offered them for their ancient precious item.

Buying the finest antique silver items and sterling silver items from one of the well-known sterling silver buyers will turn out to be profitable for you.

We are reckoned as one of the acclaimed sterling silver buyers. Hence, you can be assured of dealing genuine quality silver flatware set from our online store. Also, the collection of each sterling silver item you will find in our store- The Silver Queen will mesmerize you. Here, you can see the collection and choose your favorite and decorate your home or yourself.

Get Fair Price for Your Antique Silver Items

We offer fair price for the exquisite Tiffany silver flatware such as silver tea sets, trays, bowls, other silverware you want sell to us. We offer good price for the marvelous old silvery pieces as compared to other antique silver buyers.

We offer appropriate value for the items, looking on the craftsmanship, age and the quality of the pieces through appraisal session. Get your money’s worth by selling the fascinating antique silver materials to us.

Substitute the premier antique silver items of your home with our one-of-a-kind silver items. Get in touch with one of the professional antique silver buyers in Florida now.

A Brief Look Into The Elegant World Of Antique Silverware Collectibles

Posted on March 4, 2022July 27, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Last time, we discussed the history and significance of antique silver tea sets. As I previously stated, and as we all know, antique things are exquisitely constructed and designed by skilled artisans. These intricate pieces are the great inspiration of historical artworks, which can never be matched with the modern world.

We’re talking about silverware, which is meticulously engraved to create stunning designs on the surface of silvery tea sets. Let’s take a look at some examples of silvery tea sets that may be purchased or sold.

What is the Best Place to Sell Sterling Silver Flatware for a nice profit?

Antique and modern sterling silver tea sets for sale or flatware’s can be found in a number of ways. For the modern shopper, online auction houses like ebay, Live auctioneers & many more which can be an excellent resource.

At eBay, you can find many trusted dealers who deal with every kind of antique, vintage, and estate sterling silverware. Additionally, you can expect a seamless selling experience and get the expected amount when selling sterling silver flatware online.

If you are looking for a dealer in your area or want to directly contact dealers online, there is also the Silver Queen website, which is the top-most dealer in Florida. Here, you can sell and also buy sterling silver items. I’ve always preferred visiting local antique shops and digging for secret treasures.

What is the current market value of selling or buying silverware?

I’m often asked by my friends, “What should I expect to pay for this or that?” or, “What is the current silver tea set value ?” These questions makes me smile a bit because there are countless things to consider -I’ve outlined some of them here – but I also understand my friends confusion and concerns.

The truth is, a silver tray can range anywhere from $35 to $80,000 & also the market value(shopping) of silver per ounce is $24.49. Apart from these, A silver buyer can readily pay $800 to $1,200 for a standard 32-piece sterling silver flatware set.

It really comes down to a few simple questions: Are you looking for something highly collectible or just something you would enjoy having in your home? And the other question is, how much are you willing to spend? There is really no difficulty in finding these answers if you have proper knowledge of market value of silver and gold items.

Learn about one of the most beautiful historical silverware set- Salver Tray

An Etruscan black pottery tray(Salver tray) from the 7th or 6th century B.C.E. is the earliest example of a tray that we have been able to date (Pre-Roman times). The Etruscan tray may not be the oldest in existence, but it does imply that the existence of a tray is centuries old, having existed millennia before becoming widespread in aristocratic and rich crafting..

Many different styles of design and decoration have emerged over the years, from the simple salver and the handled tray are lined with beautifully crafted brims are the simplicity of the modern era. If you have one and want to sell it, you can easily contact us and get profitable amount also appraisal of the items.

Sell Your Silver Flatware Set to the Trusted Buyers Near You

There are many expert antique dealers in your area who will be more than happy to take the time to walk you through what they have in their collection and, hopefully, have some very interesting stories to tell you about it’s history, condition & worth.

Silver Marking & Symbols : DIY Tips on Deciphering Marks on Silverware

Posted on March 2, 2022March 21, 2024 by AntiqueSilver

Fine silver, both antique and modern, is truly a work of art. Crafted to be durable and beautiful, it is designed by silversmiths to stand the test of time. It has often been handed down through generations of family members. It is used for special occasions and becomes imprinted with the memories of holidays and time with family and friends. Along with sentimental value, it also holds real value that is based on factors such as the quality of the silver and the identity of the silversmith who manufactured the silverware.

If you are in possession of fine silverware, you may be wondering about its value. If you are interested in selling the silverware, the first step is to determine its value. While wondering what the silverware is worth, you may have looked at it and noticed that it has silver marking symbols on it and wondered what they are and what they mean. These silver stamp symbols tell a story and you can learn to read them. In this article. We will give you some DIY tips for deciphering the marks on silverware.

Silver marking symbols: sterling silver quality

The first thing you should know about Sterling silver it is alloy. An alloy is a mixture of different metals. In the case of Sterling silver, it has a base of silver, usually around 92.5% silver. Then the remaining 7.5% of the Sterling silver can be a combination of other metals. Silver marking symbols contain a number that tells you the purity of the silver. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver so the marking will be 925. This will be an indication that it is genuine sterling silver.

Silver hallmark symbols: where the silverware comes from

While knowing the purity of the silver helps determine if it is sterling silver, there are a number of other factors that determine the value of silverware. One of the most important factors is the maker. Silversmiths always place their silver marking symbol on their fine silver as a way show the maker. This means that you can learn to read silver stamp symbols you see on silverware and know who made it.

To begin with, silversmiths and silver companies typically include their names or initials in their silver symbols. For example, one of the most famous silversmiths in history is Paul Revere. He marked some of the silverware he made with his initials- PR. Tiffany & Co is part of the silver hallmark symbols for the famous company. With a name right there, you can do some research and get more information about the silversmith.

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my: unique silver marks

Names are not the only silver stamp symbols that tell you who made your silverware. Silversmiths often engrave symbols to show that they made a piece of flatware. For example, the company Reed & Barton uses a symbol of an eagle over a globe above their name. The German silversmith Berndorf Metalwork Factory (BMF) uses a bear. One very useful tool for identifying a symbol is the Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks, and Maker’s Marks, found at www.925-1000.com.

It should also be noted that these silver marks can be indication of when your silverware is made. This also can affect the value of the silverware. Sometime you might find a year and sometimes a symbol might indicate the year a piece was made. For example, Reed & Barton used an hourglass silver mark in 1953. If you see that next to the name then you know the year it was made. If you have silverware that you would like help identifying and selling, contact us today at antiquesilver.org.

What is Sterling Silver? How to Identify Sterling Silver?

Posted on February 11, 2022February 18, 2022 by AntiqueSilver

Sterling silver is among the most beautiful metals. It has a cool metallic sheen and reflective properties that catch the light in a lovely way. It is a small wonder that sterling silver has been used in fine jewelry, precious family silverware, elegant serving trays, vases, and other decorative accents. There many fine examples of antique sterling silver out there, some of which have been passed down in families for generations. Of course, there is also a great number of items out there that pass for sterling silver. If you have recently inherited some silver or are considering purchasing some silver, you may be wondering if it is genuine sterling silver. In this article, we will explore the questions, “what is sterling silver,” and, “how to identify sterling silver”. Determining if an item is genuine sterling silver is key to determining its value.

What is sterling silver?

The first thing you need to know is that sterling silver is different than pure silver. If something is advertised as pure silver that means it has 99% silver in it, as pure as you can get because 100% silver with no impurities doesn’t exist. The thing is, pure silver is extremely soft and malleable. It is too soft and that is where sterling silver comes in. Sterling silver is a silver alloy that is made by mixing pure silver with another metal, usually, copper, thought zinc, and nickel are sometimes used.

Sterling silver is usually 92.5% pure silver with 7.5% of the mixture being copper or another metal. Sterling silver is also sometimes coated with pure silver, but should still be labeled as sterling silver. Also, if something is labeled as sterling silver plated that means that the item is made of another metal such a copper or nickel and simply coated with a layer of sterling silver. This layer wears away over time.

How to Identify Sterling Silver?

The first thing to look for is sterling silver markings. If you are looking at an item and think it is sterling silver check for a mark of the manufacturer or silversmith. It indicates the purity of the silver and sometimes identifies the maker and date of manufacture. International sellers will stamp silver as 925, 900, or 800 to indicate the purity level of the sterling silver. Sterling silver has a purity level of 92.5% or higher.

There are several other tests you can perform to determine if an item is sterling silver. Most precious metals, including silver, are nonmagnetic. If you use a magnet on pure silver it exhibits only weak magnetic effects. Other metals, such as iron, copper, nickel, or zinc, are magnetic. If a magnet is strongly attracted to and sticks to an item then it is not high enough in silver to be sterling. Silver is also odorless. If you smell a scent of sulfur or a distinct metallic scent, then the item is not high in silver.

You can do some surface testing of the item to determine if it is sterling silver. Silver oxidizes and tarnishes. It requires polishing on a regular basis. If you do the polish test and polish the item with a white cloth, it will probably leave a black residue on the cloth if it is sterling silver. Lack of oxidation or rust could indicate the item is made from a different metal than silver. You can also do a scratch test and see if the item has flakes of silver plating that come off and reveal a different metal underneath. Also, if you take flakes of the item and put them in acid, the acid’s color will stay the same if it is silver. Lastly, silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any metal or alloy. If you take an ice cube and place it on the item it will melt faster than normal if the item is sterling silver. Using these techniques will give you high confidence that the item in question is genuine sterling silver.