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

Posted on December 15, 2024September 1, 2025 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.

A Guide to Help You Evaluate Antique Sterling Silver Flatware

Posted on August 26, 2024August 26, 2024 by AntiqueSilver

Antique silver flatware is one of the most popular collectible antiques in the world. Due to the popularity of antique silver flatware for sale, it can be difficult for non-informed antique silver flatware buyers to properly evaluate the value of their antique sterling silver flatware. The following is an essential guide that will help antique silver flatware buyers and sellers determine the value of their sterling silver flatware. Explore our sterling silver flatware value guide for expert insights!

Step One: Is It Authentic Sterling Silver?

The first thing you need to evaluate is the type of silver used on the item. There are two types of silver that you will find on antique flatware: silver plate and sterling silver. Silver plate was made with a silver coating on top of a different base metal; this method was typically used to provide a silver appearance at a lower cost. Sterling silver is silver branded with the Sterling stamp; the Sterling stamp is a guarantee that the silver is either completely pure or made with .925 silver and .075 added copper.

In the United States, Sterling is easy to identify via the stamps which were present on all Sterling flatware made after 1850: this includes “Sterling,” “.925” and “925/100.” If your silver piece does not have any of these marks, then it is either very old (prior to 1850) or it is fake.

Step Two: Identify the Manufacturer and Pattern

If you already know the manufacturer, you will likely be able to find the pattern used for the silver piece fairly easily by searching for the manufacturer, date and general description of the object. If you don’t yet know the manufacturer, you will need to look for hallmark stamps that can indicate which company produced the antique sterling silver flatware in your passions.

Once you have identified the manufacturer, it’s time to begin looking for the silver flatware pattern. The pattern, like the manufacturer, can have a significant impact on the ultimate value of your item.

Step Three: Assess the Condition

The value of your antique sterling silver flatware can also be influenced by the condition of the flatware in question. If the silver has lots of scratches, dings or various types of discoloration, then the ultimately value is likely to be lower than silver flatware which is in more pristine condition. If the silver is relatively pristine, considering its age, then the value will be higher than scratched and ding-up flatware. And don’t forget about the condition of accessories such as footwear, socks, and other small yet crucial details.

Final Thoughts

You may not be able to tell the exact value of your sterling silver object (or objects) without outside assistance—in other words, an appraisal of some kind that will provide a more definite guideline for what you should be charging for your final thoughts. In cases where you are having trouble identifying hallmarks and other characteristics which can help define and value your antique silver flatware, consult with local dealers about options for identification and assessment. Ensure you get the most accurate value of sterling silver flatware with professional guidance.

What is the Difference Between Silver and White Gold?

Posted on April 3, 2024April 19, 2024 by AntiqueSilver

Although sterling silver may look just like white gold, the truth of the matter is that there is a crucial and distinct difference between the two precious metals. If you were wondering why white gold is sold for more than silver—even though they look pretty much the same—read on.

White gold behaves differently than silver does

For one thing, silver tends to be harder than white gold. This means that, while they may look the same, the silver is more difficult to use when a jeweler is making precision engravings. Frequently rings, brooches, and other items of jewelry are crafted with names or messages engraved inside them. It is difficult for jewelers to pull this off with silver, so they turn to white gold.

In addition, silver, as you know, can tarnish over time. If you look at a piece made from antique sterling silver, you can easily see the need for polishing to remove the tarnish. On the other hand, gold does not tarnish. So, for a piece of jewelry that will never need to be polished, white gold is the metal of choice.

White gold and silver are composed of different elements

While this might seem so obvious as to not even need noting, the fact of the matter is that white gold is composed primarily of, well, gold. Gold is inherently more costly than silver.

What we call white gold is actually a mixture of gold and other metals. Because the core element is gold, by extension it makes sense that white gold would be more costly than silver.

White gold is very easy on the skin. Some people tend to have a reaction when wearing jewelry made out of anything other than gold. While white gold is not pure gold, it is composed of a large enough percentage of gold to make it usable by people such as this. Further, while some people may experience some skin discoloration from silver (or other) jewelry, white gold will leave no such discoloration. Because of this, white gold is ideal for use by people with sensitive skin or allergies to some other types of metals.

Should you choose silver or white gold?

So then, which one is better? The answer is that it depends. Silver does have some applications where it would be preferred. Remember, silver tends to be harder than gold, so it holds up better to the wear and tear of everyday use. On the other hand, because white gold is composed of gold, it is more costly and has the positive attributes of regular gold.

If you are in the market to purchase jewelry, the determination of whether you want silver or white gold will really depend on your personal needs. If you tend to have sensitive skin, it’s a no-brainer that you would choose white gold. Likewise, if you are not very thrilled about having to polish your jewelry, it’s best to steer clear of silver.

Antique Silverware Appraisal Near Me: Know What’s the Current price of Silver Flatware

Posted on March 27, 2024April 19, 2024 by AntiqueSilver

If you’ve inherited a set of sterling silver flatware, you may be interested in knowing what its current market value is. While prices do vary from set to set and region to region, there is some basic information you can use to determine how much your silver flatware is worth. Remember, though, that there is a difference between the actual market value of a set of flatware and what someone is willing to pay for it. In some cases, you may be able to get more money for a set of flatware, but in other cases, you may have to take less if you want to quickly sell it.

Sentimental Verses Actual Value

Sadly, antique silver flatware patterns are only worth sentimental value. This means that the silver isn’t sterling, nor is it plated. Instead, the silver layer is incredibly thin and not really worth much of anything. That’s why it’s important to look over all of the silver pieces you have for marks that indicate how pure the silver is. You want to find numbers indicating that your silver is at least 92.5% pure, which is the minimum amount required for it to be classified as silver. You also want to make sure it’s not silver plated. Modern silver pieces use very thin layers of silver, so they aren’t actually worth that much.

Determining the Price of Your Collection

In order to determine what your pieces would be worth to silver flatware collectors, you can do a few different things. The first is to try to determine what silver pattern you have and when your silver was made. Silver flatware was first made during the 12th century in England. If you can find silver marks that indicate your flatware was made during this time, you definitely have something special. In this case, collectors and even museums may be interested in purchasing your collection.

Many other silver sets and items were made during the mid-1800s. During this time, the Industrial Revolution was responsible for an economic boom. Many families wanted to show off their fortunate, so they purchased sets of silver. This led to more silver companies producing various beautiful, ornate pieces. However, it wasn’t long after that the Great Depression brought the silver trade to a halt. You’ll find that the antique flatware worth of later sets isn’t as much since it was mostly covered in silver plating so as to be more affordable.

Check Prices and Get an Appraisal

Once you’ve determined when your silver was made, you can look online to see what similar pieces or collections have sold for. This will give you a ballpark idea about what you can get for your set. Some silver sets are sound per piece (indicated by pp by the price), while complete sets may actually be sold as one lot.

Another way of learning the current market value of your pieces is to take them to an appraiser. These experts will be able to give you a good idea of what your personal silver flatware is worth. They will take into account any damage or missing pieces your set may have in order to give you the most accurate estimate.

How to Spot the Most Valuable Christofle Silver Marks?

Posted on February 6, 2024March 21, 2024 by AntiqueSilver

We all know that silver is one of the sophisticated and expensive metals. Owing to the craftsmanship and beautiful designs, silver items hold a special place in people’s residences. Silver not only holds a great value, but also it has a touch of sophistication. In the earlier days, people used to collect antique silver pieces to elevate the appearance of their homes. In the present days, it has been a trend of using silverwares for daily use and in special occasions as well. Are you fond of using silver items? Do you use Christofle silver items?

The Christofle silver items mark a touch of elegance. It is one of the pricey silverwares which you might have saved it for special occasions. Do the Christofle silver items have Christofle sterling silver marks? Christofle introduced high-quality silver items which will exude luxury and will also be affordable to you. Before you use the Christofle silverwares and other silver accessories for your home, you should be ascertaining that you are using authentic Christofle silver pieces. We are the trusted dealer of antique silver items in Florida. We will help you know how to spot the authentic Christofle silver with the help of Christofle silver marks.

Identify the Silver Pieces by Way of Christofle sterling silver marks

Christofle is one of the prominent silver designers who has designed innovative silver flatware pieces, crystal vases, silver picture frames, hollowware and porcelain dinnerware. The silver items of Christofle have been highly appreciated worldwide. How will the buyers know that they are using silver items of Christofle? In order to mark authenticity in the silver pieces, Christofle silver marks have been used. You will come to know you are using original silver pieces of Christofle when you will see the Christofle sterling silver marks in the silver pieces. In the following lines, you will get an idea on how to read silver hallmarks.

How to Read Silver Hallmarks?

Using silverware of Christofle is a matter of pride. While purchasing Christofle silverware, you should make sure that you are purchasing original products of Christofle. By reading the silver hallmarks, you will be able to make the difference between authentic and fake silverware. If you are thinking how to read silver hallmarks, then you should glance through the lines mentioned below.

Charles Christofle has used various types of markings on his silverware pieces since the early 1800s. People have come across many types of Christofle silver marks which kept changing with the passage of time. If you had used the silverware of the past years, then you might have noticed ‘GC’or ‘CC’ mark along with a scale in the middle portion. As years passed by, the word ‘Gallia’ was inscribed on the silver pieces. The Christofle sterling silver marks contain a number such as ‘925’ which is embossed on the piece of every silverware. The number implies that 92.5% silver has been used in the Christofle silver items. If you see ‘800’ on a silver piece, then you should know that the silverware is a plated piece instead of sterling silver.

Next time when you purchase Christofle silver items, you will keep the hallmark signs in mind as you know now how to read silver hallmarks. Use the best designed and original silver pieces which have Christofle silver marks from us.

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.

Silver Appraisal: Know the Current Market Value of Your Silver

Posted on August 17, 2023September 20, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

If you have silver, it is important that you know exactly what it is worth. This is especially important if you are contemplating selling the item. There are silver flatware collectors that will buy your item if you are willing to sell but you need to establish the true value of what you have.

First, know the type of silver you have

Sterling silver flatware are made of real silver unlike silverplate that are metals coated with silver to look like the main thing. Your first step is to establish that the item you have is sterling silver. In the United States, for instance, every silver created after 1850 is stamped with one of these three marks:

Sterling
.925
925/1000

Unless the silver was made before 1850, you will see one of these stamps. If you find the stamp, you are a step closer to knowing the current value of your silver.

Finding the Value of Antique Silver

Once you are certain you have a real silver, it is time to know your antique flatware worth. An expert will be needed to ascertain the actual worth but you can make some progress on your own.

Antique silver flatware patterns are necessary to get the significant information that can let you determine the current worth of the silver or make an estimation that is close to the actual value. You will also need to find out the manufacturers of the silver. Asides from the sterling stamp, silver items have hallmarks that you can use to know the manufacturer and other important information like the date it was produced.

When you know the pattern and the manufacturer of the silver, you can check the retail price for replacement pieces online; you can also get detailed information about the age and value of your silver from most of these sites.

There are several websites with resources that can help you figure out the current market value of your silver. You can also use antique appraisers and dealers to help you with it but make sure whoever you are dealing with is reputable.