Category Archives: Antique silver

repousse sterling silver Baltimore Repousse silver items

Repousse Sterling Silver

Posted on by

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 silver items

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.

jenkins and jenkins silver stamp

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 Markings

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

Posted on by

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

stamp on a common vase

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?

stamp on a spoon

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 Tell Real Fake Silver

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

Posted on by

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

4_Quick_Ways_To_Tell_Real_Fake_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.

Sterling Silver Marking

Silver Appraisal: Know the Current Market Value of Your Silver

Posted on by

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.

Get your FREE verbal, no obligation appraisal!

Get Started!
Valuation of Antique Sterling Silver Flatware

Guide to Identifying Silver Flatware Marks: Everything You Need to Know

Posted on by

Sterling silver flatware is one of the most commonly collected items due to the vast availability arising from the Renaissance time period and sets being handed down from generation to generation. For hundreds of years earlier during the Middle Ages,the way people ate was not as important as finding the food to eat. After trade began to open back up and the arts and sciences were rebirthed, utensils for eating became a part of the revitalized culture.

Flatware was a canvas for artistic expression and a way to show off new found wealth. Over the years, new designs were breathed with creative inspiration and distributed across the world into almost every home. The peak period of sterling silver flatware was between the years of 1840 through 1940, yet the tradition of gifting flatware is still customary today.

The Artistic Nature of Sterling Silver Flatware

Silversmiths identified their work by marking each piece with their maker’s mark. As their reputations swelled we are well acquainted with some of them today:

Lenox Gorham
Reed and Barton
Tiffany & Co
Whiting

And then there are the names of the silversmith legends that are known for not only producing some of the finest silver pieces; their marks set the standard for collectors all around the world:

Paul de Lamerie
Hester Bateman
Paul Storr

silver flatware stamp

Valuation of Antique Sterling Silver Flatware Marks

In addition to Makers’ marks, there are many other marks that tell the story of each piece or set of flatware and help to determine its worth much like art is today. Many of the famous names in sterling silver craftsmanship established their own firms to continue on their legacies. Complete sets from one of these firms may bring more at auction or individual, highly sought after pieces handcrafted from Gorham himself may bring the higher dollar value.

It all depends on the makers’ marks in addition to marks that are rarer than others. Some marks were only used for a short period of time. As a result, there are fewer pieces in circulation. Some pieces were also stamped with a duty mark to show taxes were paid on the piece, as silver pieces were seen as minted currency throughout much of history and subject to taxation. Pieces stamped more than once are considered rarer and hold more value.

Valuation of Antique Sterling Silver Flatware

Other factors include pieces that no longer have a place in our society such as a fork specifically for nuts or a stuffing spoon. With some sets containing hundreds of pieces compared to our modern 20 piece sets, it is hard to imagine what all the pieces were used for yet to a collector, each piece is significant.

The display of marks on sterling silver flatware can be as diverse as the designs themselves and include much more information than just who made it. It takes a devoted professional to identify and valuate each piece or set. If you have any flatware you would want to know more about, we are always happy to take a look and let you know if your items are worth appraising.

Sterling Silver Candlesticks

How do I identify the value of antique silver candlesticks?

Posted on by

Antique silver candlesticks are outstanding and charming home decor antiquities. We people love their design and style, which always makes us hunt for such precious metal items. To deal with 925 sterling silver candlesticks, there are a few factors that need reflection in order to know the right value, either to sell or purchase.

If you’re a passionate antique lover and searching for the real value of your inherited candle holder, scroll down to learn how to determine the price of old silver candlesticks and other facts about the piece.

Sterling Silver Candlesticks

Different Types Of Antique Sterling Silver Candlesticks

  • Candelabras

It is a several-branched type of candlestick with multiple lights. It is especially used for chandeliers.

  • Chambersticks

Commonly used in the 18th and 19th centuries and decorated with intricate designs and embellishments, with a cone-shaped tool used to hold the wax.

  • Fairy Lamps

Historically dated back to 135 years. It is a small, beautiful, magical glass lamp that is manufactured in multiple alluring colors.

  • Taper candlestick holder

Taper candle holders are typically made of metal, wood, brass, or glass, with 10%–20% silver. They come in a variety of shapes and styles to suit different tastes and decor styles.

How do I recognize the price of old silver candlesticks?

Sterling Silver Candlesticks

An antique silver appraiser can help you find the real value of ancient silver candle holders. There are a few factors that enable an appraiser to evaluate the price. So, if you’re willing to uncover the topic, you can visit an antique silver store where you can get your piece evaluated.

On the other hand, the following are the traits that, when in favor, can exceed the sterling silver candlestick’s value and make you a fortunate being.

1. Material

The first and foremost thing that is looked after is the material used in making candle holders. If the materials are highly precious metals or other objects with hallmarks, then the item’s value gets exorbitant.

Generation

This means the age; it’s the crucial part of determining the price of any antique. The age defines the historical presence of the candle sticks and are many decades old. Then, you’re very lucky to get the sky-high value.

Provenance

The place of manufacturing matters a lot in the evaluation process. It confirms the reality that the product was made and has historical evidence.

Quality

The condition has an important role in appraisal. How? If the item is broken or damaged, eventually its price will decrease. And if the candlesticks are in perfect condition, then you have a good chance.

Manufacturer

Last but not least, craftsmanship, the previous owner, or the brand If the silver candelbras are made by a big brand or their precious owner is a reputed person who is elite, their price gets doubled or tripled. If you possess a Tiffany sterling silver candlestick, you have a great chance to reap the benefits of your luxurious chambersticks.

So, this was the complete silver candle holder price guide that’s going to help you whenever you feel confused or you can be attentive to whether your hired silver buyer is covering these factors in the evaluation process.

Who appraises silver candlesticks near me in Florida or online?

We at Antique Silver Buyers buy and appraise precious metal fairy lamps and other home decor items at the best price. If you have antique silver candlesticks for sale, come to us or contact us online through our website to follow the effortless process to get in touch with us for a free online appraisal.

Pawn Shops Near Me That Buy Antiques at the Top Price

Posted on by

If you’re looking to sell your antique silver and want to ensure that you receive the top price for your valuable items, look no further than Antique Silver Buyers. Located in Largo, Florida, a trusted destination for antique silver, At “Antique Silver Buyers”, we understand the value and significance of antique silver pieces. Our team of experienced appraisers specializes in assessing the worth of silver items, including antique flatware, tea sets, trays, candlesticks, and more.

 

Where are the best places to sell antiques

 

An antique can represent different things to different people. It might represent a piece of history that has been preserved to continue to be appreciated in the present. It might have a great deal of sentimental value and represent family history and departed loved ones. A fine antique can be seen a thing of artistic beauty that will enhance the décor of a room. It might be simply a valuable item that can be sold for money. That last one is often the crucial one when you need to sell an antique. Where are the best places to sell antiques? We will explore that in this article.

 

Use the Internet to Find Local Antique Buyers

Use the Internet to Find Local Antique Buyers

One of the first and most obvious tools for finding antique dealers in today’s digital age is the Internet. A simple search will enable you to cast a net that will capture results showing a wide range of local antique buyers near you. In fact, depending on where you live, you may feel a little overwhelmed by how many search results you receive. You can begin to research the various stores and individual buyers who pop up in your search engine results to find someone who might be the right buyer for your family heirloom. If you do receive a lot of result it can also be helpful to narrow them down by focusing on the type of antique you are selling. Some buyers who are interested in early American artwork might not be interested in World War II memorabilia and vice versa. At Antique Silver Buyers, we specialize in buying antique flatware, Bowls, Juliet Cups, Trays and other antiques. We can also help you find local antique buyers.

 

Consult an Expert

Consult an Expert

When people have antiques that they want to sell they often ask, “Where can I sell my antiques?” This means that the first step in selling an antique is usually getting an appraisal from an expert to determine the item’s value. Guess what? When you have the appraisal done you can ask the expert if they are away of any local antique buyers who might be interested in your piece. At Antique Silver Buyers, we offer expert appraisals and advice on how to sell your antique at the highest price.

Know the Value of Your Antiques.

 

Know the Value of Your Antiques.

Whether you are selling just a couple of antiques that you inherited from you grandmother or you are serious about selling antiques as a small business, you should be aware of how the value of your antiques is determined. Professional antique buyers will consider a number of factors when determining value. These factors include the condition of the item, whether it has been restored, whether it bears a manufacturer’s mark, the provenance, how rare it is, and (perhaps above all) how much demand there is for the item among antique buyers. At Antique Silver Buyers, we have the knowledge and expertise to accurately appraise the value of your antique and help you sell it for the highest price.

 

Look for Local Antique Buyers in All the Right Places

Customer experience matters the most!

When getting the best price for your antique is your goal it is often best to find buyers in unusual places. You can Google, “antique buyers near me,” but that won’t always get you the buyer who will offer the best price. There are places online like Craig’s List, eBay, and Etsy where you might get a great offer. There are auction houses and estate buyers who are on the hunt for fine antiques and willing to pay top price. Professional home designers and decorators are also always looking for the right antique piece. You can find a local antique buyer in places you might not expect! At Antique Silver Buyers, we know where to find these buyers and we can help you find the best places to sell antiques and get the best price. Contact us today to get started.

Get your FREE verbal, no obligation appraisal!

Get Started!
German-Silver

What is German silver? Discover its interesting facts

Posted on by

Is it a type of silver? Is it a better choice than real silver? Does its origin lie in Germany? Too many questions are in your mind. Right? Those who have heard about it must be well aware of its pros and cons. But for those who are not aware of the term, this article is for you.

Here you’ll find something new to uncover. German silver has become the hottest trend, and people are demanding items made from such alloyed metal. So, the important question that arises here is: what exactly is it? What do you need to know about it?

Let’s take an overview to shed light on our topic today…

German-Silver

A complete guide on German silver and its uses

German silver, also known as nickel silver and alpaca. It is a silver-white alloy made of 60% copper, 20% zinc, and 20% nickel. Despite its name, there’s no composition of silver precious metal. It is called silver due to its color and shiny appearance, which resembles that of silver.

What are the uses of german silver?

Alpaca is a durable and corrosion-resistant metal that has been used for various purposes, including in the manufacture of silverware, musical instruments, and most important jewelry. It is also commonly used in the production of mechanical and electrical components due to its excellent conductivity and strength. In addition, german are marked with crown and crescent with 800 marking.

If talking about its uses in jewelry-making, women usually love to keep collection of necklace, earrings, pendants, bracelets, rings, so on due to its affordability. To make it more tempting, such jewelries are also carved and embedded with precious and semi precious gemstones.

Nickel silver is widely available and relatively inexpensive compared to other metals. However, it can tarnish over time, and its nickel content can cause allergic reactions in some people.

History of German silver

The history of nickel silver dates back to the 18th century, when it was first developed in Germany by a metalworker named E.A. Geitner. Geitner discovered that by adding nickel to copper and zinc, he could create a metal alloy that resembled silver in appearance but was much more durable and affordable.

It was used to produce a wide range of objects, including tableware, jewelry, and coins. The metal also found use in the production of musical instruments such as horns and bells, due to its corrosion-resistant quality.

By the mid-19th century, alpaca had become widely used in industrial manufacturing. Its excellent electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion made it an ideal material for electrical wiring, switches, and other components. It was also used in the production of machinery parts, due to its strength and durability.

Today, German silver is still used in a variety of applications, including the production of coins, medals, flatware, cutlery, and decorative objects. Its affordability, strength, and versatility continue to make it a popular choice for many industries.

How to identify german silver?

You can get in touch with us for a free silver appraisal, in which our expert appraiser can make it easier for you to identify whether your flatware or jewelry is pure silver, sterling silver, or alpaca. Contact us now!

antique mould

Secrets About Silver That Appraisers Don’t Want You to Know

Posted on by

Learn the secrets of silver appraisal that experts don’t want you to know. Our comprehensive guide illuminates the complexities of valuing silver items, including the factors that influence their value and how to identify genuine pieces. We cover everything you need to know about antique silver appraisal, from hallmarks to patina. Our team of expert appraisers provides valuable insights and tips on how to maximize the value of your silver collection.

Taking your silver in to be appraised requires some homework on your part if you want to get the best price. Here are some secrets of the trade that many silver appraisers won’t tell you.

While they may look the same, there is a difference between sterling silver, Britannia silver, and other types. Most silver utensils and other things for use around the house as well as jewelry are not pure silver. In fact, pure silver usually only comes in bars and is used in international trading or investing.

The reason pure silver is not used to create household items is because pure silver is soft enough that it would bend easily and quickly lose its ability to be used for anything. To strengthen it, the silver is mixed with other metals such as copper. The allows the metal to be shaped and gives it the strength to hold its shape during use.

The purity of the alloy varies, and as you can probably imagine, the purer the form of silver, the more it is worth. If you take some Britannia silver in – not knowing that it is Britannia – The appraiser may give you a price for sterling silver.

Silver plated pieces have value, too

If an appraiser tells you that your piece is only worth a few dollars because it is plated and not solid, you should get another opinion. The value of a given piece comes from a few factors, and one of them is the thickness of the plating. If your piece has plating that is twice as thick as others, it would stand to reason that it is worth more. After all, it has more silver in it.

antique mould

Google a term such as “Antique silver buyers near me” and go find another appraiser. Remember, you don’t have to settle for the first offer, and it is a prudent thing to obtain multiple valuations anyway. You may spend a few dollars more in appraisal fees, but if the end result is a several hundred dollar increase in the price you sell it, you come out far ahead of the game.

Some appraisers are influenced by their own bias

Appraisers are people too. This means that they can be – and often are – influenced by things such as whether they personally like the look of a certain piece of silver jewelry. This can be completely unintentional: an appraiser may truly believe he or she is giving you an honest appraisal, but it may be lower (or higher) than it should be just because he or she dislikes (or likes) the way a piece looks.

For this reason, and others, it’s always a good idea to get no fewer than three appraisals. That way you can identify one that seems to be an outlier and either reject any offers in that range or snap them up if they are higher than the other appraisals. So, take your time, get multiple appraisals, and then decide what you want to do.

Get your FREE verbal, no obligation appraisal!

Get Started!