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.

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.

What precisely is sterling silver and how does it differ from real silver?

Posted on January 14, 2022January 30, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

If you’ve seen something marked as sterling silver, you may assume that it’s no different from regular silver. However, that’s not the case. These two terms may sometimes be used interchangeably, but they’re not truly equivalent.

Sterling Silver Vs Silver

There is a difference between sterling silver and standard silver, and if you’re buying a lot of different silver jewelry, you should know exactly what it is you’re purchasing.

Antique Silver Vs Sterling Silver

What is Pure or Fine Silver & How Pure is Sterling Silver

If you’re purchasing something that is advertised as pure silver, that means it has 99.9% silver in it. It’s as pure as you can get there’s no such thing as 100% silver with no impurities. Fine silver is not used in jewelry because it’s simply too soft. The items would be too malleable by hand. That’s why the silver jewelry and other items you purchase will be made from a mixture of silver and another metal (or several metals).

Know What is Sterling Silver?

Sterling silver, on the other hand, is a silver alloy. It’s made when pure silver is mixed with copper. The result is an alloy that is not as soft as pure copper and is much more durable. Sterling silver is generally 92.5% pure. That means only 7.5% of the mixture is another metal. While copper is the most common, zinc and nickel are also often used in making sterling silver.

In many cases, items that are made out of sterling silver are actually coated with pure silver. This thin layer improves the look of the piece by making it shinier. However, these products should never be labeled as pure silver because they aren’t.
You should also look for the term “sterling silver plated” on products. These products are not made of sterling silver. Instead, they’re made out of other metals such as copper or nickel. They’ve just had an outer layer of sterling silver applied to them. Over time, this layer is going to start wearing off, leaving the item looking much less attractive.

What is Coin Silver?

If you’re researching sterling silver vs. pure silver, you may also see the term “coin silver” come up. This is another type of silver alloy. However, it’s less pure. Coin silver is generally no more than 90 percent pure silver, so it’s not used in jewelry that often.

How Do You Tell the Difference?

Reputable silver makers should always stamp their creations. On fine silver pieces, you’ll find a number that shows the amount of silver per hundred parts (or thousands, in some cases). The higher the number, the more silver is in the product. Pure silver should have a high number such as 999 (some items are marked as 99.9 or as .999, but these are all indicative of pure silver). On sterling silver, you should see 925 (or, again, 9.25 or .925). If the number is any lower than that, it shouldn’t be marked as sterling silver in the U.S.

Note that sterling silver sold in other countries may have a purity lower than 925. Not all countries have the same purity requirements that the U.S. has.

Is Your Antique Silver Solid or Plated? A Guide

Posted on January 6, 2022January 30, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

You have a prized silver antique collection, but do you know if it is solid silver of simply silver plated? Does it really make a difference? It does if you are concerned with the value.

Silver plating was developed as an inexpensive way for people who couldn’t afford sterling (or solid silver) to enjoy the beauty of the metal without the hefty price tag. In fact, some manufacturers got so good at creating silver plated items that it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between the two. Unfortunately, when it comes to the value of your antiques, whether you have solid or plated silver makes a big difference, so it is important to be able to differentiate between the two.

Look for a Stamp

If your antique silver technique is truly sterling silver and not simply plated, it will be stamped with a telltale hallmark. Typically found on the bottom of the piece, a silver stamp may include:

The words “Sterling Silver’
A numeric value (800, 900, 925, etc.)
A lion hallmark

If you notice a stamp on your antique silver, use a magnifying glass to inspect it closely. International sellers commonly use the numeric values, as they will indicate the percentage of fine silver that is found in the piece. For example, a piece stamped with 925 will indicate that the item is 92.5% silver.

If your antique silver doesn’t have a stamp, you should be leery about its silver content. It may have simply been produced in a country that doesn’t stamp its solid silver products, but you should follow up with an additional test.

Perform the Magnet Test

A strong magnet can be a good tool in determining whether your silver antique is solid silver or plated. Silver exhibits weak magnetic effects, so if you hold a magnet up and it sticks to the piece strongly, you can feel pretty confident that the piece isn’t silver. Similarly, if the magnet doesn’t stick, you shouldn’t automatically assume that you’ve got the real deal. There are plenty of materials that resemble silver and are not magnetic.

Use Some Ice

Another great way to test whether or not you own a solid silver piece can be performed with something that is probably already in your freezer – ice cubes. Silver is an excellent conductor, meaning it relays heat and cold quickly. Put some ice on or inside of your silver item, depending on what it is, and wait to see if it gets cold. Sterling silver items should be cold in less than a minute. This is an especially helpful method when you have two items that you can compare, such as a sterling silver spoon and a spoon from a silver plated set.

Get Your Piece Evaluated

If you still aren’t sure about whether or not your antique is solid silver or silver plated, there are a variety of great professionals out there that can give you some insight. An antique dealer, auctioneer, appraiser, or estate sale company should be able to examine your item and tell you about its silver composition.

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

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

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

Use Special Bags

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

Try Anti-Tarnish Paper

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

Always Clean Your Silver After Use

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

Use Chalk

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

Category Archives: sterling silver