All About Antiques

Estate sale silver can be sterling, silver-filled, or electroplated, and the difference in value is enormous. Sterling silver is marked 925, STERLING, or carries a lion passant hallmark for British pieces. Silver plate is marked EPNS, A1, or has no stamp at all. Knowing where to look on flatware, hollowware, and candlesticks, and understanding what…

The best places to buy antique silver online include established auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s, specialist dealers on Ruby Lane and 1stDibs, and vetted eBay sellers with documented hallmark photos. Authentic pieces carry clear hallmarks, such as British lion passant or American coin silver stamps, and most genuine pre-1900 sterling shows consistent wear patterns.…

Selling inherited silver requires identifying if your pieces are sterling silver (92.5% pure, marked “Sterling” or “925”), coin silver (90% pure, used before 1860), or silver plate (base metal coated in silver). Authentic sterling pieces carry specific maker’s marks and assay marks that determine their fair market value and appeal in the collector market. Imagine…

When selling antique silver, the most profitable route depends on the item’s quality, maker, and condition. High-end, signed sterling silver pieces from prominent makers like Tiffany & Co. or Paul Revere fetch premium prices at specialist auction houses, while standard flatware sets often sell faster to local antique dealers or through online collector platforms. Always…

Solid silver, or sterling silver, is an alloy containing 92.5% pure silver, often identified by a “925” mark or a lion passant hallmark. Silver plate consists of a thin layer of pure silver electroplated over a base metal like copper or brass, typically bearing marks like “EPNS” or “A1.” The acid test uses a nitric…

Fake silver hallmarks can be identified by examining the crispness of the stamp, the uniformity of the wear, and the accuracy of the assay marks. Authentic sterling silver hallmarks struck before 1890 show uneven wear consistent with the piece’s use, whereas modern laser-engraved forgeries appear perfectly uniform. Always check for the correct maker’s mark alongside…

The most reliable at-home method for identifying solid silver is the ice test, due to silver’s exceptional thermal conductivity. While the ring test can indicate coin silver or sterling silver through a sustained high-pitched chime, the bleach test is destructive and should be avoided. Professional authentication always requires verifying hallmarks and assay marks. Imagine you…

The magnet test for silver is a reliable initial screening tool, but it is not definitive. Pure silver, sterling silver, and coin silver are non-magnetic. If a strong rare-earth magnet sticks to your item, it is definitely not solid silver; however, non-magnetic items can still be base metals like brass or copper disguised as silver…

Authentic sterling silver can be identified by looking for specific hallmarks like “925”, “Sterling”, or a lion passant. Genuine silver is non-magnetic, has a high thermal conductivity (melting ice instantly), and produces a distinct, high-pitched ringing sound when tapped. Pieces lacking these traits are often heavily plated copper or brass. Imagine you are at a…

Silver coins generally offer higher liquidity and track closer to spot metal prices, making them a straightforward bullion investment. Conversely, antique silver objects hold potential for significantly higher fair market value due to provenance, rarity, and craftsmanship, though they require expert authentication and a longer holding period to realize their full collector market potential. Imagine…