Is my silverware silver

When we do antique shows, visitors often come into the booth with a puzzled look on their face. Sometimes they will ask questions but often they just say "just-looking" The reasons they look puzzled are usually because of the following: What is this stuff made of, sterling vs silverplate or what? Is this flatware old, it looks so shiny and bright? Are the prices shown representative of the products for sale?

For this discussion, we will try to answer the first question, what is this silverware made of? While we mark all our products as to description etc, there is still confusion. The best way to identify flatware is the back stamp or the name and information listed on the back of the handle. Companies, especially in the late nineteenth and twentieth century were proud to mark their products with name brands as well as descriptive adjectives.

Sterling contains 92.5% silver and will be marked with the word sterling or .925 pure silver in the United States. The mark became a requirement in the United States in 1906 to reduce confusion. This was accomplished through the National Gold and Silver Marking Act and subsequent amendments. Because silver is very soft, the other percentage of metal is often cooper and used to give the piece strength. Sterling products have an inherent metal value (silver prices listed on the commodity exchange on a daily basis) as well as design and pattern value that may or may not add to the value. Makers include Reed & Barton, Tiffany, Gorham, and many others.

Silverplate is a micro-thin layer of silver that is applied by using electrical current to a combination of metals that adheres that thin silver layer. The back stamps on silverplate include words like plated, ESPN, A1, Deepsilver, Extra Plate, Quadruple Plate, or Triple Plate. Manufactures name are also included. What is omitted is the word sterling silver or .925. Silverplate has decorative value according to design and condition but very little inherent metal value. Brands include 1847 Rogers Bros, Oneida Community Plate, Holmes & Edwards, and many others.

Don't let the Brand be a determining factor since many companies produced both sterling and silver-plate flatware.

So which product is better? When you are choosing flatware to change up your dining decor, both sterling and silverplate is useful. Both products represent great designs and patterns from the last 150 years. Choose what fits your budget and what you like. Both sterling silver and silver-plated silverware will tarnish. We recommend the least abrasive products first such as silver polishing cloths or silver spray. Put both products in anti-tarnish clothes or boxes when not in use for a while

Most importantly, enjoy and have fun selecting patterns and styles that represent what you like and what makes you feel special. There are so many styles to choose from and changing a look is so easy with the addition of a few special pieces.