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Sunday, April 26, 2009

My Salad Forks Don't Weigh the Same!

Don't be alarmed. Manufacturers have, over the years, modified the weight of flatware pieces slightly. It seems to us that weights have decreased gradually. In some cases, manufacturers have identified specific weights on pieces but not always (see our post, Gorham Weight Marks).

Generally speaking, weight differences are not all that noticeable. So, it's OK to mix different weights in the same set as far as we are concerned.

One note of caution is worth mentioning. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. For example, Gorham makes a dinner fork and a place fork in its Buttercup pattern. Both are 7.5 inches long overall but there is quite a bit of difference in weight (see our post, About Forks).

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Selling Sterling for Scrap: Concrete Example

We have received lots of questions about selling sterling flatware for scrap value. We have responded with conjectures about how this might happen and how much you would receive.

In order to give readers more concrete information, we decided to actually sell some for scrap. We had some sterling flatware pieces that were bent or otherwise badly damaged. We sent them to a mail order buyer who advertises daily on their web site what they will pay.

The buyer received our pieces, called us to confirm the purchase price and paid us the same day via PayPal. The price we received was about 65% of the current spot price for silver. That seemed reasonable to us because the buyer has to make a profit. We paid the postage to send the pieces.

If you have specific questions, email us. We don't endorse any buyers but this one did follow through as he said he would.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Testimonial: Wenol Metal Polish

We have avoided endorsing products but we have had such good success with Wenol Metal Polish when dealing with severely tarnished or poorly maintained pieces that we thought a testimonial was in order. We buy two or three tubes at a time! It's good.

We were not asked to do this by the the Wenol people nor are we being compensated by them. We just appreciate a good product.

Be aware that Wenol contains a mild abrasive and might remove traces of silver during the polishing process. Be especially careful with silver plate pieces.

We don't sell this product but you can find it simply by typing "Wenol" in the search window in the right column and clicking "Search".

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

How Do I Remove Rust From Sterling Flatware?

Rust on sterling flatware? I question the fact that you actually have sterling flatware. Tarnish, maybe, but rust?

Perhaps there might be some rust issue with silver plate knife blades or with the joint where the blade meets the handle but this is just a guess. I never have seen rust on sterling pieces. I welcome comments from readers who have different information.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Place Knives Mistakenly Called Butter Knives

I see ads from sellers now and then that say something like this, "Place setting consisting of fork, butter knife, salad fork & teaspoon". This makes me suspicious. Does this seller really have a place setting that includes a butter knife and no luncheon, place or dinner knife??

For some reason, some people call normal knives, "butter knives". I have no idea why. So, if the ad you are reviewing has this type of description, contact the seller and ask for the knife's length. Be sure you know what you are buying.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

I Can't Find Hallmarks on My Knives

You may still have sterling handle knives even if you can't find any hallmarks. It's common for the hallmarks on old knife handles to get buffed or polished away over many years of use. We have a pretty strong magnifying glass and we look for faint imprints or even pieces of letters that indicate the original hallmarks.

In recent history, manufacturers began putting all the hallmarks on the knife blades. You might see, for example, "Stainless Blade Sterling Handle" imprinted on a knife blade. But, it the old days, the sterling hallmark was placed on the handle.

So, if you have a knife that your are worried about, hold it under a good light and a strong magnifying glass. Gradually tilt the knife handle various ways to look for hints of the original hallmarks. Tilt slowly and look carefully. Some hallmarks may run down the side of the handle; others might be at the handle shoulder where it meets the blade.

The picture below illustrates the problem. We took a picture of an old Gorham Buttercup knife handle. By adjusting the brightness and contrast (resulting in the golden color), we are just able to make out the words "Sterling Handle".



Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

What Does "Estate Condition" Mean?

We have no idea! It depends upon the person using the term.

We've seen sellers describe sterling flatware pieces as being in "estate" condition. We think they usually mean that the pieces are used but as far as we are concerned, the term does not define the condition. Some add descriptive words, such as "Very Fine Estate Condition". If I am familiar with a seller and understand how he describes pieces, this description will help. But if I am not familiar with a seller, I still don't really know what the piece looks like.

Many sellers include definitions of their descriptive terms when they offer a piece for sale. Then, at least, you have some idea of actual condition. For example, when we sell something, we assign an evaluation to it using the following definitions:
  • Excellent Condition: May show very slight signs of wear; might be tarnished because of age and have a few faint scratches.
  • Fine Condition: May show minor scratches; minimal damage; patterns and relief will be well-defined.
  • Very Good Condition: Patterns may show wear; may show signs of regular use.
  • Good Condition: Pattern may be worn; signs of damage or improper cleaning may be seen.

We sometimes will say that a piece is in fine to excellent condition if it is between categories in our judgement. Sometimes for knives and other pieces with distinct components, we will say something like the blades are in very good condition and the handles are in fine condition. We often add another descriptive sentence or two such as, "We did not rate the spoons as 'excellent' because they have light abrasions from normal use."

If you are buying a piece of used sterling flatware, you have the right to understand its condition. If the seller is not clear, ask specific questions before buying.

By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "View My Complete Profile" in the right column.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Finding Buyers for Your Sterling Flatware

We receive lots of questions and comments regarding locating a buyer for sterling flatware. We'll try to be unbiased in our response - we buy sterling flatware ourselves.

First, we recommend that you read our other posts related to selling flatware. In the right sidebar on this screen, click on the Label, "Selling". This will cause all the articles related to selling to be displayed together.

To get to some heavy-duty volume buyers:
  • In the right column of this blog, enter "selling silver" in the Sterling Silver Web Search box and click the "Search" button.
  • A new window will appear. Click on the ads you see at the top and on the right side of the new window.

Generally, these ad clicks will take you to people who buy scrap silver.

Now, here are some suggestions for locating other types of buyers:

  • Send an email to us describing what you have. Click on "Email Silver Jim" in the right sidebar of this screen to access our email address. You didn't think we really would be unbiased, did you?
  • We've mentioned eBay and craigslist.org in earlier posts. They are both good options and the latter option is free. Just be aware that scammers prey on craigslist sellers a lot.
  • Try your local jewelry stores. If they won't buy it, maybe they can refer you to someone.
  • In larger cities, you might find specialty stores that buy and sell used sterling pieces. In Atlanta, for example, we found businesses like this in the Yellow Pages under the heading, "Silverware".
  • Search the ads on this blog for buyers. In the right sidebar are ten ads that directly relate to silver. Near the very bottom of this screen are roughly twenty similar ads. Most ads are for buyers, sellers or related products such as polish. You have to scroll through the ads to see them all.
  • When scanning the ads, remember that sellers probably are also buyers. Contact them and ask how to sell to them. Some have this information posted on their web sites. We see ads frequently from at least three large companies that buy and sell. If you want more details about them, send an email to us. Google changes the ads every time you visit this blog, so check the ads every time.

We always welcome emails if you have specific questions.

By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "View My Complete Profile" in the right column.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Can I Replace My Knife Blades?

Yes. New blades can be attached to your sterling handles. If you have silverplate blades, you can also have them re-plated.

Check with local resources like jewelers or enter "sterling flatware repair" in the search block in the right sidebar and search for a repair facility.

Before replacing blades, discuss with your repair source the shape of the blade and how close the new blade will match your old ones. Remember that most sterling flatware manufacturers make knives with several blade lengths and shapes.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "View My Complete Profile" in the right column.