Shopping for small items - spoons, forks, etc.

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Shopping for small items - spoons, forks, etc.

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Author	Topic: Shopping for small items - spoons, forks, etc.
teasetz Posts: 56 Registered: Jun 2015	posted 06-28-2015 02:21 AM As a newbie to silver collection, I made my first foray into a little antiques market set up next to a farmers' market. I was looking at teaspoons and dessert forks and a couple pretty pierced serving spoons. I didn't buy anything chiefly because I could not decipher any of the marks! My only experience is with my tea set which has huge amounts of space on the bottom so it has big, clear, easy to see marks. The spoons had no room for such luxuries. A seller showed me some of the marks in the bowl of one serving spoon, but they were so small and hard to see. How do you handle this challenge? Do you bring a magnifying glass when you shop? Besides cash, is there anything else you like to have on hand when you go browsing? Any silver-hunting tips are much appreciated! Note: I tried to post in the ivory thread but I think I'm not allowed to post there yet. I found it interesting that there were several ivory-handled pieces yesterday. This is in Japan. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11573 Registered: Apr 93	posted 06-28-2015 10:37 AM June & I carry a lighted 10x loupe. At antique warehouse in Austin Texas where there was a power outage blackout we lead everyone out . IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11573 Registered: Apr 93	posted 06-28-2015 10:42 AM On the more expensive high tech side of things see: Electronic loupe IP: Logged
Hose_dk Posts: 400 Registered: May 2008	posted 06-28-2015 01:15 PM Welcome to the collecting World. A magnifying glass is a must. Often have I bought an item only to see that its plated when returning home. Knowledge - is vital, you gain this when collecting. Wrong buys are also a must. You will make msitakes as all of us. The reward is also there casoria What I did was to borrow books - read about history and style. Borrowed books with hallmarks. And made purchase - that I knew was real. Fell the silver. When I buy: Look at the item - does it look good. Is the silver plating intact. Buy plated items to learn the difference. Look at marks - I have learned the characteristics of plate. Feel with your fingers - silver is soft plated is hard. Does the inside look golden, or red = plated. Feel the weight in your fingers a silver spoon is from 30 gram to 120 gram. Normally around 40 to 45 (50) gram. Plated is much thicker and has more weight. Look at the dimensions. The silver is thinner. You cannot make the plated items as thin and elegang as silver. Use a magnet. Silver is never magnetic. Naturally that also go for plated (not magnetic) but the test is a string. First you start and then continue. Smell - wrap the silver with your finger. Silver no smell, plated a rotten smell of eggs. Plated items - green is also because base metal contains copper. If the tarnish smell bad - plated. Try try and fail the try try try and fail. Try try and eventually you gain knowledge. [This message has been edited by Mod assistant (edited 03-04-2024).] IP: Logged
teasetz Posts: 56 Registered: Jun 2015	posted 06-29-2015 09:29 PM Scott, I love that story! Thanks for the tip. I'll look into ordering one for when I get to the US. My home there is in an area with lots of antiques markets, auctions and shops. I'm looking forward to making a few silver finding trips this summer! IP: Logged
teasetz Posts: 56 Registered: Jun 2015	posted 06-29-2015 09:34 PM Hose - thanks for the tips! I was especially interested in what you said about the feel of plate v sterling. I thought that, too, but figured it was in my head. They feel sharper to me. I'm excited to give collecting a first go this summer and will no doubt be reporting here on how it's going, failures and all! IP: Logged

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