posted on August 20, 2001 08:59:08 PM new
i have been stashing any silverware; silverplate...etc tableware....don't know a thing about it ....any suggestions??the pile keeps growing
posted on August 21, 2001 04:43:44 PM new
As a silver dealer, my first suggestion is to polish it. THEN get a silver pattern guide book(s). You need to be real careful about condition. I have bought silver on eBay and it came with dried cornflakes on the spoon bowl. Try putting it up as odd lots. Or study auctions to learn about patterns. Or offer it to a silver dealer and see what they say. Silver is a very tricky field, about as pitfall filled as dolls, and can be either really good or really awful. Good luck. Dale
posted on August 21, 2001 05:09:11 PM new
meridenmor, what do you suggest using to clean silverware? I have some that I use but do not want to use the liquids to clean it after reading the warnings on some the threads here.
posted on August 22, 2001 05:19:51 PM new
Hi rariffle, what I use is a buffing wheel. My twin wheels go 3500 rpm. I use a muslin not cotton buff. For cleaning I use white diamond. For lustre green rouge. This is a professional setup and kind of dangerous to use. Things can go flying and pierce concrete. Plus figure the first 10,000 pieces polished are just for practice. Once you get good at it, you should be able to turn out 40 to 100 pieces an hour. They will look like new. For simple home use I would recommend Simichrome, Maas, Wrights paste or Haggerty's spray. The spray is the best but smells awful. Open windows first. Or better yet, use outside. Somehow I missed the threads on liquids. Any dip destroys patina and really can devalue a piece. I have 9 running feet of silver books. But most things you run into that bring money can be found in Tere Hagen's pattern guides to plate and sterling. Beyond that Kovel's American Silver Marks is good, but most things you end up finding only in there are not very salable to begin with. Learn the simple, highly salable marks: Gorham, Reed & Barton, 1847 Rogers, Community. The esoteric are really tricky; it is easy to be burned by Tiffany and Kirk silver.
But first off, wash all the silver in warm soapy (not detergent) water with a bit of ammonia. Then dry. Do not soak very long. Use a soft natural bristle brush to clean. The number of idiot things done to silver is amazing. Like shrink wrapping plastic wrap on. Or covering with clear acrylic floor wax. Good luck. Dale
posted on August 22, 2001 07:09:13 PM new
Hi, we also buy silver and pay a fair wholesale. We are [email protected]. And we take in polishing at $1.00 per place piece. Shipping can eat this up, but if you are in or around Denver, good high quality polishing can make a difference in price. Dale
posted on August 22, 2001 10:03:07 PM new
I'd really like to know more about the buffing wheel. I sell a LOT of silverplate and have been using pastes like Simichrome and doing it all by hand...and that is getting really old.
Where can you buy such a thing, and does it work well on curved surfaces like spoon bowls? Those are the toughest to get clean for me.
posted on August 23, 2001 12:46:49 PM new
You can buy the setup from just about any jeweler's supply outfit. I prefer to buy locally on machines so check your yellow pages. The machine runs about $350 to $500. Be sure and get one with a vent, otherwise you are breathing rouge and dust like crazy. Also, this requires very steady hands and a fairly strong grip. You will be putting the piece of silver against a spinning wheel. The trick is to hold it just long enough to clean but not cut thru the pattern. Start out with junk items before going on to good things. And it works very well on curved surfaces, after all it is a round wheel. For hard to get at spots like gravy ladle bowls, try using a small goblet buff on the tip of the mandril. Good luck, Dale
