Can you tell its silver by its attributes? its brand? (BIGCYPRESSHUNTER)

chukers

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Feb 1, 2010
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I have a silver looking bowl... it looks feels and smells like silver but there is no markings to say it is... unless its what is on the bottom...

This bowl does not have any markings to say its silver but the silver test shows a creamy brown color (so will plated silver) and it rings up high on my VDI 82+ and it cleans and smells like silver.


Chukers

Look at the video and tell me what you think.

 

Re: Can you tell its silver by its attributes? its brand?

not even a guess?


Chukers
 

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Re: Can you tell its silver by its attributes? its brand?

I don't know if you did the scratch test or applied the acid right to the metal in an inconspicuous area so I will tell you what I know about applying it right on the item. If you apply the acid right on the item just a drop (you can use a needle or a safety pin, so you don't get too much) it will turn red if it is silver. If it is not silver you could damage the metal, that is why I suggest the pin method.

I use to test a lot of jewelry and the brownish color could be a lower grade of silver and it always confused me. I was always happiest when I applied it to the piece and saw red! Good Luck!
 

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Re: Can you tell its silver by its attributes? its brand?

cdsieg said:
I don't know if you did the scratch test or applied the acid right to the metal in an inconspicuous area so I will tell you what I know about applying it right on the item. If you apply the acid right on the item just a drop (you can use a needle or a safety pin, so you don't get too much) it will turn red if it is silver. If it is not silver you could damage the metal, that is why I suggest the pin method.

I use to test a lot of jewelry and the brownish color could be a lower grade of silver and it always confused me. I was always happiest when I applied it to the piece and saw red! Good Luck!

I should of took a picture of it... but it was only a drop I did it on the stone and on the bottom both were a dark red/brown and yes I am confused but the colors too... you would think they would send a color test strip to compare with instead of saying creamy color or grey or green... I have not found one on the net either.


Chukers
 

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Re: Can you tell its silver by its attributes? its brand?

cdsieg said:
I use to test a lot of jewelry and the brownish color could be a lower grade of silver and it always confused me. I was always happiest when I applied it to the piece and saw red! Good Luck!
The brownish color is not good. I know what you mean, I used to love to see the bright red. You cant miss it when its .925 percent or above.

chukers said:
I should of took a picture of it... but it was only a drop I did it on the stone and on the bottom both were a dark red/brown and yes I am confused but the colors too... you would think they would send a color test strip to compare with instead of saying creamy color or grey or green... I have not found one on the net either.


Chukers
It should be bright red or deep red for good silver or Sterling if you use Schwerters. Are there any markings?

What is Schwerter's solution ?
See Silver testing , here _
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_dichromate

How to
http://shorinternational.com/TestGoldMakeSolution.htm

Schwerter's solution indications
Brass - Dark Brown
Copper - Brown
Nickel - Blue
Palladium - None
Gold - None
- Silver Pure - Bright Red
- Silver .925 - Dark Red
- Silver .800 - Brown
- Silver .500 - Green
Lead - Yellow
Tin - Yellow
 

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Re: Can you tell its silver by its attributes? its brand?

I just watched the video. Silver plating will also shine up nice. Take a pic of the markings and someone can search it. I couldnt read it.
 

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Re: Can you tell its silver by its attributes? its brand?

bigcypresshunter said:
I just watched the video. Silver plating will also shine up nice. Take a pic of the markings and someone can search it. I couldnt read it.


here is a picture of the bottom.... the other markings on the sides of the cup are the person's initials and the date of the christening...


Reed & Barton 843 is all it says... I have looked for it on the net but not found the exact match.... close but not exact... I have read Reed and Barton makes pewter & silver cups... I'm pretty sure it not pewter... but not positive that why I am asking you guys!

Thanks for all the help.


Chukers
 

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Re: Can you tell its silver by its attributes? its brand?

Hello, The 843 may be the silver percentage as 925 is sterling. That would make sense with the silver test color of red to brown because it would fall very close to sterling. If this is correct, it is still over 8/10's solid silver :icon_thumright: Take care! Paul :coffee2:
 

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Re: Can you tell its silver by its attributes? its brand?

chukers said:
bigcypresshunter said:

Oh I bet it is... there is no way its 1898...

Does anyone know if there is a value in items that already has inscriptions on an item? I would think they are pretty much valueless also is there a way to remove the inscriptions?

Chukers

again thank you for your help... I appreciate it!
Sorry I dont know. You could sell it as brass or you could go to the flea market and play dumb and sell it in a group with some sterling marked silver items. :wink: :D


The Tiffany rattle is cool. http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?sku=11797083
 

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Re: Can you tell its silver by its attributes? its brand?

bigcypresshunter said:
chukers said:
bigcypresshunter said:

Oh I bet it is... there is no way its 1898...

Does anyone know if there is a value in items that already has inscriptions on an item? I would think they are pretty much valueless also is there a way to remove the inscriptions?

Chukers

again thank you for your help... I appreciate it!
Sorry I dont know. You could sell it as brass or you could go to the flea market and play dumb and sell it in a group with some sterling marked silver items. :wink: :D

I'll go ask the garage sale guys... I bey they might know... thanks for getting me this far!
 

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Re: Can you tell its silver by its attributes? its brand?

The 843 is the Reed & Barton pattern number:

#843
Just one of the many whimsical offerings in the Reed & Barton Children's Silver Giftware collection. Share a tradition that is certain to be treasured for generations to come – a keepsake gift from Reed & Barton. This item is warranted for 100 years.

Features:

Marriage cup
Complements the Children's Giftware collection
Perfect gift for children

Specifications:

Dimensions: 3" H x 4.05" W
Material: Sterling Silver
Handwash recommended

-Dylan
 

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Re: Can you tell its silver by its attributes? its brand?

Dylan said:
The 843 is the Reed & Barton pattern number:

#843
Just one of the many whimsical offerings in the Reed & Barton Children's Silver Giftware collection. Share a tradition that is certain to be treasured for generations to come – a keepsake gift from Reed & Barton. This item is warranted for 100 years.

Features:

Marriage cup
Complements the Children's Giftware collection
Perfect gift for children

Specifications:

Dimensions: 3" H x 4.05" W
Material: Sterling Silver
Handwash recommended

-Dylan
yea thanks we got that in the links above. The question now is, being engraved, is it worth any more than its weight in brass?
 

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