OT- Question about silver tea set

[mickeys friend]

I have a tea set (or coffee set,pot,creamer,sugar bowl,tray) and I figure it's silver plated,but I know that sometimes things are marked really plain to see and sometimes it's hard to tell.So what all are the markings for silver (besides the silver words)? I know it's heavy and has been put away for over twenty years and never used.Don't know what I might do with it yet but before I go and unpack things to check it out,I'd like to know about any silver or even silverplated markings ( I know silver plated isn't worth as much as silver).More than likely it's not worth much,but doesn't hurt to check every now and then.I know silver is up but nothing like gold,but just wondering.Thanks.

 

[scrapquitler]

I have a tea set (or coffee set,pot,creamer,sugar bowl,tray) and I figure it's silver plated,but I know that sometimes things are marked really plain to see and sometimes it's hard to tell.So what all are the markings for silver (besides the silver words)? I know it's heavy and has been put away for over twenty years and never used.Don't know what I might do with it yet but before I go and unpack things to check it out,I'd like to know about any silver or even silverplated markings ( I know silver plated isn't worth as much as silver).More than likely it's not worth much,but doesn't hurt to check every now and then.I know silver is up but nothing like gold,but just wondering.Thanks.

Usually sterling silver is stamped with the number .925 or 0.925 if I remember correctly.

Okay, I just looked it up and there are other markings as well. Look here for more information: http://www.ehow.com/how_5704417_identify-silver-coffee-tea-set.html

I also remembered that I have a friend who used to collect aluminum tea service sets. Perhaps what your have is actually alumnium? I was never able to tell the difference between her sterling sets and her aluminum sets, but I didn't pay attention. LOL

 

[mickeys friend]

This was a hostess gift from Home Interior (if you had ALOT of points) over twenty years ago.I remember that it was so many points that the dealer in my area had never seen it because no one ever got enough points and I am almost for sure it was the highest thing to pick from.I had alot of parties back then when you got double points on sales and I always did the frist Christmas party in our area,so that's how I got it.I know it came with one of those black things to help keep it from tarnishing.But they might have put that in for silver plated also.Thanks for the help.Would love to know if there's any Home Interior dealers on here that could help?

 

[disprincessatheart]

Silver and silver plate will both tarnish. I was watching one of those storage auction shows yesterday and i remember them saying something about a purplish tint if it was silver - in this case the bottom wasn't silver plated (no silvere tint) and the rest was. Even then they said the platter was worth $50 or something like that, so your set could still be worth a nice amount even if it's silver plated.

 

[mickeys friend]

I saw the same show but didn't catch everything they said.Thanks.

 

[DVCLiz]

Sterling silver will always have the word "Sterling" marked on it.