Quick & Dirty Tips For Buying Second Hand Silver

Today’s feature is from Like Merchant Ships with some quick & dirty tips for Buying Second Hand Silver. If you like hitting the thrift stores, garage sales and auctions, you can start a nice collection of silver pieces on the cheap!

Here are some notes that give a quick breakdown:

Tips For Buying Second Hand Silver

• Sterling silver is more expensive than silver plate
• Watch for .925 or STERLING marks to determine Sterling Silver items
• Sterling silver is lighter than silverplate, which means weight is not a sign of quality
• Watch for “quadruple plate” or “silver over copper” markings on older pieces – these tend to be better quality than modern silverplate
• Avoid items stamped “International Silver” or “Made in India”, these tend to be thinly plated over cheap metal
• Look for items marked with British hallmarks for a good indication of value

Don’t let grubby, tarnished bargains scare you away, some advice for cleaning tarnished silver is offered too. You can also try Homemade Silver Polishing Cloths and the Sour Milk Silver Soak.

Make sure to visit the page and read all the details, good stuff!

Don't Miss These Tips:

• Sour Milk Silver Soak
• Homemade Silver Polishing Cloths
• How To Soften Butter: Quick Tips