What kind of bookmarks are shaped like knives?
Antique silver Bookmarks come in all shapes and sizes. Many are shaped like knives or swords because at the turn of the century, many pages in books were not completely separated… Read More
What kind of marks are on sterling silver?
If a piece is genuine sterling, it will be marked with a series of letters, numbers and symbols — all of which have their origins in a marking system created in the 14th century.
What kind of Marks did silversmiths use?
American silversmiths did not use the British system, but many of the more prominent silver manufacturers developed their own system of marks. Today’s collectors sometimes need to employ other methods, such as studying old catalogs, in order to date vintage pieces by American companies such as Tiffany and Gorham.
How can you tell the purity of sterling silver?
While these symbols may seem confusing, anyone with an interest in old silver can learn to decipher them. Look for the standard of purity mark, known as the “assayer’s mark.” In sterling silver, the ratio of pure silver to other binding metals is 925 parts to 1,000, so sterling from America and Great Britain is usually marked “925.”
Is there an online encyclopedia of silver marks?
The site’s main focus is the silver markings used on vintage and antique sterling and coin silver, for those of you interested in silverplate trademarks, we have now added a large section of silverplate marks.
Where can I find list of silver hallmarks?
It is regularly updated as we find and photograph new examples of silver hallmarks and makers’ marks. To navigate the site, it is easiest to use the green menu bar at the top of the screen. If you don’t know the country of origin of the marks you are researching, the “World Hallmarks” page is probably the best place to start.
Antique silver Bookmarks come in all shapes and sizes. Many are shaped like knives or swords because at the turn of the century, many pages in books were not completely separated… Read More
