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Wait! Don't Scrap Your Silver Just Yet.

 

Silver has escalated to its highest price since 1980, and it's time to make crucial decisions. To scrap or not to scrap? First and foremost, are you absolutely certain that the object you want melted isn’t a rare or important piece crafted by an important silversmith? If it was made by a silver company, are you positive it isn’t one of only a few produced? These are questions that you should take into careful consideration before scrapping. Keep in mind that during the last rush to the refiners in 1980, tons of important silver that will never be reproduced was recklessly disposed of. Some of it was saved from the flames by the hands of knowledgeable silver dealers, but the majority will never be seen again in this throw-away society.

I've spoken to many individuals who didn’t do their research before scrapping, finding out soon afterwards that their silver was far more valuable than its silver content alone. Please give serious consideration to what you’re looking at before shipping it to a refiner. Something else to keep in mind: many refiners will also charge a refining fee of $50 or more per lot!I

How about using your silver in unconventional ways, like throwing some donuts on a silver plate...

Courtesy Silver Magpies

And what about giving these objects as gifts, especially if they are handwrought or contain beautifully hand-engraved monograms or chasing. These pieces are works of art and should never be melted. Why not wait for birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays, and surprise your friends or loved ones? If your silver is damaged or heavily tarnished, it might be easily restored by a specialist in silver restoration, making it useful again. If you still intend on selling your silver, consider a reputable antique dealer who has silver appraisal experience, or contact an auction house. And I'm sure you already know about ebay and the enormous amount silver offered there.

As you can see, there are numerous options of dealing with silver you either no longer want or to repurpose. And silver is actually very easy to care for – visit The Care of Silver for instructions. (It may be as simple as using hand sanitizer!) And keep in mind that tarnished silver can still be decorative.

See this article about silver's health benefits!

Beverly Bremer Silver Shop
3164 Peachtree Rd. N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30305
800/270-4009 

M. Ford Creech Antiques
581 South Perkins Rd.
Memphis, TN 38117
901/761-1163

Christie's
20 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020
212/636-2000

Marsh & Ackerman Antiques
PO Box 373
Swansea, MA 02777
508/675-4889, Cell: 508/277-9942

Drucker Antiques, Inc.
487 East Main Street, Ste. 197
Mount Kisco, NY 10549
914/923-4560

Old Friends – Dennis Knight
Offering a selection of coin and sterling from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Worcester, MA

Firestone & Parson
8 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02116
617/266-1858

S.J. Shrubsole
26 East 81th St.
New York, NY 10028
212/753-8920

Greenwald Antiques
28480 Chagrin Blvd.
Woodmere Village, OH 44122
216/839-6100

Sotheby's
1334 York Ave.
New York, NY 10021
800/813-5968

Heritage Auction Galleries
1518 Slocum St.
Dallas, TX 75207
800/872-6467

Spencer Marks Ltd.
PO Box 330
Southampton, MA 01073
413/527-7344

Lamb Silver
Specializing in early American silver
Chads Ford, PA 19317
631/655-7550

DC Silver
Nate Ivey, purveyor


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