Insurance Value Vs. Selling Price

QUESTION:
I have a sterling silver flatware service that I want to sell.  I have an insurance appraisal from six years ago that says that it is worth three as much as anyone is offering me.  What do I do?

ANSWER:
You have to ask yourself 'at what price am I willing to sell the service?'.  The insurance value is for replacement of the flatware at full retail price in the event of a loss.  The selling value is the price which someone would be willing to pay for the flatware.  

What Causes Silver To Tarnish

The Chemistry of Tarnish

Sterling silver flatware brings a classic elegance to any table. Unfortunately, along with silver's good looks comes the responsibility to care for it regularly to prevent tarnishing. Most people bring out the good silver only for rare occasions or holidays that come a few times a year, which makes keeping the silver tarnish-free more difficult. Elements present in the air itself cause silver flatware to tarnish.

Silver flatware will eventually develop blackish areas that progress until the entire piece is covered with tarnish. This occurs when the silver in the flatware undergoes a chemical reaction with sulfur-containing compounds in the air. The two combine, forming a black silver sulfide coating on the flatware. This coating will get progressively worse if not removed from the silver flatware. High humidity increases the likelihood of tarnishing.

1. Removing Tarnish From Silverware

   • Many good silver cleaning products are available on the market. These products should be used only when necessary, as they all contain harsh abrasives that can damage good silver to some degree. The residue from these polishes is often difficult to remove from silver flatware that has numerous crevices. Use a wet horsehair brush to remove the dried polish from these surfaces. Chemical dips are also available for removing tarnish from silver, but keep in mind that these contain an acid, along with a complexing agent. The acid is a corrosive compound that should be handled with care. Wear nitrile gloves and use the dip in a well-ventilated area to avoid fumes. Chemical dips should only be used as a last resort and are best used by a qualified silver restoration professional.

   Preventing Tarnish

   • To prevent tarnishing, use the flatware frequently and wash with a gentle, non-lemon scented, phosphate-free dish detergent after use. If you should see light tarnish developing on pieces, use window cleaner with vinegar to remove the yellow discoloration and dry carefully. Some commercial silver polishes will provide tarnish protection also.

   Silver Cleaning Precautions

   • Do not use silver polishes that have dried out, as this will increase the abrasive quality of the polish and could damage silverware. Never put sterling silver flatware into the dishwasher. Both the components within the dishwasher and the detergents used to clean dishes can cause damage to your silver. Components within the dishwasher can react chemically with the silver causing discolorations. The detergents can abrade the surface of the silver. The Society of American Silversmiths also advises against using toothpaste as a silver polish. Though toothpaste is always handy and will remove the tarnish, it is much too abrasive for delicate silver. Even small amounts can cause serious damage

Free Verbal Appraisal On Any Silver Items

Bring in any silver items, no limit, to our store, from now until the end of March, for a free, no obligation, verbal appraisal. Call for an appointment, 212-758-4858. Mention reference BLOG0220.
Anthony Mammon
www.EstateSilver.com

Medical Uses Of Silver

Silver has a long and illustrious history of medicinal use. A brief history follows:

• The ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome used silver to control bodily infection and prevent food spoilage. In the fifth century B.C., Hippocrates (known as the Father of Medicine) used silver to heal wounds. Medicine's dad also used silver as an ulcer treatment.
• In the same century, the King of Persia (now known as Iran) used silver container to carry water to prevent contamination.
• Approximately seven decades before the birth of Christ, the Roman scholar Pliny the Elder wrote of the ability of silver to heal wounds by preventing infection. No mention was made of Neosporin.
• In the 8th through 10th centuries, silver became a very popular treatment in the Middle East for many ailments, from cardiovascular disease to bad breath.
• In the 16th Century, a Swiss alchemist and physician by the name of Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim (no kidding!) used silver and other elements as medicines. He is often know as the Father of Toxicology, and believed that things became poisonous in large doses He wrote, "All things are poison and nothing is without poison; only the dose makes that a thing is no poison."
• In the early 1700s, Angelus Sala used silver nitrate (AgNO₃) to treat syphilis and chorea.
• Throughout the Middle Ages in Europe, it had been noticed that royalty, who consumed their food and drink from silver tableware, utensils and cups, tended to develop a bluish skin tone. (Ever heard of the phrase "blue bloods"?) This was thought to be due to the silver that entered their bodies during consumption. Furthermore, the lower rate of plague-related deaths among royalty led to the inference that silver could be protective.
• As a result, silver became a popular material for tableware, goblets, cutlery, and food storage containers. It was believed that the silver in these items could kill germs. Russia's army likewise used silver lined containers to cleanse river water before drinking it.  Modern science has confirmed that low levels of silver in water can indeed kill some types of bacteria.
• In America's Wild West, silver coins were placed in containers of water and milk to prevent spoilage.
• Over the past couple of hundreds of years, scientists continued to document silver's anti-bacterial properties.
• Virtually everyone reading this probably had a drop of silver nitrate solution dropped into their eyes to prevent blindness, in the event that mommy had a venereal disease. Indeed, our great grand parents probably got the same treatment, which became standard practices at the end of the 19th century.
• In more recent years, silver (along with copper) has been incorporated into many water purification systems.
• Stainless steel is used to create most surgical instruments, but fifty or sixty years ago, such instruments were made of silver, again to prevent infections.
• At present, several companies are marketing "break through" food storage containers that include Antibacterial silver nanoparticles to prevent spoilage.  These products are touted as modern day miracles.  The King of Persia was way ahead of his time!