you also might try e-bay - I managed to complete my sterling which had been discontinued for more than 20 years - started with 6 place settings and ended up with 24 - probably total cost for the e-bay items was less than $1000. the magic word is STERLING, rather than just 'silver' or 'silver plate'.

Antique sterling silver is absolutely beautiful and the quality is unmatched in anything made in the last 30 years. Mixing patterns can result in a charming and fascinating table. There are great and beautiful bargains to be found on ebay, at antique stores, malls and shows.

The hand engraving on monogrammed pieces is stunning.

If you can go to an antique mall, you will find some great pieces to look at and to help you find some styles you like. Compare the heft and handles of older versus newer pieces. I love to think of the stories they tell and the conversations they have heard.

I use a mixture of old pieces every day, particularly teaspoons. I like to think I am having coffee with my aunt, my grandmother, my great grandmother or sweet mother.

And yes, the magic word is "sterling." Some older pieces will say "coin" as they are made from melted silver coins. They are equally awesome.

Have fun!!!

Ok, thanks! I guess "Sterling" is printed on the actual silverware? I don't have anything silver so I've never seen that. If it's silver plated would it explicitly say that on the piece also? I'm going to start looking this weekend. Maybe have some in time for Thanksgiving!

Strayer - We don't have sterling, but my wife inherited silverplate flatware. She immediately declared that it would be for everyday use and we have done so for over 20 years. It really makes a difference when eating, mentally. There is something about eating with silver that elevates your mood. Your mind thinks, "Wow, I'm eating off of silver." Every time. You can't help it.

We are slowly wearing out our set and I've been checking around for a replacement. There is lots of silverplate available that is quite affordable but not much sterling, unfortunately. I would love to switch if I could find some that I could afford.

rmtdoug, in case your silverplate happens to be from Oneida, just be aware they have a lifetime warranty. My dad sent back my parents silverplate after 50 years and they replated it and sent it back!

Anyone have suggestions for how to determine what a particular stye/pattern's name is? I also have a (terrific) Reed & Barton set that could use a few more place settings; of course they don't make this style anymore, and a glance through eBay listings didn't turn up any that looked like it. Knowing the name for this style would make it much easier to track down used ones (or occasionally, unused new ones made long ago).

lee676 - Try this link. Click on the blue bar on the left for pictures. Good luck. I gave up looking for our pattern. There are so many!

Here is a link that might be useful: Reed and Barton silver patterns

If you post a photo of a piece, someone here may be able to identify it. If you do not wish to do that, you can send a photo to the Replacements link above, with any other information you can offer, like when you think it was first acquired, etc., and they will likely identify the pattern for you.

One thing to be careful of is that some patterns are made in both solid silver and plate. And they used to also be made in stainless, as well.

If there's a set, look at the tea spoons. You'll most often see worn off plate there, especially in the bowls of the spoons which get the most rubbing. With solid silver, the same places will be the shiniest because that's where the tarnish gets rubbed (that's not proof it's solid, just that rubbing does the opposite thing to both).

If there are markings, which there may well not be, any variation on the letters "EP" stands for electro-plate. Sterling can say "sterling", "925" (for 92.5% silver), or have a lion or lion's head, but silverware doesn't always have hallmarks. There are other formulations that are considered solid silver that aren't sterling. Sometimes there will be another purity number. Anything over 800 is considered okay, though sterling is the standard for quality.

If there are hallmarks but only the maker's, you can look them up on your phone. There are websites that list them. Apple had an app.

If a magnet sticks, it's plate, though not sticking isn't proof that it's solid.

So, I was looking for a picture of the sterling lion and found this:
AntiquesExpert :

Okay . . . tricks of the trade when you don't have any books. 1. Familiarize yourself with all hallmarks and always carry a loop. If you're unsure about the marks or there are none . . . . 2. solid silver is generally flexible and silver plate is not. If it is a spoon, it should have some give. 3. Generally solid silver is lighter than silver plate . . . this is because silver is expensive. 4. Smell it . . . if it is silver plate you can generally smell the base metal. Sterling or 800 doesn't generally have a smell. Flatware was made out of silver initially because it was realatively sterile/clean. 5. The powder test. I'm a gal so I've always got some powder on my face. I'll rub my face against my hand and then run the spoon or bowl, etc against the powder. If it has some silver content, then you'll get a black mark on your hand where the tarnish has rubbed off. Be careful with this trick though because silverplate will also tarnish, but it is a good starting point. Gold will generally do the same thing.

Mixed lots are great sources of cheap silverware since you don't mind mixed. Often a set for eight or twelve will have been divided between several heirs, and the silver will be dumped in a drawer with other random flatware. A mixed box could have a couple of settings, or three forks or something.

It sounds like a fun treasure hunt. Have fun!

lee676, I've had LOTS of stuff identified my sending a photo to replacements.com. They have always been able to identify my pieces, even things that I thought would be impossible. You can upload a photo to their research email address. Go to their website, instructions are there.

plllog,

"always carry a loop"

Thank you so much for that post! So educational.

What is a loop?

Strayer, you're most welcome! A loop is actually a "loupe", a monocular magnifier. Otherwise known as a "jeweller's loupe". I was scanning for content and didn't pick up on the misspelling in the quote. It's for seeing the wee little markings. :)

I looked on Oneida's website and it looks like they don't sell silver-plate anymore. Does anyone know if they still honor this re-silvering deal? If so I might be able to find an old silver-plate set and send it to oneida for re-silvering.

Anything that's sterling silver will be marked with the numbers 925 somewhere on the back.

This post not only got me motivated to get my DM's silver out and polished, but I went on Ebay and found 12 sterling teaspoons in a pattern that I love. I had a few pieces of my own in that pattern and always planned on a complete set but life always seemed to get in the way. I will complete the set bit by bit but I have a great start.

I searched on Replacements and it took me about 40 minutes to identify the two sets that came from my DM. I spent most of last evening and a good bit of this afternoon polishing them. Both sets are sterling so I feel like I hit the jack pot! The one is Stieff, Engraved Betsy Paterson (my favorite) and the other is Gorham, King Edward.

There are so many lovely silver patterns. I always lean towards the more ornate ones.

Thanks rmtdoug and strayer - my set is actually stainless steel, 18/8 or 18/10 can't remember which, but nice ones. But a search through 18 pages of replacements.com's Reed & Barton stainless flatware didn't turn up mine. I'll get a picture up (here and to Replacements) soon.

Amusing story from when I bought them - I was moving into my first real home in the early '90s and thus needed all sorts of housewares, including utensils. So I went to the nearby department store to buy some, and was surprised at how expensive they were. But I needed utensils and if that's what they cost, it was either that or disposable plastic. What I didn't know was that department stores sell their silverware in two locations - the pricey stuff is in the section with the fancy china, intended to be trotted out for special occasions, and the much cheaper flatware intended for routine use is on a different floor in a casual-housewares section, and I was looking in the wrong place. To me they were forks, spoons, and knives, and it never would've occurred to me they were segregated by price.

But after I learned that and looked at several sets of "casual" or "everyday" flatware, everything seemed so thin and flimsy compared to what I saw in the "fine china" section, so I decided to splurge on a stainless Reed & Barton set for everyday use - they just feel so substantial in your hand and are comfortable to hold, as well as looking elegant. The purchase was made somewhat more affordable by the Woodward & Lothrop liquidation sale but were still expensive even at 60% off. But it's a treat using them every time I've ate at home for the last 20 years and I've never regretted spending so much for everyday-use flatware and they've held up beautifully. I just wish I had more of them now.

This post was edited by lee676 on Sat, Oct 4, 14 at 22:45

David Koen has a point here :).

Guys, this is a zombie thread. Half the posters are gone now.

Necrospam editors working in tandem.