We have created this page about sterling silver as a resource for sterling silver collectors, whether they are novices or seasoned, so that they may learn the history of their sterling silver pieces and might determine what they are worth. We also wanted to provide a place where collectors could find auctions of sterling silver items.
Sterling silver is a very highly collectible commodity and has been throughout history. Whether it is passed down in a family through generations or is bought for a bargain at a yard sale, one should know the value and significance of their sterling silver pieces.
The nice thing about sterling silver as a collectible item is that it is also very functional. As long as it is cared for properly, you don't have to lock your sterling silver away never to be used. It will pretty much retain most of its value whether you use it for a dinner party or if you keep it in a display cupboard.
The nice thing about collecting sterling silver these days is that there is so much information at one's fingertips in the age of the Internet. You can make informed decisions about what type of sterling silver to collect, you can do research on prospective buys, or you can determine the value of your sterling silver pieces, all from the comfort of your home.
We have compiled a list of books and websites that will help you in your hobby (or your business) of collecting sterling silver. We will continue to expand our lists as we find new books and websites we think are worth a look.
For the most part, people who deal in antique sterling silver online are honest and trustworthy. However, it pays for you to know a few “rules of the game” and do some research before you buy or sell silver online.
You need to know how to avoid the dishonest merchants, how to proceed when there is a disagreement or misunderstanding between buyer and seller, where you can turn if a deal goes sour, and to know any legal obligations you have. There are some good general auction guides that we recommend for those of you who may be new to online auctions. The Federal Trade Commission has an auction guide you can view by clicking here. Ebay, the largest online auction site in the world, also has an excellent help section. They also have “live help”, which means there is a live person available to answer your questions through an internet chat.