Pure silver, is generally too soft for producing functional objects, so silver is usually alloyed
with copper to give it strength while maintaining the appearance of a precious metal. Sterling silver
contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% of other metals, usually copper.
Sterling silver was first used for commerce as early as the 12th century. The
first legal definition of sterling silver specified that 12 ounces of silver for
coinage should contain 11 ounces 2 1⁄4 pennyweights of silver and 17 3⁄4
pennyweights of alloy, with 20 pennyweights to the Troy ounce.
Silver objects sold commercially are usually stamped with one or more silver
hallmarks indicating the purity of the silver, the mark of the silversmith, and
sometimes the date and location of manufacture.
Silver flatware includes tableware items that are relatively flat and
constructed as a single piece. This includes silverware such as forks, knives
and spoons.
Silver holloware (hollowware, or hollow-ware) includes tableware such as sugar
bowls, creamers, coffee pots, teapots, tea sets, soup tureens, hot food covers,
water jugs, platters, butter pat plates, and other metal items that went with
the dishware on a table.
While sterling silver has intrinsic value for the silver content, antique sterling
silver can have far more value as a collectible item. The additional value depends on
the silversmith or maker, the quality of craftsmanship, the condition and age of the item.
Renowned silversmiths include:
- Buccellati
- Chrisofle
- Georg Jensen
- Gorham
- Puiforcat
- Tiffany
- Towle
- Wallace
Read the full history of sterling silver at Wikipedia
by clicking here.