At the Navigli market in Milan, R once bought a spoon as black as coal for 5 euros. The stall owner waved his hand and said: “It’s just a broken iron spoon, take it away.”
After polishing it at home, it was a sterling silver shell spoon from the George III period in the 18th century, with a current market price of at least 150 euros.
The core of silver hunting lies in: Using Information Asymmetry. When the seller doesn’t understand, or is too lazy to clean, it is your chance.
1. Embrace “Black Silver”: The Blacker the Truer?
Many novices think that black things are dirty or broken. In fact, Heavy Tarnish is often the protective color of sterling silver.
- Black of Sterling Silver: Usually presents a dark gray, purple-black or even rainbow-colored oil film feeling. This is the color of silver sulfide.
- Bad of Silver Plating: After the silver plating layer wears off, what is exposed is usually the brass color (Base Metal) or gray-white lead-tin alloy underneath.
Practical Tips
If you see an object that is black all over, but does not reveal the yellow copper base, and feels heavy, pick it up and smell it. If there is a heavy copper rust smell, put it down; if there is no smell or only a faint metallic smell, take it! Go back and wipe it with silver cream, it is the moment to witness a miracle.
2. Look for “Invisible” Hallmarks
In English-speaking countries, everyone recognizes “Sterling” or “925”. But in continental Europe, many high-purity silver items do not write these two words.
- French Minerva: French old silver usually has only a tiny profile of the goddess (Minerva) stamped in a lozenge or barrel-shaped frame. Because it is too small, it is often ignored by sellers. French silver is usually 950 purity, higher than 925!
- Austro-Hungarian Diana: A five-petal flower-shaped frame with the head of the moon goddess Diana inside. This is the mark of Central European silver between 1867-1922.
- Egyptian Lotus/Cat: If you see marks similar to hieroglyphs (usually three rows), it may be Egyptian 800 or 900 silver.
Hunting Point: In flea markets in the UK or the US, these “foreign goods” are often treated as unidentified metals.
3. Disguise of Hanau
We mentioned German Hanau silver in previous articles. Emphasize it again here, because it is a disaster area for hunting.
Hanau silversmiths like to stamp Pseudo-Marks. They look like a row of messy graphics (moon, crown, flower, lion-like animal), but do not conform to the standards of any country.
- Many sellers will think: “This mark doesn’t look like a serious country, it must be fake/silver plated.”
- Actually: This is likely expensive Hanau handmade silver from the late 19th century. As long as the craftsmanship is exquisite and the weight is heavy, even if the mark is wrong, it is worth a gamble.
4. Forgotten Functional Pieces
Some things are extremely low in price because modern people no longer use them, but their silver content and craftsmanship value are extremely high.
- Button Hooks: Tools used to fasten gloves and boots in the past. The handle is usually exquisite sterling silver relief, which can now be used as a necklace pendant.
- Sugar Tongs: Now everyone uses sugar packets, this claw-shaped silver tong is no longer used. But they are usually solid heavy silver, very suitable for changing into bracelets.
- Cigar Cutter/Matchbox Cover: Men’s accessories usually use more materials, and it is very cool to transform them into pendants.
5. Ping Test
If you really can’t find the mark, you can try to flick it gently (only for solid silver without inlay).
- Sterling Silver: The sound is crisp, long, and has a resonance similar to wind chimes.
- Silver Plated/White Copper: The sound is short, dull, like knocking on wood.
Final Advice: Carry a silver cloth with you. After obtaining the seller’s consent, wipe hard in an inconspicuous place. If a warm white luster like moonlight is revealed under the black mark, congratulations, you may have just earned back the travel expenses of this trip.
