Copy of `JW Mercantile - Silver glossary`

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JW Mercantile - Silver glossary Category: Agriculture and Industry > Silver trading Date & country: 07/03/2016, USA Words: 49

Souvenir Spoons Silver Glossary Rule
A spoon that is made to celebrate a place, time, person or an event. These spoons are usually made from STERLING silver. The most prolific time for production of these classic souvenir spoons was before 1920. Dating from the 1890 to the 1920s these spoons were stamped, embossed, cast and etched. Many spoons have hand engraving on them to personalize them for the owner. Most collectors believe this engraving does not decreases the spoons value, but in fact, may give it more character.

Silver Standard Silver Glossary Rule
Two methods of marking are used. STERLING Silver = 92.5% pure and Britannia = 95.8%.

Skyline Silver Glossary Rule
A spoon handle that has material removed to make the scene more realistic looking.

Repousse Silver Glossary Rule
A design that was beaten into the spoon from the reverse side.

Reverse Silver Glossary Rule
The side of the spoon not seen when eating. The back side of the spoon.

Reissue Silver Glossary Rule
When a spoon is made in recent times from the old dies.

Plain Bowl Silver Glossary Rule
A spoon bowl with no marks from engraving or other method.

Plique-a-jour Silver Glossary Rule
Enamel that is created without metal backing. This method creates a stained glass window effect.

Plated Spoon Silver Glossary Rule
A spoon that has been plated with a thin layer of silver material. The base metal of the spoon can be made of several different kinds materials.

Pennyweight Silver Glossary Rule
A measure of silver in the troy ounce system. Sometimes seen on the back of plated items to show the quality of silver used with an item. 20 pennyweights = 1 troy ounce.

Obverse Silver Glossary Rule
The side of a spoon you see normally.

Old Spoon Silver Glossary Rule
A spoon made before World War I.

Pewter Silver Glossary Rule
Pewter at one time was primarily a lead alloy. It is now made of at least 51% tin, copper and antimony composition, similar to Britannia Metal.

Nickel Silver Silver Glossary Rule
An alloy composed of 65% copper, 28% nickel and 17% zinc. It does NOT contain any silver.

Niello Silver Glossary Rule
Black alloy is used to fill in the engraved design.

New Spoon Silver Glossary Rule
A spoon made after World War I.

Manufacturer Silver Glossary Rule
Company who actually made the spoon.

Makers Mark Silver Glossary Rule
Marks on a spoon that are used to determine the manufacturer of the spoon. Used on American silver.

Handle Silver Glossary Rule
The part of the spoon that is held when the spoon is used.

Hallmark Silver Glossary Rule
Marks on a spoon that are used to determine the date, purity and the maker of the spoon. Used on English silver.

Heel Silver Glossary Rule
A reinforced area on the back of a spoon where the stem attaches to the bowl. Sometimes this area may be decorated.

Gold Wash Silver Glossary Rule
Gold is applied to a portion of the spoon for contrast, usually to the bowl.

Finial Silver Glossary Rule
the shape at the end of a spoon's stem. This may be a figure or other detailed object.

Figural Silver Glossary Rule
Full length figure that appears on most of the spoon handle. Two versions (FF) appears on most of the handle and (ff) which appears on some of the handle.

Embossed Silver Glossary Rule
The pattern left on the spoon when it is stamped by the die. Normally shows on both sides of the spoon.

Engraved Silver Glossary Rule
Tools are used to cut an image into the surface of a spoon.

Enamel Silver Glossary Rule
A finish that is baked onto a spoon, usually glossy, that adds color and details.

EPNS Silver Glossary Rule
Abbreviation for Electro Plated Nickel Silver. Often found on silverware or hollow-ware like teapots or heavy serving bowls.

Etched Silver Glossary Rule
An image left on the spoon by using acid.

Cut Out Silver Glossary Rule
An area on the spoon handle that is cut away to highlight a detail or feature.

Die Stamping Silver Glossary Rule
Method in which most spoons today are made. Sheet silver is formed into the spoon when the sheet is hit by steel dies.

Coin Silver Silver Glossary Rule
An alloy composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. Coin Silver melts at 1615 degrees F.

Britannia Pewter Silver Glossary Rule
A present day alloy of 91% tin, 7% antimony and 2% copper.

Cast Silver Glossary Rule
Making of silver items by pouring molten metal into a mold.

Champleve Silver Glossary Rule
Enamel that has ridges between the colors to separate them.

Citrus Bowl Silver Glossary Rule
A bowl that is more pointed than normal for eating fruit, like grapefruit.

Cloisonne Silver Glossary Rule
Enamel that incorporates thin strips of metal are used to separate the colors.

Colonial Pewter Silver Glossary Rule
An alloy composed of tin and lead.

Commercial Silver Silver Glossary Rule
A term applied to commercial grade silver which is 99.9% fine silver. Pure silver melts at 1761 degrees F.

Collector Spoons Silver Glossary Rule
Spoons that are made fairly recently and collected by tourists and other collectors. Usually not expensive, they are made from materials other than STERLING or other silver material and may be made from a base metal coated with nickel silver (EPNS) or silver plated.

Bright Cut Engraving Silver Glossary Rule
A decoration made by cutting out a portion of the silver to leave a shiny surface.

Brittannia Silver Silver Glossary Rule
The legal standard for silver in England from 1697-1719. Composed of 95.8% silver. It remains a present day legal standard.

Bowl Silver Glossary Rule
The normally rounded portion of a spoon where the contents are placed.

Stem Silver Glossary Rule
The long usually slender part of the spoon.

STERLING Silver Silver Glossary Rule
An alloy composed of at least or 92.5% silver and no more than 7.5% copper. This means that 925 parts of every 1000 parts are pure silver. The copper is added to the mix to make items made from silver strong because without the copper content the silver is relatively soft. Silver is valued for its strength and bright shiny characteristics. STERLING Silver melts at 1640 degreesF.

Troy Ounce Silver Glossary Rule
Imperial system for measuring precious metal or stones. Troy Ounce = 20 pennyweights and Troy Pound = 12 Troy Ounces.

Stamped Silver Glossary Rule
Marking a spoon with high pressure.

Terminal Silver Glossary Rule
The end of the spoon which is at the opposite end from the bowl. Inscriptions are usually engraved here.

Trademark Silver Glossary Rule
A mark on a spoon identifying the maker of the spoon that has been registered with the government.