How Do You Recover Unreadable Hallmarks From Antique Sterling Silver?
The hallmarks on antique sterling silver are often nearly impossible to decipher. Decades or centuries of polishing, besides the fact that they are often very small to begin with, can make them almost illegible. There is a simple trick that professional appraisers and dealers use to unlock the secrets of hallmarks on antique sterling silver. Here’s how to do it. Locate the hallmarks on the antique sterling silver item in question. You will need a magnifying glass for this. English sterling silver has hallmarks on every removable piece. For instance, a teapot with a lid will have hallmarks on the lid, as well as on the body of the teapot, either near the rim or on the bottom. American sterling silver, as well as most other foreign sterling silver is usually marked on the bottom of holloware and undersides of flatware. French sterling marks are extremely tiny and are usually hidden somewhere in the designs. Remove a couple of pieces of the clear scotch tape and have them ready on the edg
