May 2005 News from Readers

From a reader in Richmond, California, commenting on a hotine in the March newsletter: No, no! Yes, jewelry in a bowl would be very attractive, but nothing could be worse for the jewelry, especially vintage jewelry. It could get scratched and broken, and stones would be lost. Vintage jewelry should be treated as you would treat any good jewelry-carefully and lovingly. We agree.

A reader in Marietta, Georgia, read the article in the March newsletter about silver-plated napkin rings. She has a worn napkin ring and wants to know if re-plating decreases the value. Experts don’t agree. Repainting an old toy destroys the value, but re-plating a piece of Victorian silver plate is acceptable. Dealers tell us re-plated pieces sell for high prices; dingy, worn pieces are not popular. But do not re-plate old Sheffield plate, which was made by rolling silver on copper. The more modern method of plating deposits silver on the base metal using chemicals and an electric current. Re-plating old Sheffield silver destroys its value for a serious collector.