Learning Sterling Silver

When I first began to collect jewelry, I gave away any silver I happened upon. Well, actually, not just when I first started collecting. Up until about a year ago, I either left it where I saw it, or gave it away to any fellow jewelry snoop who was looking at the display that I was. Many seemed to search for it, so one day I finally began to pay it some attention. And then began to bring more than the odd item home.

1) Group of “plain” sterling brooches. The oval is a Bond Boyd. All marked .925. Largest is just about 2” round; oval is 1 3/4”; smallest is about 1 1/4.”
2) Dutch scene bracelet. This was found in Calgary, Alberta. Not marked. Tests .925. Likely an immediately post-WWII item. 6 1/2” x 1.”
3) Some interesting bracelets. All marked .925. Bracelets are my most-often discovery.
4) Some ears. These have maker or artist marks, as well as .925 on their backs. Rectangles are 1 1/4” x about 3/4.” I do not know what the stone is. Circle top earrings are about 2 1/4” long. The stone in the heavy third set may be black onyx.

I am firm to my rule of nothing silver over $4.

But I have a new respect for shiny silver jewelry.

April 2022.