AboutPeter Coombs Expertise I have over 20 years experience in all forms of handmade jewellery, flatware and holloware in precious metals involoving forging, fabrication and finishing.
Also works in aluminium for spectacles and trophies etc
Experience Many Past/Present clients including:
Elton John/Spectacles, la Eyeworks/Spectacles & Jewellery, Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide/Lord Mayoral Medallion, and many others
Expert: Peter Coombs Date: 2/6/2008 Subject: silver
Question QUESTION: I have alot of sterling silver spoons, butter plates etc can these items be melted to form a bar and what about the purity.
thanx
Mike
ANSWER: Greetings,
Yes you can melt them down to make bars, but they will be sterling silver - if you are certain that is what they are....if any of the metal is not, then you will taint the entire batch.
If you want fine silver ingots - 99.999% pure - then you need to have it refined and take the refined metal in ingot or granule form.
Refining itself is a difficult and messy job and for the small fee that you might be charged its' well worth getting it done professionally.
Hope that helps. P
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QUESTION: thank you, but could you answer a couple more does all sterling have to be stamped sterling, I ask this because some pieces only have numbers stamped in with a marker and what do the numbers stand for.
thanx mike
Answer Hello Again,
In the truest sense of the word the only thing that should be stamped sterling is english sterling silver which will be accompanied by the lion rampant stamp.
I suppose it's a bit like calling Austalian Sparkling 'Champagne' when it's not from Champagne.
The numbers you are looking for is 925, which means the same thing.....but generally used world wide.
Hope that helps, P
Let me know if you need anything else, or if that isnt the # let me know what the markings are.
