Chloe Adams
Silver candlesticks have been made since the 17th century and are often sought after by collectors due to their historical and cultural significance. With such a long history, there are many factors to consider when determining the value of silver candlesticks, including their age, condition, craftsmanship, and weight. Silver candlesticks can be made from sterling silver, an alloy that contains 92.5% pure silver, or they can be silver-plated, which means they are made by coating a base metal with a thin layer of silver. To tell if a candlestick is made of silver, one can look for hallmarks or imprints, usually indicating 925 for sterling silver, or perform a magnet test, as silver is a non-magnetic metal.
Characteristics of Silver Candlesticks
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age | Older candlesticks are more valuable |
| Condition | Dents, bruises, splits, and other damage will impact the value |
| Maker | Candlesticks made by specialist silversmiths are more valuable |
| Design | Larger sets are more valuable, but all candlesticks in the set must match |
| Weight | Solid silver candlesticks are heavier and more valuable |
| Hallmarks | Real silver candlesticks are often stamped with a hallmark indicating silver content |
| Magnetism | Silver is non-magnetic; if a magnet sticks, the candlestick is not silver |
| Odor | Sterling silver is odorless; if you smell sulfur or metal, it is not sterling silver |
| Residue | Rubbing a soft white cloth on the candlestick should leave black residue if it is silver |
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What You'll Learn
Check for hallmarks or stamps
Silver candlesticks, like other silver items, should have hallmarks or stamps that indicate their purity, manufacturer, and date of production. These stamps are typically found on the bottom or base of the candlesticks, but if there is not enough space, they may be located in less conspicuous areas, such as the back or underside.
The hallmarking system has evolved over the centuries, but there are some standard components to help you identify silver candlesticks:
Maker's Mark
The maker's mark indicates the factory or manufacturer of the silver item. Since 1739, the standard composition of a maker's mark has been the initials of the maker. Prior to this, the first two letters of the maker's last name and, sometimes, objects or devices were used. Luxury brands often have unique stamps. For example, silver candlesticks made in the United States may be marked with the word "sterling," while a silver-plated piece may be marked with the manufacturer's name, such as "Rogers," "Wilcox," or "Reed and Barton." English silver is typically marked with a lion icon in an oblong box, while Scottish silver bears the mark of a thistle or a lion rampant, and Irish silver has a crowned harp mark.
Date Letter or Patent Date Stamp
The date letter indicates when the item was assayed, not necessarily the year it was made. Each assay office used a unique date chart, with each year represented by a letter of the alphabet. A pocket hallmark guide can help you interpret the date letter. The patent date stamp, on the other hand, indicates when the design was patented, providing a starting point for estimating the item's age.
Town Mark or Assay Office Mark
Each assay office, where items are tested for purity, has its own distinct mark, known as the town mark. For example, the town mark for London is a leopard's head.
Purity Marks
Marks indicating the purity of silver may include stamps such as 925, "900," or "800," indicating the level of purity in parts per 1000. For example, "925" or "92.5%" indicates sterling silver.
Duty Mark
A duty mark, depicting the king or queen's head, was introduced in 1784 to show that the appropriate duty had been paid for the silver item's purity. This mark was used until 1890.
Additional Marks
Other marks may include the figure of Britannia, indicating a silver purity standard of 95.83% from 1697 to 1720, or an "ESPN" stamp, indicating the item was created in the United States and is electroplated nickel silver.
It is important to note that hallmarks can be challenging to locate and may require a magnifying glass for better visibility. Additionally, the interpretation of hallmarks can be complex, and reference books or specialist dealers can provide further assistance in understanding the specific marks on your silver candlesticks.
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Perform the magnet test
To perform the magnet test, place the candlesticks on a wooden or non-magnetic surface. Then, slowly move a magnet closer to the candlesticks. If the magnet attracts the candlesticks, it is not made of silver. Silver is a non-magnetic metal, so if a magnet attracts the candlesticks, it means they are made of a different metal.
It is important to note that the magnet test is not a definitive test for silver. Other non-magnetic metals, such as copper, brass, and lead, may also not be attracted to a magnet. Additionally, some silver-plated items may be magnetic, depending on the base metal used. For example, if the base metal is copper, the item may not be attracted to a magnet, but if the base metal is nickel silver, it may be magnetic. Therefore, the magnet test can only rule out the presence of silver in an object.
To increase the accuracy of the magnet test, it is recommended to use a suitable magnet that shows the diamagnetic effect. Neodymium magnets are an example of powerful magnets that can be used for this purpose. However, keep in mind that if the magnet is too heavy or too weak, it may not work effectively.
In addition to the magnet test, other methods can be used to identify silver, such as checking for hallmarks or imprints, examining wear and tear, and performing a polishing test. Combining multiple tests can provide a more conclusive determination of whether an item is made of silver.
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Assess the condition
Silver candlesticks have been made since the 17th century and were originally designed for the upper classes. They come in various sizes, from pairs to dozens. The older and rarer your candlesticks are, the higher their value is likely to be. However, the older the candlestick, the more likely it has been repaired over the years. Therefore, the condition of your candlesticks will impact their value.
Dents, bruises, and splits are all obvious forms of damage that will affect the value of your candlesticks. The sconces of silver candlesticks can sometimes be damaged when a candle has been forcibly removed. In some cases, cleaning your candlesticks can reduce their value.
To determine the condition of your silver candlesticks, you can perform the following checks:
- Check for hallmarks: Silver candlesticks will likely have a hallmark on the bottom or handle. Look for a stamp or imprint that indicates the purity of the silver, the manufacturer, or the silversmith. The hallmark "925" or "sterling" is often stamped on sterling silver items to indicate their silver content.
- Magnet test: Silver is a non-magnetic metal, so if a magnet sticks to your candlestick, it is made of a different metal. However, this test only rules out the presence of silver, as other non-magnetic metals like gold and copper can also be non-magnetic.
- Smell test: Sterling silver is odourless. If you can smell sulfur or a distinct metallic fragrance, your candlestick is not made of sterling silver.
- Polishing test: Rub a soft white cloth on the candlestick as if you were polishing it. If no black residue appears on the cloth, it is not silver.
- Weight test: Solid silver candlesticks will be heavier than silver-plated candlesticks, which often have plaster or cement on the bottom for added weight.
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Weigh the candlesticks
Weighing your candlesticks can be a useful step in determining whether they are solid silver or silver-weighted. Silver candlesticks have been made since the 17th century, and their value depends on several factors, including their age, condition, and the maker. Weighted silver candlesticks are usually worth very little money because they contain only a small amount of silver.
If you are trying to determine whether your candlesticks are solid silver or silver-weighted, you can try to estimate their volume and weight. For example, if your candlesticks are 1 1/2" in diameter on average and 10" high, the volume would be 17.7 cubic inches or 290 cubic centimeters. At 10.5 grams/cc, they would weigh roughly 3,000 grams. If your candlesticks are solid silver, they should weigh close to this estimate.
Another way to determine whether your candlesticks are solid or weighted is to look for markings on the base. Silver-weighted candlesticks are often marked with "Sterling Weighted" or a similar indication. If your candlesticks do not have any markings, they are more likely to be solid silver.
It is important to note that the weight of your candlesticks is not the sole factor in determining their value. As mentioned earlier, the age, condition, and maker of the candlesticks also play a significant role in their valuation. Additionally, if you are planning to sell your candlesticks, it is recommended to sell them as candlesticks rather than settling for the scrap price of silver.
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Check for odour
Sterling silver is odourless. If you can smell sulphur or a distinct metallic fragrance, then the candlesticks are not made of sterling silver. The item could be silver-plated, but a scent indicates that it is not made entirely of sterling silver.
To conduct the sniff test, first, wipe and dry the candlesticks, especially if they have been sitting in a particularly smelly area. Then, hold the item up to your nose and smell it carefully for a few moments. If you sense a strong smell, the item may not be sterling silver.
Copper is a common alloy in sterling silver, but 925 sterling does not contain enough to make a smell. Lower purity sterling silver (like 350) may have a faint coppery smell.
If you are still unsure of the candlesticks' authenticity, you can test them by scratching them. Get a silver acid testing kit and scrape off a little of the silver. Place a drop of nitric acid on the scratch and use the provided colour chart to determine the silver content of the candlestick. If you do not want to test the candlestick yourself, you can take it to a jeweller who will conduct the test for a small fee.
Additionally, sterling silver is 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper or zinc. Silver items will be stamped with the numbers 925, 900 or 925/1000. They may also be stamped with other markings by the silversmith or a foreign country's assay office denoting the purity of the silver. An absence of markings is a sure sign that the item is not sterling silver.
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Frequently asked questions
Sterling silver candlesticks are made from an alloy that contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. To identify whether your candlesticks are made of silver, look for a hallmark or imprint. Sterling silver candlesticks are often stamped with the hallmark "925" to indicate their silver content.
A silver object that is to be sold commercially is, in most countries, stamped with one or more silver hallmarks indicating the purity of the silver, the manufacturer, and other details. You may need a magnifying glass to find it.
Try the magnet test. Silver is a non-magnetic metal, so if a magnet sticks to your candlesticks, it means they are made of a different metal.
Yes, sterling silver is odourless, so if you can smell a distinct metallic fragrance, then it is not sterling silver. You can also try rubbing the candlesticks with a soft white cloth. If no black residue appears on the cloth, they are not silver.
Silver-plated candlesticks are made by coating a base metal (usually brass, copper, or nickel) with a thin layer of pure silver. Silver-plated candlesticks are significantly less expensive than sterling silver candlesticks and are more prone to scratches and tarnishing.
