Nelson & Nelson Antiques

When Should You Consider Selling Your Antiques?

December 5, 2022 11:41 am

Archives : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver

Selling antiques is a tricky thing. You want to ensure you get a fair offer, but you don’t know if the demand will change or if the price will increase. So, when should you consider selling your antiques? Below you’ll find advice to help navigate these difficult waters.

Sell During the Hype

If one of your antiques is all over the news right now, it’s time to sell. If you have a baseball card, Wheaties box, or jersey of a retiring player, that’s a great time to sell. The demand for these players’ items increases because fewer will be produced if they’re not out of production already.

Look for news stories surrounding your particular antiques. If the item is trending on social media or in the press, sell them before collectors turn to different objects.

Consider Selling on Consignment

Consignment is a selling process when a shop displays your antique until they sell the item. You’ll receive payment once the shop sells the object. Plus, the consignment shop will take a cut of the earnings.

People use consignment shops because they don’t want to put in the work. It’s easier to hand over the antique and allow them to figure out pricing. You may be unaware of the demand and pricing of your item, and it’s easier than selling it yourself.

Receive an Offer You Can’t Refuse

It’s time to sell your antique when you receive an offer that’s right on the money. When you feel comfortable with the amount, there’s no reason not to sell.

You can hire appraisers to discover the correct price for your antique item. It’s important to note that factors affect the object’s price point. Is this item in demand? What condition is the antique in? Ensure you hire an appraiser you trust, and you can turn to multiple appraisers. You’ll have a good idea of what different professionals believe your item is worth.

Knowing when to sell your antiques can be a tricky process. If you don’t want to sell the item at all, don’t fold to the pressure. Antique items are also great to pass down from generation to generation.

If you’re wondering where to sell antique silver, turn to Nelson & Nelson Antiques. We have decades of experience buying and selling antiques. You may find something to catch your eye.

Best Practices for Restoring Your Sterling Silver Antiques

November 30, 2022 12:03 pm

Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling

Are you struggling with finding a way to clean your sterling silver items? Do you want to show off your antiques, but they lack the shine that impresses your guests? Don’t worry! Keep reading for best practices for restoring your sterling silver antiques.

Cleaning Your Sterling Silver Antiques

There are several options for naturally cleaning your sterling silver antiques. Natural ingredients will help prevent damage to your items.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Create a solution using half a cup of vinegar and two tablespoons of baking soda. Soak your silverware or silver pieces to bring back the shine.

Cornstarch and Water

Mixing water and cornstarch will make a paste that you can rub onto your silver antiques. Let the paste dry, then rub it away with a damp cloth. Voila! Your sterling silver will shine like new again!

Dishwashing Soap

Line your sink with towels to avoid scratching your silver items, and fill the sink with warm water. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the water. Ensure the soap you’re using is phosphate-free and not lemon-scented. Wash up your antique items and dry them off completely. Don’t allow them to air dry because water left on the silver can cause spotting or tarnishing.

Enlist a Silversmith To Restore Your Silver

Silversmiths know the best ways to restore your sterling silver. Their entire job focuses on this precious metal. If you’re nervous about polishing your pieces or harming your silver, hiring a silversmith will ensure proper care.

They have the necessary tools to make your silver shiny and new without causing damage. They’ll clean around all the intricate details that make polishing silver so challenging.

Storing Your Sterling Silver Antiques

If you’re going to store your silver items, there are proper ways to put them away. Otherwise, you could damage your antiques. For cutlery, invest in a cutlery chest lined with anti-tarnish cloths. Purchase silver cloth bags to store your larger antique items. Wrap them in archival tissue paper to combat tarnish.

Keep rubber bands, newspaper, or felt away from your sterling silver antiques. These products contain chemicals that create black marks and are almost impossible to remove. Avoid using plastic wrap on your items. The plastic can break down and produce condensation that will harm your silver.

Many people love collecting vintage sterling silver. Correctly caring for and restoring your sterling silver antiques means you can continue passing down the pieces to your children or grandchildren. Follow these best practices to keep your items looking their best.

5 Reasons You Should Consider Buying Antiques

November 2, 2022 10:29 am

Antiques

You may be skeptical about beginning an antique collection. Maybe you’re unsure how to care for the pieces or display them. Or perhaps you don’t know which vintage pieces are valuable.

There is more than one reason why you should consider buying antiques. Explore five reasons below and begin your antique adventure.

You Can Make Money

Many people enjoy collecting antiques because they can make money off of them. Once you gain knowledge and expertise, you can make a decent living by buying and selling antiques.

Learn which items are worth dropping a decent penny on and when you’re getting a deal of a lifetime. The value of antiques changes often. Stay current on the changing prices to know when it’s the best time to sell and buy.

It’s the Eco-Friendly Choice

Purchasing antique furniture or pieces is more sustainable than buying new ones. Fast furniture and fashion are harmful to the environment. Many Americans throw away furniture instead of repurposing it, which is a waste of money and materials.

Do your part and buy antiques. You’re reducing your carbon footprint when you invest in them.

Nostalgia Reasons

Have you ever walked into a space, and the smell reminded you of a specific memory? People purchase certain antique pieces because it reminds them of someone or something special. Clothing, furniture, accessories, collectibles, and toys are all examples of nostalgic pieces.

You can use the nostalgic effect to sell antiques if you decide to go that route. If you ever walk through an antique store and spot an item your grandparents owned, you may want to purchase it for nostalgia.

A Fun Process

Science proves that buying and collecting antiques fuels our pleasure centers. It’s a satisfying and fulfilling experience. The joy of finding an item you’ve been searching for and discovering the history of the piece feeds the desire to find more.

It allows you to build a community and find friends who enjoy collecting. They’ll understand the thrill of finding something valuable. Many collectors enjoy the fact that vintage items connect them to something bigger than themselves.

Use Antiques To Decorate

Another reason to consider purchasing antiques is for decor purposes. Antiques make the best decor for homes, especially when you have a Victorian or art-deco house design. Use antique vases to display gorgeous floral bouquets. Set your dining room table with your beautiful sterling silver tableware.

When you’re ready to begin your antique collection, start at Nelson & Nelson Antiques. We’re the premier antique silver dealers in New York City. Our knowledge and expertise in the industry will help you find the right pieces.

Can Sterling Silver Flatware Be Cleaned in the Dishwasher?

October 14, 2022 10:18 am

Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling

It’s a question that’s been around for many years. Many people will inherit a sterling silver flatware collection and will not know how to care for the items. Can you place the items into the dishwasher? Will it ruin the silver? Not to worry! This blog post will answer the question regarding sterling silver flatware and dishwashers. The answer may surprise you.

Let’s Answer the Question

You may have heard that you should never let your sterling silver flatware enter the dishwasher. It will ruin your beautiful pieces, but you can now believe otherwise. There are a few rules to follow to ensure your silver items keep their luster.

You should only put solid flatware and silver pieces in the washer. If any item contains anything besides silver, don’t put it in the dishwasher. This rule includes knives with hollow handles, pearl-handled items, and more.
Immediately rinse food particles off of the silver. Never allow sterling silver to sit with food waste on it. The debris could cause it to pit or corrode.
Don’t allow your sterling silver pieces to come into contact with other metals, including stainless metals. The marks it creates are incredibly difficult to remove. You can place them in the same dishwashing load, but ensure they’re in separate compartments.
Put the dishwasher on a normal or delicate cycle. You want to avoid high water temperatures.
Ensure you use an automatic dishwasher detergent free of citrus, lemon, and phosphates.

Dishwasher Drying Cycle: To Dry or Not To Dry

Opinions differ on this matter. Some experts say it’s okay, and others say to take out the sterling silver after the final rinse. If you do take the removal route, allow the silver to dry completely before putting it away. Use a soft cloth to wipe away the water from each piece. Try out both methods and use whichever you feel most comfortable with.

Concluding Thoughts

Using a dishwasher is much easier than handwashing, especially if you have a lot to clean after a dinner party. You can now safely and use this tool to clean your sterling silver.

If you’re looking for antique solid silver cutlery for sale, shop at Nelson & Nelson Antiques. You’ll find a wide selection of beautiful sterling silver antiques that will certainly impress your dinner party guests.

Foods You Shouldn’t Serve on Sterling Silver Holloware

October 6, 2022 12:45 pm

Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling

Using Grandma’s sterling silver tableware during a dinner party is a surefire way to impress your guests. However, if you’re unfamiliar with sterling silver holloware care, you could accidentally serve a particular food on a platter that could harm the silver. Keep reading to understand the foods you shouldn’t serve on sterling silver holloware.

Foods With Sulfur

Eggs and onions are two foods that contain a high amount of sulfur. The sulfur will stain and tarnish your sterling silver quickly. It will appear black because of the thin coat of silver sulfide. Egg-based foods such as mayonnaise and custards will have the same effect.

Salt and Sterling Silver

If you have a salt shaker that is entirely sterling silver, or the cap is, you’ll want to remove the salt ASAP when the guests leave. Use a non-lemon-based soap and a soft cloth to wash away any salt residue in the shaker. The salt can corrode the silver if you leave it too long.

If needed, a ten-minute ammonia bath in a closed container will clear the shaker of the black splotches. You can leave it in the solution for up to 30 minutes, checking every ten. If you can’t seem to remove the corrosion, contact a professional.

Highly Acidic Foods

Highly acidic foods aren’t friends with sterling silver. The acid affects the finish of sterling silver serving spoons, serving bowls, and platters. Avoid serving tomato sauces, vinaigrettes, and sauces and dressings with lemon or vinegar bases. Rinse your holloware off quickly if you do use them with acidic foods.

Cleaning Up

At your earliest convenience, clean off all the food waste left behind before it tarnishes your sterling silver holloware. Don’t put your sterling silver pieces in the dishwasher. Avoid using steel wool, scouring pads, and harsh detergents, and ensure the items are completely dry before putting them away for the next dinner party.

Now that you know how to avoid serving any of the above food on your sterling silver holloware. If you’d like to know where to buy silver holloware, start your search at Nelson & Nelson Antiques. Our wide selection means you’ll find just the antique you’ve been searching for. Nelson & Nelson Antiques is available online, or you can visit our store in New York City.

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