Dear Ask Reni,
I have acquired a very old gold piece, and I understand that someone at one time tried to clean it with bleach. Now it has no luster like gold should have. How do I clean it up to look new again?
Thank you,
B.G.
I would have to see your piece to assess the damage. Please take it to a knowledgeable jewelry who understands surface treatments on antique metals.
Unfortunately, the natural patina is probably lost. A light buffing (on the polishing wheel) by a professional, may help your piece look better.
Careful attention is needed when working with delicate filigree, wire work and intricate patterns of chasing and engraving.
Good Luck,
Reni
Reni,
I picked this bracelet up at an antique swap meet, and I have no idea of the value or origin of this piece. Can you help me? I will send around 2 more detailed pictures if it is any help.
Thanks,
R.R.
Cameo bracelets, such as this one, were made in Italy since the era of the "Grand Tours."
The cameos are carved from shell and appear to be mounted in silver. To verify, check the clasp and see if there is an "800" or "925" mark. If the clasp is marked "585", "750", or 14K or 18K, then of course your bracelet will have a higher value.
I have a similar bracelet brought back from a tour my grandmother took in the late 1950's I cherish it!
The values of these cameo plaque bracelets, in silver, retail around $100.00. When mounted in gold, the values start around $300.00 and rise.
Thanks for sending pictures!
Reni
Dear Reni,
I received a silver set from my mom's estate. I was wondering if you could help me determine it's approximate value. The tray is not of the same set. It is marked FBRogers Silver Co. silver on copper and has the number 6719.
It is about 2 feet long from handle to handle and 14 inches wide. The set consists of a coffee pot, sugar and creamer, and a pot that has a lid my mom called a waste pot.
The markings on the bottom say MF'D&Plated by Reed & Barton number 2764 design pat. Feb. 1, 1876. I know it came from my mother's aunt, so it is at least 50 years old. Also, the letter S is on the front of each piece except the tray. Any info you could give me would be appreciated.
Thanks,
DJ
It sounds like you've inherited a lovely silver plate coffee set. Trays were often made by different companies then the sets placed upon them.
The FB Rogers Silver Co. was founded in 1883 in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. The company relocated to Taunton in 1886. It became a division of the National Silver Co. in 1955. Reed and Barton is the oldest independent silver company in America, and also hails from Taunton Massachusetts.
The patent granted in 1876 shows when the design was first made years later. The "S" on the front of each piece is probably a family monogram. Reed and Barton used a symbolic dating system on the holloware from 1928 - 1957. You can find these symbols in the Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers 4th Ed. by Dorothy T. Rainwater and Judy Redfield, Schiffer, 1998.
Coffee and tea sets in good condition, with pretty trays can retail between $300 and $500 in antique stores.
Enjoy your set.
Reni
Dear Reni,
I have seen several different chatelaines, and I was wondering if you could tell me what the usual implements attached to a chatelaine were? I believe I have bought some sterling silver reproductions - but I'd like to know more about this group of pieces before buying an old one.
Thank you so very much,
K.M.
Chatelaines were decorative clips worn at the waist. Various implements (called trinkets or toys in England) were suspended from these clips by chains. The tradition evolved from chains worn by medieval keepers of keys.
The implements were usually of a practical nature, and might have included: clasp for keys, note pad, pencil, scissors, needle case, (and other sewing tools) match safe and / or coin purse.
Chatelaines were in and out of fashion through the late 18th and 19th centuries. The materials used to construct them help to date them. Early chatelaines were sometimes made of cut steel and wedgwood cameo plaques. A little later example may have been made of Berlin iron. Some were gold. For long Victorian mourning periods, jet, vulcanite and lacquered metal were used. Silver is the most common substance. Even Princess Alexandra was seen wearing a silver chatelaine.
Chatelaines and the trinkets that hung from them are fun to collect, and can be found in many price ranges.
Reni