Silver/White Metal

[Lonnie]

My wife has a candelabera that we thought was silver, on account of what we took to be its hall mark, however, on its valuation of �750-00, it says White Metal.

My question is, is there a difference, and if so, can anyone tell me what is is?. Thanks very much.

[sithlord]

From what I know from watching Antiques Roadshow, Flog It etc, it can only be classed as silver if it is hallmarked. Most foreign silver is not hallmarked,so even though it obviously is silver, valuer's have to cover themselves by describing it as white metal.

[spudqueen]

That's right sithlord, I took a necklace into the jewellers a couple of weeks ago to get a new holding ring put on and the receipt they gave me said 'yellow metal' even though it is a gold necklace as they could not find a hallmark.

[Scotman84]

If it is European, it may have a number marked on it, which is sometimes mistaken for a hallmark. the number indicates the 'parts per thousand' of silver eg 925 would mean very nearly pure. On valuation, the person has been unable to trace the origins of the marks, so is just covering himself.

[Lonnie]

Thanks all three of you, I didn't know, thats why I asked, and it seems you've covered it nicely, it was bought in Israel, so to all intents and puposes European, and it has a number, so Scotsman84, you have an extra star.

Thanks very much.