Jolly Old Sheffield

Did you know that there's a "silver" out there that isn't really silver, but is as good as gold to some collectors?
It's Sheffield silver - or more precisely Sheffield plate - a "technological revolution" in its day.
Old Sheffield Plate was invented in a small town in jolly Old England as a substitute for sterling. You can find it in shapes and styles that were almost identical to the sterling pieces of the same period.
Sheffield "silver" isn't rotten to the core - but it isn't silver to the core, either.
The Sheffield plate process takes very thin sheets of silver and hand-solders them over a core of copper. It's the age and rarity and beauty of Sheffield pieces that make them valuable collectibles despite this "core issue."
Old Sheffield Plate was served up in 1750 and popular for sixty to seventy years until a shocking discovery was made.
Electroplating!
When American silver "smartie" William Rogers discovered electroplating, an electrical process that could lay on microscopically-thin layers of silver cheaper and faster, Sheffield lost his sheen.
Electroplate was faster and cheaper - but not better.
Similar to sterling silver, Sheffield plate is known for its pleasing, warm color. There is a pride of craftsmanship in the creation of Sheffield. It requires artistry, patience, and the human touch
In short, Sheffield is a philosophy while electroplate is just a process.
So remember: Sheffield may not be sterling silver, but it's definitely a 'golden' collectible. And valuable, too!
Illustrated is a sterling silver bowl by Tiffany |