The Style of Antique Jewellery

The Style of Antique Jewellery

Antique jewellery is popular with collectors and people looking to wear something unique and stylish.

You can find a great selection of antique jewellery at most antique fairs and there is always a chance to pick up a valuable piece that has been missed by the experts.

Generally, an item is classed as an antique if it is over 100 years old. You can date silver and gold pieces manufactured in Britain by checking out the hallmark.

The style of antique jewellery varies a great deal depending on its age and is characterised by the fashions and trends of the day.

Georgian period 1714-1837
This period produced high quality and individual jewellery with a high level of craftsmanship. Style often draws on natural elements such as birds, leaves, flowers and feathers and often features added embellishments of bows and pear shaped drops. Georgian jewellery tends to be expensive owning to its age and the quality of materials used. Gemstones are popular in this period.

Victorian period 1837-1901
Romanticised natural shapes, personally engraved silver pieces and grisly memorial jewellery such as lockets with the hair of a loved one, typify the Victorian age. The influences of the far-flung empire also gave some jewellery an oriental flavour. This style called Japonaiserie was very popular and was produced in Britain.













Edwardian period 1901-1915
An affluent period for many, platinum was used for the first time in jewellery. Diamonds and pearls had become more readily available in the early 1900s and became popular. In general, Edwardian style jewellery is light and delicate and sometimes draws on Art Nouveau and Japanese inspired designs. Tiffany and Faberge produced high value pieces much sought after today.

Art Nouveau style 1890-1915
Art Nouveau style runs alongside much of the Edwardian period but can be classified as a style of its own.
Both natural and mythical subjects are popular in Art Nouveau jewellery. Butterflies, dragons, dragonflies, insects and sea creatures, stylised women with long flowing hair are typical subjects. The art Nouveau style looked to nature for inspiration and semi precious stones such as pearls were very popular.

Art deco style 1920-1935
Strong angular cubist shapes and bold contrasting colours epitomise the jazz age. High quality jewellery pieces made of platinum and palladium could be decorated with diamonds and contrasted with the new plastic material Bakelite or onyx jet for dramatic effect. Cartier were the leaders in art deco jewellery design




gold and silver hallmarks main site

There’s gold in them hills! - Gold prospecting in the UK

Although the idea of gold prospecting seems to belong to a bygone age of American history, you might be surprised to know that plenty of people find gold in Britain.

The best places to find gold in the UK are in the rivers of Wales and Scotland but many people have also been successful in the rivers of Cornwall and Devon.

One experienced UK prospector has reported finding gold in 58 rivers throughout the Britain.

Scotland is particularly rich in gold and it can be found in many areas, particularly in the Lowther Hills around Wanlockhead and Leadhills where gold panning has been popular for centuries.

In North Wales, gold panning has become restricted. Gold panners in North Wales have been told they could face a £20,000 fine or a jail sentence if they look for the precious metal in the region's rivers, after damage to the rivers Mawddach and Wen near Dolgellau, Gwynedd.

If you are planning to prospect for gold in North Wales you need to contact the British Gold panning association and find out about obtaining a licence.

Devon is a popular location for gold prospecting. You should approach the landowner for permission before you start.














Many people find that a quick training course in gold panning is a good place to begin and there are short residential courses on offer in Scotland.

Alternatively, why not visit Dolaucothi in Dyfed Wales?  This is the site of the earliest gold mine in Britain and now, no longer used commercially it is a visitor’s centre run by the National Trust.

You can rent the pans and equipment and enjoy a taster session for a day.
Although you probably will not get rich gold prospecting in the UK, it is a fun and enjoyable hobby in the great outdoors.

You never know what you will find and people have been lucky.

The British streams and rivers still contain gold and every year winter storms bring more to the surface. It is still there for the taking, and the gold pan is the best way to find it!



gold and silver hallmarks main site

Calendar List of yearly wedding aniversary gifts

A wedding anniversary is a good excuse to enjoy a special day with your loved one and recapture some of the old romance with a gift. However most of us do not really bother with it until there are few years under the collective belt.

 The 25th anniversary is the first significant anniversary that most people celebrate but all the anniversaries can be special if you want them to be.

Lists of wedding gifts vary from country to country but here are just a few of the most well known.

1st Anniversary is an important romantic date. In the US this is traditionally marked with paper gifts or clocks and in the UK we celebrate with cotton. You don’t get much for a year. You have to earn the more expensive stuff.

2nd year, Traditionally cotton in the US or chinaware. The UK celebrate this one with paper.

3rd year, Leather – maybe the need to spice things up a little. Or you can give crystal or glass

4th year,  Linen, silk, fruit and flowers or appliances if you are in the US.

5th year Traditionally wood or you can try the modern US recommendation of silverware

6th year Iron in the US or sugar in the UK – this anniversary is not great for gifts.

7th year Wool, copper and bizarrely desk sets.

8th year, Bronze, salt linen and lace.

9th year, Pottery copper or leather goods.



10th year, Tin or if you wish to follow the Americans, a Diamond!

15th year, Crystal is the traditional gift in both the UK and US with an added option of watches in the US

20th year, China or you could go for platinum because you’re worth it!

25th year, A major anniversary that everyone can agree on both sides of the pond. The Silver wedding anniversary should be celebrated with silver gifts.

30th year, The Pearl Wedding anniversary.

35th year, Coral or Jade.

40th year, Across the board it’s the Ruby Wedding. After all this time you deserve something extra specially nice for your efforts.














45th year, Sapphire.

50th year, Golden Wedding anniversary. Something to be celebrated after 50 happy years.

55th year, Emeralds.

60th year, Diamonds are forever. It probably seems like it.

65th year, Blue Sapphire

70th year, Platinum.

Where to find Welsh Gold?

Welsh Gold – there’s lovely!

The British Royal Family have been using Welsh Gold for their wedding rings since 1923. The custom began with the marriage of Elizabeth Bowes Lyn, the Queen Mother, to the Duke of York later King George VI.

More recently, Kate Middleton’s wedding ring was also made from Welsh gold.

However, Welsh Gold goes way further back in time than that. The Celtic chieftains and early Welsh Princes wore Welsh gold as a mark of rank, over 2000 years ago and it was prized by the Romans invaders who began mining it in 75AD.

Welsh gold was relatively easy to extract by hand because it forms like coal, in pure seams making it easy to see and process without advanced machinery.

Welsh gold is found in both North and South Wales and there are three gold mines in Wales today.



In North Wales, the gold producing region forms a narrow band that starts in Barmouth and reaches to Snowdonia.  Here you can find Gwynfynydd Gold Mines in Dolgellau and Clogau Gold Mine in Bontddu, near Barmouth.

There is only one gold mine in South Wales. This is Dolaucothi, near Pumpsaint Dyfed. This mine was operated by the Romans until 300AD and was subsequently abandoned until the 1800s and finally closed in 1938.

Today none of the welsh gold mines operate commercially. The Gwynfynydd mine stopped full production in 1998 and although it is believed that there is a high level of gold still to be found under the hills of Snowdonia, environmental issues prevent this happening.

The Clogau Mine used to be a high producing gold mine until it fell into neglect. It was bought by a private company called Midas Exploration in 2010 who aim to make it fully operational in the future but so far this has not happened.

The National Trust purchased Dolaucothi in 1941 and today you can visit the workings of the mine and buy gold pieces from the shop. Many visitors also enjoy trying their hand at gold panning

How to Spot Fake Roman Coins at online Auctions

As many as 30 - 40 % of ancient coins sold on ebay, at the moment, are modern fakes.
There are a lot of  fake or reproduction coins on ebay at any given time.
The problem is how to spot them. The decent people who are selling them will let you know if they are fakes or copies, 

Read The description carefully
If the item description says things like "I think it's Silver", or "Silver/nickle" then be aware that silver roman coins were only made from silver.
If the description reads something like "Selling off my grandfathers collection he purchased some years ago". Then check the items carefully and ask questions as this can sometimes be a dubious description

As regards reproduction coins the better sellers will mark this in the listing but if you read something like
"There's writing round the edge, I think it's Roman" then ask questions.

Check the pictures
The letters WRL stamped  somewhere on the coin tells you it's a genuine reproduction.
"WRL" is Westair Reproductions Ltd. They are based in Birmingham, UK. People often buy these known replicas's as "space fillers" filling in the gaps of Emperor's etc in their collection until they can buy the genuine coin. They are also sold in museums as souvenirs and are often bought for schools to help with Roman studies.

Check for the word "copy" stamped somewhere on the coin, normally on the reverse. This seems obvious but can be overlooked in an auction as the stamping can be very small. Some times you will see a tiny letter "r" stamped on the reverse of the coin. The letter R stands for reproduction., this obviously tells you the coin is a modern reproduction, as does a tiny letter "R" stamped on the coin, again, usually the reverse. Some modern replica coins also have a letter 'S' stamped on them, again it is normally to the reverse of the coin, and the letter 'S' is snake like in appearence.

If you see the words REMO NEDA stamped on the outside of the coin then this also tells you that the coin is a modern copy. Some fake coins have no markings on them at all to tellyou they are fake so unfortunately the only way to gain experience in this is to handle as many coins as possible to guauge the true age of the coin you are interested in.

Check the sellers ID
Sometimes coins are made from moulds taken from a genuine coin. These will all have the same wear and scratch and wear marks on them making them look too similar. beware of private user IDs and coin sellers selling amazing low offer coins for £9.99 over and over again. If you see this and want to check the seller out then you will need to have a long look at the sellers feedback.

Sometimes coins are made from moulds taken from a genuine coin. These will all have the same wear and scratch and wear marks on them making them look too similar. beware of private user IDs and coin sellers selling amazing low offer coins for £9.99 over and over again. If you see this and want to check the seller out then you will need to have a long look at the sellers feedback.

BBC bargain hunt tips - What is the Nanking Cargo?

The mysteriously named “Nanking Cargo” is often mentioned on “Bargain hunt” the BBC TV antiques show. The Nanking cargo name on a porcelain object can make a profit winning item for the Bargain Hunt teams (or at least wipe it should wipe its face!)

So, what is the “Nanking Cargo?”

Well fine bone China had to be imported from the Far East in the 16th century and this trip although long and often dangerous was well worth it for those brave enough to undertake the voyage

The Dutch East Indiaman, Geldermalsen was one of those ships barely 5 years old when she ran aground and sank on January 3, 1752 at Admiral Stellingwerf Reef.

The reef which hides just below the surface 12 miles from the island of Bintan in the South China Sea claimed the ship and crew and deposited the cargo at the bottom of the sea where it was thought it would forever remain.

However in 1986 Michael Hatcher discovered the sunken ship and her treasure.  The Geldermalsen held over 150,000 pieces of porcelain and 147 bars of gold (125 were recovered). 

Never before had such a complete cargo of porcelain been recovered from a VOC (Dutch East India Company) wreck.  The porcelain and gold cargo was sold at Christie's Auction House in Amsterdam as under the name "Nanking Cargo".

Identify and Buy Retractable Silver Swizzle Sticks

Often a winners bargain on BBC's "Bargain Hunt" is the silver swizzle stick.

The Silver Swizzle Stick is a device one can keep in a pocket or bag and use for stirring ones champagne or cocktial at a moments notice.

It is shaped a little like a tiny egg whisk and can be made of materials including plastic, glass, silver, gold and other precious metals.

The tiny spines are retractable on more expensive models and this helps protect them when not in use.

This Sterling Silver retractable Swizzle Stick is used for removing bubbles from your glass of champagne.

Swizzle Sticks have been popular for over 100 years to remove bubbles from sparkling wines.
Another use is to mix ice and spirits together.


Buy this Retractable Silver Swizzle Stick now

Size 90mm - 3.5"

£32.14
See More Information
Retractable Silver Swizzle Stick
by

JB Silverware

BBC bargain hunt tips – How to spot Real Silver?

Silver appears on every episodes of the TV show “Bargain hunt” on BBC TV. If it’s real silver then it can be valued by its weight alone. A piece of good silver can realise a good price at auction and can make a profit and even a winning item for the Bargain Hunt teams (or at least wipe its face!)

But . . .


How do you spot real silver?

Many things for sale that purport to be silver are not real silver. Sometimes these items are sold as silver by a lack of knowledge on the part of the seller and sometimes other motives are unfortunately used.

A knowledge of hallmarks is important here and I would suggest that you take a look at this hallmarks guide featured at the bottom of this page.

Also you should learn the terms below that refer to silver styled items that are often mistakenly advertised as silver.

Sterling Silver Plate
Sterling Silverplate – This doesn’t exist even though you will see it advertised because sterling is an alloy it is unsuitable to use as a silver source for plating.

E.P.N.S
This stands for Electro Plated Nickel-Silver. Common variations on this are E.P., E.P.C. (Electro Plate on Copper), E.P.W.M. (Electro Plate on White Metal), E.P.B. or E.P.B.M. (Electro Plate on Britannia Metal).

(See More about this)

Any item marked with E.P. is silverplate and as such has no precious metal value.

Nickel Silver
Nickel-Silver is a common base metal alloy consisting of nickel, copper and zinc. There is no silver in it whatsoever. The name was coined because the metal is silvery in colour and polishes to a shine. Other names used for the same metal are: Alpacca or Alpacca Silver; Brazil Silver; German Silver; Peru Silver; New York Silver; New Silver; Nevada Silver; Norwegian Silver; Silverite; Venetian Silver; Potosi Silver; and Sonora Silver to name just a few.

(Nickel-silver is strong and durable but it doesn't have any metal value).

White Metal
White Metal - This is a silvery coloured alloy usually containing a mixture of antimony, tin, lead, zinc, and cadmium. In the U.K. the British fine arts trade uses the term 'white metal' to describe all foreign items which do not have official British Assay Office marks struck on them.

Brittania Metal
Britannia Metal is a non-silver base metal similar to pewter which is popular because it is durable and polishes to a silver-like lustre. This is an alloy of 93% tin, 5% antimony and 2% copper. Not to be confused with 958 Britannia from Great Britain.




BUY A SILVER TESTING KIT

BBC bargain hunt tips - What is Royal Crown derby?

Derby ceramics are often a profit maker on episodes of the TV show “Bargain hunt” on BBC TV. The Crown derby pieces are always popular in the show and are still sought after by collectors.

The Royal crown Derby name on a piece of porcelain can make a winning item for the Bargain Hunt teams (or at least wipe its face!)

One of the important things to be aware of with these ceramics is the continued history of the company from its small beginnings to its failures and successes.

In 1745 André Planché, a Huguenot immigrant from Saxony, settled in Derby, where he met and formed a business partnership with William Duesbury, a porcelain painter formerly at the Chelsea porcelain factory, and the banker John Heath.

This was the foundation of the Derby Company, although Planché disappeared from the scene almost at once, and the business was developed by Duesbury and Heath.

A talented entrepreneur, Duesbury developed a new paste which contained glass frit, soap rock and calcined bone. This enabled the factory to begin producing high-quality tableware. He quickly established Derby as a leading manufacturer of dinner services and figurines by employing the best talents available for modelling and painting.

In 1770, Duesbury added to the high reputation of Derby by his acquisition of the famous Chelsea porcelain factory in London. He continued the factory and products of this period are known as "Chelsea-Derby."

In 1784 he demolished the buildings and transferred the assets, including the stock, patterns and moulds, and many of the workmen, to Derby.

In 1773, Duesbury’s hard work was rewarded by King George III, who after visiting the Derby works granted him permission to incorporate the royal crown into the Derby back stamp, after which the company was known as Crown Derby.

In 1786, William Duesbury died, leaving the company to his son, William Duesbury II, also a talented director, who besides keeping the reputation of the company at its height developed a number of new glazes and body types.

However William Duesbury II died in 1797 at the age of 34 and the company was taken over by his business partner, an Irishman named Michael Kean, who later married Duesbury's widow.

Michael Kean was not such a good director and many of the highly skilled workforce, and many eminent artists left. Although others produced good work under his management, including Moses Webster, a flower painter who replaced Billingsley, Richard Dodson (who specialised in birds), George Robertson (land - and seascapes) and Cuthbert Lawton (hunting scenes).

The best-known artist of this time was William Pegg, a Quaker, famed for his striking and idiosyncratic flower painting. He started in 1797 but his religious beliefs led him to the conclusion that painting was sinful and he left in 1800. He returned in 1813, but left again in 1820.

Despite much good work, the Kean period was disruptive and the company suffered financially.

William Duesbury III, took over the factory when he came of age in 1791, and Kean having sold his interest to his father-in-law, William Duesbury's grandfather, named Sheffield, the concern continued under the name of Duesbury & Sheffield.

In 1815, the factory was leased to the firm's salesman and clerk, Robert Bloor, and the Duesburys left all control to him. Bloor borrowed heavily to be able to make the payments demanded but proved himself to be a highly able businessman in his ways of recouping losses and putting the business back on a sound financial footing.

Under Bloor the company produced works that were richly coloured and elegantly styled, including brightly coloured Japanese Imari patterns, generally featuring intricate geometric patterns layered with various floral designs. These designs proved extremely and lastingly popular, and Derby continued to thrive.

In 1845, however, Bloor died, and after three years under Thomas Clarke, the Cockpit Works were sold and the factory closed in 1848.

A group of former employees set up a factory in King Street in Derby, and continued to use the moulds, patterns and trademarks of the former business, although not the name, so keeping alive the Derby traditions of fine craftsmanship. No mechanical processes were used, and no two pieces produced were exactly the same.

In 1877, an impressive new factory was built by new owners of the Crown Derby name in Osmaston Road, Derby, thus beginning the modern period of Derby porcelain. Crown Derby’s patterns became immensely popular during the late Victorian era, as their romantic and lavish designs exactly met the popular taste of the period.

In 1890, Queen Victoria appointed Crown Derby to be “Manufacturers of porcelain to Her Majesty” and by Royal Warrant granted them the title "The Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company".

In 1935 Royal Crown Derby acquired the King Street factory, thus reuniting the two strands of the business.

In 1964, the company was acquired by S. Pearson and Son and became part of the Allied English Potteries Group, later to be joined by Royal Doulton.

BBC bargain hunt tips - What is Moorcroft Pottery?

Moorcroft pottery is often a profit maker on episodes of the TV show “Bargain hunt” on BBC TV.

The Moorcroft pottery is one of the last remaining independent art potteries in the world today and still operates out of the original brick factory in Stoke-on-Trent.

It is currently fashionable and sought after in the antiques trade and with the Moorcroft name on a piece of pottery can make a winning item for the Bargain Hunt teams (or at least wipe its face!)

Originally founded in 1897 within a larger ceramic company, James Macintyre & Co. Moorcroft pottery soon made its mark on the world. Designs came from 24 year old William Moorcroft who personalised each piece of pottery produced with his own signature or initials.

In 1912 the inevitable split occurred. William took his team to a new factory in Sandbach Road where Moorcroft pottery is still made today. The money for this venture came from Liberty, the famous London store and Liberty continued to control Moorcroft until 1962.

In 1904, Moorcroft won a gold medal at the St Louis International Exhibition and followed up the achievement with further medals and commendations, culminating in the appointment of the Moorcroft Company as Potter to HM The Queen in 1928.

In 1962, the Moorcroft family bought out Liberty, but Moorcroft seldom prospered. Finally, in 1984, the family sold the bulk of their shares on the open market. After several material shareholder changes in the mid-1980’s and early 1990’s, Moorcroft is now controlled by the Edwards family, and has been since 1993.

In 1993, Rachel Bishop joined Moorcroft as only its fourth designer in almost a hundred years. Just 24 years old, she was soon to see sales of her work flourish. Following that success came the Moorcroft centenary in 1997, and in the same year the Moorcroft Design Studio was formed, originally comprising no less than eight designers with Rachel at their head.

Recently the world profile of Moorcroft has grown internationally, both in quality and in perceived value. Auctioneers Christies hold a dedicated Moorcroft sale each year. In 2001, Sotheby’s New York holds a major sale comprising many pieces of Moorcroft pottery. The Victoria & Albert museum has joined many other national museums with significant pieces of Moorcroft pottery in their permanent collections.

Today, Moorcroft leads the world of art pottery with its own distinctive design style. With added value coming from the skills and craftsmanship of a dedicated workforce, Moorcroft is selling more of its magnificent ware all over the world today, than it did even in its previous heyday in the mid-1920’s.

BBC Bargain Hunt tips - What is Murano Glass?

Murano glass is often a profit maker on episodes of the TV show “Bargain hunt” on BBC TV. Murano glass is the beautifully clear or highly coloured glass products that can fetch a pretty penny (or at least wipe its face!)

Widely desired by glass collectors all around the world, items made from this elegant glass are beautiful and useful. But with so many reproductions and modern re issues, how can you be sure that the glass object you are fondling is the real thing.

Just what is Murano Glass?

Murano glass is a product of Italy that is found on the Isle of Murano, just north of Venice, Italy. It is specifically treated to create highly prized glass objects. Colourful and unique, Italian Murano glass is manufactured without the use of nickel or lead. Murano Glassmakers have been using their techniques to produce art and jewellery from glass from the beginning of the 9th Century. The same methods are still followed by Murano glassmakers today.

Murano glass comes only from Italy; it is high in clarity, with vibrant colours that appear to have an inner glow. Glass products range from crystal clear, to vibrant reds, blues, and yellows. All Murano glass will be high in clarity, and of good quality. Imitations are easily identified by their poor quality, heavy weight, and little or no clarity.

Items listed as Murano Style have been made in other countries.

Objects made from authentic Murano glass are constructed by hand, which makes them rather expensive. Each piece is a rare design, and no two objects are the same. Using glass that has turned from liquid to solid, glassmakers can shape it into artistic designs before it is completely hard. When the object has been shaped, it is given a unique number of authenticity. This number is usually located on the bottom of the object and can be seen with a magnifying glass. Modern day glassmakers use holographic stickers that contain the authentic number. Genuine Murano glass objects are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Murano glass is fairly low maintenance and only requires an occasional gentle dusting. Use a damp lint free cloth to remove marks or stains, and glasses or stemware should be washed by hand with mild liquid soap and warm water. Cracks or chips can be ground, surfaced, and repaired by a glass specialist with extensive experience in repairing damaged glass.

How to make a silver testing kit using Schwerter's solution

When Potassium dichromate is dissolved in an approximately 35% nitric acid the solution created is called Schwerter's solution. Schwerter's solution is used to test for the presence of various metals, notably for determination of silver purity.

Cautions:
Avoid breathing the fumes and avoid skin contact. Nitric Acid, Hydrochloric Acid, and Aqua Regia are extremely poisonous and corrosive !

Since the testing procedure requires the use of dangerous acids, special care should be taken not to spill or allow acid to touch the skin.

If acid comes in contact with the skin, wash the affected area with a mild soap and water as quickly as possible.

NEVER POUR WATER INTO ACID.  YOU MUST POUR ACID INTO WATER!!

You will need:
Nitric Acid (C.P.),
distilled water to mix the test solutions.
Potassium dichromate salts for making Schwerter's testing fluid.

Two acid bottles with ground glass stoppers and applicators
A Test stone
A graduated cylinder is recommended to measure the required proportions.
These items may be obtained from laboratory or chemical supply houses or local drug companies.

Mix 10 grams potassium dichromate salts with the ¾ oz. nitric acid plus ¼ oz. distilled water.
NEVER POUR WATER INTO ACID.  YOU MUST POUR ACID INTO WATER!!

Testing Silver
Scratch the article with a file and apply a drop of Nitric Acid. If it turns green, it is plated. If a cloudy cream, it is sterling or better. (Some silver contains less than 90% fine silver).

Testing Base Metals with Schwerter Salts
File a notch in the test piece and apply a drop of Schwerter's Solution in the notch.
Observe the colour reaction.

Schwerter's solution indications
Brass - Dark Brown
Copper - Brown
Nickel - Blue
Palladium - None
Gold - None
- Silver Pure - Bright Red
- Silver .925 - Dark Red
- Silver .800 - Brown
- Silver .500 - Green
Lead - Yellow
Tin - Yellow

Buy a silver testing kit for £12.95

5 Myths about Gold

The leprechaun is an Irish folklore fairy in Irish folklore. The leprechauns spent their time making shoes and making mischief.

Leprechauns store away all their coins in a hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

If a leprechaun is captured by a human, the Leprechaun has the magical power to grant three wishes in exchange for their release.

Below are 5 other myths in circulation about gold

Gold is the Best Metal to Invest in.
This myth depends on the price. Over time silver and platinum have all taken similar paths of value.
Over time, silver has beaten gold by 25%, platinum by 5%. At different points one metal has risen much higher, while another has been left behind. You aren't always stuck with just gold.
Verdict: Myth

Gold is Safe Haven
In twenty years (1980 to 2000) the purchasing power of Gold fell by 80%. In 2008 the value fell by 33%
These facts dont represent a safe harbour from the storm. Gold is only an asset and is no safer than any other.
Verdict: Myth

Gold has Kept It's Purchasing Power
If gold had "kept its purchasing power over 3,000 years," that would merely mean it produced a real, inflation-adjusted return of 0%. Inflation-protected government bonds will give you inflation plus 2%.
Verdict: Myth

Gold is Overvalued
There is simply no evidence for this.
Verdict: Myth

Gold is the Only real money
The only thing that makes anything "money" is that other people—meaning "society"—accept it as such.
If Anarchy should come, then tinned food becomes a form of money. Moral: Always have plenty of tinned food stored in your cupboards.
Verdict: Myth

How to turn Lead into Gold - Alchemy 101

See more about gold and silver

Before Science there was alchemy. Alchemy was a mix of crafts between science and mysticism and is probably the foundations of Chemistry.

The highest aim of alchemy was to turn base metal into gold by using transmutation. The meaning of transmute is to change from one form or substance into another; to transform or convert.

Lead was the most common base metal used but the goal of transmutation was not achieved until 1972.

To convert lead into gold requires a physical process rather than a chemical one. Lead has an atomic number 82 and gold has the atomic number 79. The atomic numbers are defined as elements by the number of protons they possess.

Changing the element requires changing the atomic (proton) number. In a circular particle accelerator, magnetic fields accelerate particles moving in circular paths. The accelerated particle impacts a target material, potentially knocking free protons or neutrons and making a new element or isotope. Nuclear reactors also may used for creating elements, although the conditions are less controlled.

Nature creates new elements by adding protons and neutrons to hydrogen atoms. This process occurs naturally within the nuclear reactions of stars. The process is called nucleosynthesis and creates increasingly heavier elements.

Elements heavier than iron are formed in the stellar explosion of a supernova. In a supernova gold can only be made into lead. Because lead is stable, forcing it to release three protons requires a vast input of energy, such that the cost of transmuting it greatly surpasses the value of the resulting gold.

However it is practical to get gold from lead ore.

The minerals galena, cerussit and anglesite often contain zinc, gold, silver, and other metals. Once the lead ore has been pulverized, chemical techniques are sufficient to separate the gold from the lead.

BBC Bargain Hunt - Charles Hanson Auction Profile

Gold and silver questions? See the site

Charles Hanson…We say sale!

Charles Hanson is a popular figure on BBC TV’s Bargain Hunt both as an antiques expert and as an auctioneer. With his a quirky dress sense – often appearing in suits that seem slightly too small for him and his youthful looking appearance. This belies the fact that he is well respected in the antiques world and is the owner of his own auction house that he set up in 2005.

Auctioneer and expert valuer Kate Bliss also works there.

Presenter Tim Wonnacott often refers to Charles Hanson as “Carlos”, for no particular reason that anyone can see, but somehow the name suits him.

Although Charles is good fun as an expert and no slouch at finding great bargains for his team, his auctioneering style is very entertaining.

The first thing you may notice is his rather hoarse voice. He shouts encouragement at his audience and has a range of great phrases. Look and listen out for “We say sale” and lots of, "I’m in your out”…type expressions all delivered amidst copious sips of water. His obvious enthusiasm is infectious and he often perseveres to get good prices.

The mysterious Miss Hornblower is becoming a feature of the Charles Hanson auction house when the Bargain Hunt Team is in town. Perhaps she always goes or perhaps she is lured by the cameras. Whoever she is, this smartly dressed audience member has been the saviour of many a bargain hunt team offering a dodgy item for sale!

Why have gold prices risen so much?

Which ever way you view it gold prices are still rising. Rising debt, falling monetary value, default, war, weak housing, stumbling markets and rising interest rates.

These are the current situations that proliferate at the moment.

It can be argued that the current gold price rise started in 1971, when President Richard Nixon took the United States off the Gold Standard. 

At that time Nixon realized foreign countries were hoarding more gold and silver-backed currency than could actually be redeemed by the precious metal's reserves that America held

.

Gold could be traded again and in 1971 gold prices were fixed at $42.22 per ounce but by February 1972, moved to $48.26. 

From there a steady rise would ensue to levels 17 times greater than this initial trading price. On January 21, 1980, the gold spot price reached $850 an ounce.

With interest rates rising some 10 percentage points in 8 years, we learn the correlation between the rises in gold prices was a compounded 33% for every rise of just one point in interest but during the same period

Stocks rose a mere 1%.

With all the crop of current Monetary, debt, war, weak housing and economy problems gold prices are going to be an attractive proposition for medium to long term investors.

It is even possible that gold will become the most sought after hedge available.

   'Buy Gold and Silver Safely' #kindle #ebook - UK Version

BBC Bargain Hunt - David Harper Biography

David Kingsley Harper (born 1967) is a British TV antiques expert and published writer.

He is an expert on BBC's Bargain Hunt; Put your Money where Your Mouth Is, Cash in the Attic and The Antiques Road Trip.

He has featured on Through the Keyhole, Ready Steady Cook and presented pieces for The One Show, Inside Out and Country file Summer Diaries.

Although David is from the north of England and lives in Teesdale in South Durham, he also spent several years growing up in Africa and went to school in Zimbabwe.

From the age of 18, David spent 20 years self employed in Business. In his time, he has owned and run many businesses from printing companies to property developing - in fact since the age of 18 he’s been self employed.

In this time he has in fact had one job in the corporate world, where, because of his antique expertise was offered the position of sales director of a Thai/UK PLC company which imported antique style rubber wood furniture from the far east.

At 25, David was one of the youngest sales directors of a PLC in Britain.

David found his way into TV through his lifelong passions for antiques and classic cars. His first TV role was in 2005 as presenter of Channel 4's Natural Born Dealers.

Since then David has presented shows for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 including Country file, Inside Out, Bargain Hunt, The Heaven & Earth Show, The One Show, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is and Natural Born Dealers. He’s also appeared on Celebrity Ready Steady Cook and has been featured on Through the Keyhole.

Antiques have always been David’s passion and he has been an antique dealer for more than 20 years, working with collectors, dealers and designers from all over the world, exhibiting at international top end fairs, writing for newspapers and magazines and buying for private and corporate clients.

He’s bought and sold individual items from a few pounds to tens of thousands of pounds. David has over 40 internationally published antique articles to his credit and has an antique shop in the historic market town of Barnard Castle in County Durham (home of the Bowes Museum)

David Harper Antiques.

BBC Bargain Hunt - Anita Manning Biography

Classy Scot Anita Manning is a long term expert on BBC's Bargain Hunt, Antiques Road trip and Flog it.

Her infectious enthusiasm for her subject has made her an ambassador for the antiques profession.

Anita's always been interested in antiques, and has been buying and selling them for forty years. She runs an auction house in Scotland with her daughter Lala.

Anita's specialist area is paintings, and her favourite era is 20th Century Scottish contemporary artists.

Anita Louisa Manning was born on the 1st December in Glasgow.
Growing up in the 50s and 1960s Anita Manning was not a fan of the contemporary design and trends and preferred the Victorian look and feel of her grandparents’ house.

As a child her father used to take her to the auctions. She grew to love this environment with its treasures, excitement and its sense of theatre

Anita enjoyed finding and wearing stylish 20, 30,s and 40,s clothes to go out in at the weekends,

Anita Says: “I need colour in my life”.

In 1988 her skill at both buying and selling antiques led her to establish Great Western Auctions Ltd in Glasgow and was probably Scotland’s first female Auctioneer.

Anita was made for this stage; she has not been labelled the 'Golden Gavel' without cause. The toast of the Fred McAuley Show (every morning on Radio Scotland) she puts her talents to good use.

Anita Pulls in the punters and makes the auction user friendly and pure theatre.

Anita says:
“There has been an elimination of the rarefied atmosphere of the bigger auction houses”. You can relax and enjoy the sale and bid for anything from a box of pots from a house clearance to a Georgian Bureau”.

Spend a fiver or five thousand - you will always go away happy and be back for more.



Jackson's Hallmarks: English, Scottish, Irish Silver and Gold Marks from 1300 to the Present Day - Save £1.39 (20%) £5.56 from Amazon

This handy-sized guide is the most accurate and up to date on the market. and has been the bible for for scholars, dealers and collectors, selling in hundreds of thousands.

This edition contains complete cycles of silver marks for all the important Assay Offices, with variations shown for gold, platinum, Britannia Standard, import marks, etc, and has been updated to 1991 to include current assay marks.  See on Amazon UK

BBC Bargain Hunt - Phillip Serrell Biography

Plain talking Grammar School boy Phillip Serrell was born and brought up in Worcestershire where he is now established as a professional auctioneer.

Well known for his television appearances on various antiques programmes, Philip is also an accomplished after dinner speaker and a welcome attraction with his new show 'An Auctioneer's Lot' in which he recounts enthralling stories drawn from his life experiences in sport, antiques, auctioneering, broadcasting and writing books.

He graduated from Loughborough College of Physical Education as sport was, and is, an enduring passion...

“If I had devoted as much time to academia as I did to cricket and rugby I would surely have been, at the very least, a double Oxbridge first,” he says.

However, life as a sports teacher was not for him and he took up the post of trainee auctioneer in Worcester, working in the local livestock market – much of the time spent cleaning out the sheep pens…

“a task, some would maintain, I was suitably qualified for, as by then I was completely unemployable.”

From there Philip re-qualified as a Chartered Surveyor, specialising as a Fine Art and Antiques valuer, which in turn resulted in him running his own auctioneering business from his saleroom in Malvern and office in Worcester.

Philip recorded a regular antiques slot on his local BBC radio station, and from there he went on to become a resident ‘expert on BBC's Bargain Hunt’ He makes several BBC television antiques programmes – namely Bargain Hunt and Flog It!

More recently he has also appeared on the 20th Century Roadshow, presenting their classic car feature – a role which he embraced as it allowed him to indulge his other passion for motor cars.
During the course of the past twenty years he has uncovered a huge range of priceless (and worthless) antiques, and along the way, met, done business with and befriended folk from some odd corners of English Life.

In his first book, "An Auctioneer’s Lot", he brings to life a world in which the most valuable antiques frequently turn up in the most unlikely places – and accompanied by the most colourful characters - from a priceless 18th Century dining table hidden away in a decaying potting shed, to that of a tattooed gypsy with a penchant for Worcester Porcelain.

An Auctioneers Lot by Phillip Serrell

Welcome to Gold and silver hallmarks

Please Subscribe to this blog.

follow me on twitter

Blog site for buying and selling gold and silver for fun and maybe even profit.