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How to Appraise a Silver Belt

While belts made entirely from silver were fashionable during the early 1900s in England, there have been numerous examples of belt buckles made from silver from several eras. To prevent dishonest craftsmen from passing off cheap, abundant metals as their more precious counterparts, all belts made from sterling silver are marked. Belts without marking will be either silver-plated or, at worst, stainless steel. Stainless steel belts are easily identifiable as the metal is magnetic.

Things You'll Need

Soft cloth
Magnifying glass
Hallmark identification guide

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the belt using a soft cloth to remove any tarnish. Stubborn tarnish can be removed using silver polish or a solution called "tarnish dip."
- 2
  Inspect the belt using a magnifying glass. Look for quality marks that indicate the metal is sterling silver. There are two marks to look for: the name or initials of the maker and the word "sterling,""ster."or 925 or .925. Make a note of the markings and any flaws or damage to the belt that will affect its value.
- 3
  Cross reference any hallmarks with those found on jewelry and jewelry history websites. There are also numerous books listing the manufacturers associated with various hallmarks. Silver hallmarks have been in existence since the start of the 14th century, so even experts need books to help them make valuations.
- 4
  Search for similar items on online auction sites to get a rough idea of the price to expect. Alternatively, a professional appraiser will value the belt for a small fee.

Antiquing