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Weights of Common Sterling Items

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Not all sterling items are created the same, even the same ones from the same manufacturer. Jewelry and other items might have to be separated into precious metal piles, gemstones, and everything else. Weighted or reinforced items must be disassembled to mine the silver.

So, that leaves silverware of every imaginable kind, plates, dishes, bowls, cups and containers, shakers...there is enough variety to keep busy for a long time.

Spoons - There are so many styles! From the lowly salt spoon of only a few grams to the massive ladles which may exceed a pound, this can get complicated. Older silverware tends to be heavier than the newer stuff. Without actually having the piece in hand, a regular teaspoon may weigh between 11 and 35 grams.

Forks - Starting with the humble nut pick-type implement of a few grams, expect several ounces in the large salad or serving forks. Without actually having the piece in hand, a regular dinner fork may weigh between 20 and 50 grams. Like with spoons, there are many fork varieties.

Knives - Weighted handles will have between 4 and 15 grams.

Cups, goblets, juleps, cordials - Small baby cups and cordials may tip the scales at 12 grams or less. Some massive tankards can push a kilo. Footed cups will usually weigh more.

Vanity items (sterling-sheathed or -handled brushes, combs, and mirrors) - It is difficult to remove the backing from a mirror without damaging it. Large-sized hand mirrors start at about 70 grams. Sterling handles on files, cuticle trimmers, and the like range from 3 grams to 12 grams. Larger brushes with handles can be as little as 25 grams, seemingly lighter than their mirror counterparts. Hand brushes have about 2-3 grams per square inch of sterling. Holders for regular combs are in the 10-20 gram range.

Weighted items - Creamers, sugars, salt and pepper shakers, candlesticks, coasters, vases, compotes, the list goes on. Small candlesticks are 10+ grams. Regular creamers and sugars can be expected to yield 30+ grams. Compotes will be 30 grams for the 5" wide versions and over a hundred for the big 9" pedestal bowls. Salt and pepper shakers - the 4-5" size will range from 15 to 30 grams each. Vases can be compared to a candlestick of the same proportions plus a little.

Plates, bowls, platters, etc. - An 8" plate from one manufacturer may be 250 grams while another is 100 grams. Plates up to 6" are going to be less than 80 grams for the most part. As the plate gets larger, the amount of silver increases in a non-linear fashion to support the expected torque loads from grabbing the edge of a fully loaded tray. Bowls are the same way. Footed or pedestal versions will have more weight.

Picture frames - Most can be removed from the backing and weighed. Those that can't, i.e. are applied or glued to the substrate, are quite thin. There is no formula, only ranges to work with. Super large frames are well over nine ounces. Tiny ones are just a handful of grams.

Miscellaneous - This will include sterling-rimmed chargers or plates, coasters with sterling rims, anything with a sterling item attached to non-sterling stuff. There is a huge range at any given size. Bigger is usually heavier but unless you can inspect it, assume it is lightweight.

Posted by M: October 3, 2015

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