Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Dispute over value of damaged "Silver?" trays
Q. I recently catered a wedding where the Bride rented some "silver trays" from a rental company. Our kitchen staff, during the clean up, may have taken two handled trays thinking they were ours, when they were possibly the rental companies. The rental company now says those trays we took were silver trays and would cost over $400 to replace. We found the trays and delivered them to them. They said we ruined the trays putting them through a dishwasher. How do I know if they are silver? There is no stamp on the back of one, and the other says Kensington No 7846. They are not heavy, and are very scratched. I have looked in magazines and found comparable looking tray's for as little as $35. Am I being taken advantage of?
Leane B [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- McGregor Minnesota
2007
A. If you were in UK a silver item would have a legally required
"hallmark" or if plated probably be marked EPNS. (Electroplated Nickel Silver)
I think your best bet would be to phone plating shops in your area
(yellow pages) and ask if they have an XRF (X-ray fluorescence spectrophotometer).
Platers are helpful people, unlike rental companies; the test takes about a minute and does not mark the surface.
If it gets nasty, you should ask to see receipts, etc. to prove that the tray (not one like it)was purchased as silver
The probability of a pure silver tray is small $400 would be cheap And a plated tray much less
Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England
2007
A. Kensington products were manufactured from 1934 to 1970 by ALCOA in New Kensington, PA. Definitely not silver!
Aluminum is tarnished by alkaline detergents. Try a commercial aluminum polish (available in automotive stores) to clean and brighten. Or, a plastic scouring pad + very mild, aluminum-safe abrasive (Bon-Ami). Another method is to boil/simmer for 10 minutes in water containing 2 tablespoons cream of tartar per quart of water. Or likewise, with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar
[in bulk on
eBay or
Amazon] per quart.
A local anodizer may process through a deox/desmut solution for a nominal fee. Even better, have the items bright anodized.
For replacement, consider eBay: kensington_Aluminum
- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
2007
2007
A. If there's no mark on the back indicating "sterling" or "925", there's very little chance they are sterling silver.
If they are, indeed sterling silver, there is no damage a dishwasher could do which could not be repaired by buffing. Any plating shop, silversmith or jeweler could buff them.
Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Q. I have two serving platters that my parents used approximately 45 years ago or better when they were catering. I have two large platters left, one is oval with ornamental edging and designs on the platter itself and has handles, they other is rectangular and has the same edging and ornamentation as the oval platter. Both have handles. One says Kensington No. 7846 and the other says Kensington No. 7840. I am not sure exactly what I have here. If it is something I should keep or sell. Please advise. Thanks!
Michelle G [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
June 25, 2013
Hi Michelle. As Ken tells us, they are aluminum and thus have no intrinsic metal value. However, maybe you can help your kids with a fun science project for school, while assuring yourself, by determining the density of the trays the way Archimedes did? Aluminum is so much lighter than silver that this fun little project will be completely conclusive; and scientifically solving a mystery for their mother, involving their grandparents, might be a great way to get kids to embrace science :-)
The trays also seem to have no collectible value as we see similar stuff on eBay with initial asking prices of $30 to $75.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
June 26, 2013
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