Sterling Silver
Sterling is the historic standard in Great Britain at 925 parts per thousand pure silver. The United States used coin silver at 900 parts. Baltimore operated its own assay office, with a purity standard of 11/12. Tiffany, originally a retailer, purchased from leading New York silversmiths, William Gale, Gerardus Boyce, William Bogert, John Polhamus, and John C. Moore. Tiffany founded their own workshop in 1868 headed by John C. Moore.
Alice Karle Appraisals
Fine Art & Modern Art
Fine Objects
Estate Appraisers
Insurance Appraisers
Donation Appraisers
1 805 682-2234
Sterling Silver Appraisals and appraisals of other fine decorative objects is offered by Alice Karle Appraisal. Depending upon your location we can inspect your silver in person or virtually. Information on Virtual Appraisal is in the Menu under the Appraisal Tab.
As an independent silver appraiser we have been performing silver appraisals for Insurance, Estate, and Sale purposes since 1996.
In the current world of virtual appraisals, we can appraise your silver through a series of photos and your description and measurements, and documentation, such as receipts or previous appraisals.
Part of the process will be for you to seach your silver for hallmarks. It’s fun when you find them! Most phones now have magnifiers. You can also purchase a 10-12 power jeweler’s loupe inexpensively online.
Office hours are between 9am‑6pm, Monday through Friday, California time. Alice is a Certified Appraiser. Alice is also IRS Qualified for Estate & Charitable Donation Appraisals.
As required for IRS compliance, we are current in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Certificate by the Appraiser Qualification Board of the Appraisal Foundation, and comply with USPAP standards and rules.
We enjoy the unusual or difficult, and have relationships with specialists around the world. Our targeted research capabilities are the key to accurate identification and valuation of your important property.
Visit the Gallery for examples of property we have appraised or marketed. Values are given for property with published sale or auction records only, as appraisals are confidential.
For over twenty years we have been dedicated to being of service to our clients by providing an ethical and professional service. We truly love what we do. We look forward to being of assistance to you. Whether your needs involve fine art wealth management, estate planning, insurance, or charitable donation, we are happy to advise you on your options and to provide the knowledge you need to make informed choices.
The gallery section of the website, provides an overview of the types of property we appraise. The Gallery thumbnails open an Image Gallery with links to detailed articles.
Property we appraise ranges from sterling silver, jewelry, fine decorative art, important fine and modern art of the 19th and 20th centuries, 17th century Chinese bronzes, to libraries of rare first editions.
Marketing services are also available for the sale of your silver, fine art, and fine decorative art. Valuation for marketing purposes is included in our appraisal practice, but is a separate service from marketing for sale. Appraisals are arms length and free of financial consideration. Disbursement or sale following an appraisal is entirely the client’s decision.