How to choose an antique sterling silver tea set?

The best way to choose a genuine antique sterling silver tea set is to use reputable dealers, which can guarantee authenticity. As the culture of tea drinking and the art of making silver tea sets developed in England in the Victorian era, the United Kingdom is the most logical place to start the search.

There are three things to keep in mind when buying antique sterling silver tea sets.

• Sterling silver must contain 92.5 percent pure silver.
• Each individual piece of the service must be hallmarked, such as lids for pots and bowls.
• Antique tea sets could have been damaged and undergone restoration. Unless asked directly, a seller does not have to disclose this.