Welcome to our Blog
The AC Silver perspective on jewellery, silver and related themes
Apostle Spoons
An Apostle spoon is (spoiler alert!) a spoon, usually crafted out of silver, that features an image of an Apostle as the termination of the handle. These spoons can be dated precisely and are among the earliest surviving examples of English silver. The twelve Apostles that feature on these spoons each possess their own distinctive […] ...Read More...
What is a Quaich?
A quaich is a traditional Scottish drinking cup. It is a distinctive kind of shallow, two-handled drinking bowl or cup. The quaich is said to have originated from the Scottish Highlands, where clan chiefs prized them as a token of hospitality. For centuries, they have been used around Scotland as a cup of friendship. The […] ...Read More...
Welcome to the AC Silver House of Horrors
A Haunting Tale …The AC Silver House of Horrors… …Something has been causing trouble. All around, you can’t miss it; there’s something spooky in the air. Something has been sneaking around our stock, wreaking havoc and running amok. It sends a shiver, makes you chill, raises everybody’s hair. The animals used to be so calm, […] ...Read More...
What is a Compote Dish?
Fruit stewed or cooked in a syrup, usually served as a dessert. A dish with a base, stem and often a lid, crafted in glass, china, or silver. Its purpose is to serve fruit, nuts, sweets, etc. Often a compote dish might be described as a tazza or as a comport dish. Therefore, in order […] ...Read More...
If Animals Could Speak – Part 1
When I was a child, I used to wish I could speak to animals and understand them as clearly as I understood other people. I love animals. I’m sure many of us do. I love how they have their own special ways of communicating with us. Often, I find myself looking into the eyes of […] ...Read More...
How to Tell Diamonds from Paste
What are Paste Diamonds? The term “paste” is used to describe various different types of cut glass. Paste stones come in an array of colours and sizes and they were mainly produced to imitate the look of diamonds. Today, we consider paste stones as little more than costume jewellery or imitation stones; however paste was […] ...Read More...
What is a Carat?
While researching jewellery and antiques you are likely to come across the terms ‘carat’ and ‘karat’ a LOT. There are so many different terms related to jewellery, gold, and precious gems, so let’s get to the bottom of it: what is a carat? Carat vs Karat First of all, the terminology depends on where you […] ...Read More...
Replating White Gold
White gold is a stunning, sleek and shiny alternative to other metals such as yellow gold and platinum. White gold jewellery was first made popular during the decadent Art Deco era in the 1920s. The elegant metal was thought to perfectly enhance diamonds and it added to the clean cut pristine fashion styles which dominated […] ...Read More...
The Important Gemstones
…and all you need to know about them If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, then the rest of the gemstones make extraordinary acquaintances. Our relationship with precious gems seems timeless; humans have always loved to decorate themselves. We have long been drawn in by the sparkle and allure of gemstones and have prized them […] ...Read More...
How to Make Tea Using a Spirit Kettle
Spirit kettles started appearing during the late 1600s, a time when innovation surrounding tea-drinking was at its peak. At this time, teapots were very small and didn’t contain so many tea leaves; this was because tea was still an expensive commodity that had to be used sparingly. Despite this, people were obsessing over this new […] ...Read More...
