ACID ETCHING

A method of customizing a product with an emblem or logo, etched into the item by transferring a tissue lifting of a logo from a steel engraving plate.  The impression left is surrounded by way resin.  Acid is applied to the immersion and resin is then removed, cleaned and a permanent etching is left.

APPLIED BORDER

Cast or rolled border soldered onto a piece of holloware

BRONZE CASTING

An old world art where hollow fittings are made by the caster pouring molten metal into bronze molds of fittings, handles, feet, finals, spouts, or candleholders.

BUTLER FINISH OR SATIN FINISH

Originally the result of years of hand rubbing by English butlers, Today a mellow surface luster is produced by a revolving wire wheel.

COIN SILVER

Up until the Civil War, most holloware was made from melted coins which were made of silver assayed at 900 parts pure silver to every 1,000 parts, 25 parts lower than the sterling standard today.

DIE CUTTING

A process where a master pattern is reproduced in steel to form a die from which an identical article of a softer metal can be stamped out.

ELECTROPLATING

The process by which base metals are coated with pure silver when electrical currents pass through a plating bath which deposits the silver on the base metal.

ENGRAVING

designs achieved by cutting the surface of metal by the use of sharp tools called gravers whcih remove small amounts of metal.

FLATWARE BLANKING

Another form of pressing and cutting a thick slab of metal into rough form.  Subsequent hammer drops define the flatware before rough and final finishing.

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