Are you among the many who have been captivated by the allure of weighted silver? Perhaps you've inherited a set of candelabras that seem to promise a treasure trove of precious metal, or maybe you're considering recycling your silverware for some extra cash. Whatever your situation, it's essential to understand the reality behind weighted silver and its value.

Steel is an inexpensive metal. As you know, it isn’t classified as a precious metal.

So why are there antique items out there that contain both steel and silver? The answer to that question is this . . .

You have probably seen niello without knowing what it was. It looks like black enamel that has been painted into the indentations around geometric patterns on the surface of decorative silver belt buckles, goblets, candlesticks and other objects. But niello isn’t paint. It is actually a compound made of silver, sulphur and other chemicals.