Authenticity. Some collectors frown upon pieces that have been updated, such as replaced knife blades. Silverplated blades are often found with wear. They can easily be replaced on hollow handle knives and some prefer to have them replaced with stainless steel blades. However, stainless steel was not introduced until early 1920s. This is one of those areas which is a matter of personal collecting preference.

Repair. Dents, disposal or other damage can be repaired by a silversmith. Pieces can also be replated. The cost is prohibitive for easily-found pieces but is worthwhile and economically feasible for rare pieces.

Modified Items. Be aware that these exist and learn how to determine if a piece has been modified from its original state. Common flatware pieces are sometimes altered to make them appear to be rare or more valuable pieces. For example, spoons are sometimes cut to resemble ice cream forks. A sugar spoon may have been pierced to resemble a sugar sifter. Avoid purchasing modified pieces for your collection.

Forgeries. New forgeries in popular and rare patterns appear regularly for sale on internet. In particular, salt spoons and rare pieces such as asparagus servers. Many of these pieces have no maker's marks and some have been recently reproduced. Further, forged maker's marks in silver have appeared for hundreds of years. The age of a piece does not necessarily indicate it's authenticity.

Educate Yourself. Many good silver books are available in collecting section of your local book store or library.

A word on foiling. Most of us are familiar with traditional form of stained glass that we have encountered in churches which employ use of a lead came between glass pieces. Copper foiling is an alternative to lead came and is no doubt first place a new student to art of stained glass will begin. Only after one has mastered "foil", should you proceed to "came". Besides, foiling is a much easier process, especially for beginner. I still prefer this method over came method.

There is a little more to art of stained glass than what I have described thus far, but fundamental steps outlined below will give you a basic outline on what to expect.

Plan your design; will it be for a window, skylight... possibilities will astound you. Let your imagination take you,

Sketch out your design or use a bought pattern available through your retailer,

Cut out individual pieces from your pattern using those special scissors I mentioned earlier,

Apply cut pattern pieces to glass to be cut,

Using glasscutter, score and break (not in literal sense) each piece

Grind off excess glass

"Foil" each piece of glass

Solder pieces together

Clean your work, and

Display your masterpiece!

You will soon come to discover your own favorite step in art of stained glass. For some, it will be in designing stages, that challenge of coming up with your own unique design. For myself, my love for art lies in cutting of glass. There is a final moment of truth that comes after you have scored glass with glass cutter; this is part where I hold my breath. As you force glass to run (I'll explain that in another article), you'll begin to see glass crack along scored line as you hoped it would. With all things in universe being wonderful, glass breaks as you had intended. Occasionally it won't; that's breaks! But don't worry, glass is relatively inexpensive and you'll get it next time.