www.925-1000.com

These chalices - or wine cups? - are labeled by The International Silver Company, but the current owners of that trademark do not seem to have any information on these items nor anything similar.

I am interested in polishing the interior of several of these, but if they are actually plated-ware I cannot do this. Can anyone identify their provenance or assist me in determining if it is safe to polish the interiors to remove manufacturing defects about 1/2mm deep?

Thanks! bill

They appear to be silver plate. The interiors were origionally a frosted/brushed finish which appears to be intact. Simple silver polishing should make the servicable again.

Thanks for your reply!
Unfortunately one of these has manufacturing defects at the base of the interior which are (a guess) about a half-mm deep and which accumulate material which is impossible to remove by simple washing.

I've even tried to "pick" the debris out using a pointed toothpick -- no luck!

I have considerable metal-working experience as a gunsmith, and I am sure I could polish these defects out invisibly.
But if the chalices are simply plated - as it appears they are -- that would expose the base metal.

Replating services in the U.S.A. seem to be scarce; I haven't found any willing to quote on re-polishing and plating the interiors of six of these chalices. Sad.

Any (inexpensive!) suggestions are very welcome!

Hi ~ International used that mark from 1975-85, on a variety of items, usually giftware or home decor items. If your goblets were made of sterling, they would have been marked as such. Re-plating can be a bit pricey - unless they have some sort of sentimental value, can't say that I'd invest into having it done.

~Cheryl

dragonflywink;
Thank you for your information and advice.
You are undoubtedly correct,
Sad but true. <sigh>