What sterling silver is worth
Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. That's why it is stamped 925. Its scrap value is simply the silver it contains.
Sterling melt value = weight (ozt) × 0.925 × silver spot price
Example: a 1,000 gram set of sterling flatware weighs 32.15 ozt and contains 29.74 ozt of pure silver. If silver were $50 per ounce, its melt value would be about $1,487.
How to identify sterling silver
American sterling is usually marked STERLING or 925. British sterling carries a lion passant (a walking lion) along with a town mark and date letter. Mexican sterling often reads 925 Mexico with a maker's code, and European pieces may show 925 or national marks.
Marks that do not mean sterling include EP, EPNS, EPC, Silverplate, Quadruple Plate, IS (International Silver plate), Nickel Silver and German Silver. These items are plated and have little or no silver value.
Weighing flatware and hollowware
- Solid flatware: forks and most spoons are solid sterling, so weigh them as they are.
- Hollow-handle knives: the handle is a thin sterling shell filled with cement or resin, and the blade is often stainless steel. A dinner knife is commonly estimated at around 15 to 20 grams of sterling, far less than its total weight.
- Weighted pieces: candlesticks, compotes and some trophy bases marked "weighted" or "reinforced" contain filler. Only the thin outer shell is sterling.
- Hollowware: tea pots, bowls and trays may have wooden or ivory handles and insulators. Remove or subtract them.
Is it worth more than scrap?
Before you melt sterling, check whether it has collector value. Pieces from famous makers such as Georg Jensen, Tiffany & Co. and Gorham, discontinued flatware patterns, and early American or Georgian silver can sell for well above melt. For plain, damaged or mismatched pieces, melt value is a good benchmark. Compare with coin silver (.900) or go back to the main silver scrap calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is sterling silver worth per gram?
Divide the silver spot price per troy ounce by 31.1035, then multiply by 0.925. Enter 1 gram in the calculator to see today's figure.
How much is a sterling silver spoon worth?
It depends on its weight. A typical sterling teaspoon weighs around 20 to 40 grams. Weigh it and enter the grams above to get its melt value.
How much will a dealer pay for sterling silver?
Offers for sterling scrap often fall around 60% to 85% of melt value, depending on the buyer and how much you bring. Weigh it first so you can compare offers.
What is the difference between 925 and 999 silver?
999 silver is 99.9% pure silver, while 925 sterling is 92.5% silver alloyed with copper for strength. Sterling is harder and better for jewelry and flatware.
Is sterling silver magnetic?
No. Sterling silver isn't magnetic. If a magnet sticks firmly, the item is probably plated steel or another base metal.