Sterling Silver Calculator
Calculate the melt value of sterling silver jewelry, silverware, and flatware using today's live silver spot price. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver — look for a "925" stamp on your item. Also covers fine silver (999) and coin silver (900).
Live silver spot price: $31.50 / troy oz
How to Identify Your Silver
- 925 or Sterling — Sterling silver, 92.5% pure. Most common for jewelry and flatware.
- 999 or Fine — Fine silver, 99.9% pure. Used in bars and rounds.
- 900 or Coin — Coin silver, 90% pure. Found in pre-1965 US coins and some antique silverware.
- EPNS, Silver Plate, or no mark — Silver-plated, no real silver value.
How Much Is Sterling Silver Flatware Worth?
Sterling silver flatware — forks, knives, spoons, serving pieces — is one of the most common sources of scrap sterling silver. A single sterling silver dinner fork typically weighs 35–60 grams. A full 12-piece place setting for 8 people (96 pieces) can easily contain 2,000–4,000 grams of sterling silver, which at current spot prices represents significant value.
Complete sets from well-known makers like Gorham, Reed & Barton, Wallace, International Silver, and Towle command a premium above melt value when sold intact to collectors. Before scrapping any flatware set, research the pattern name — some patterns sell for 2–3x melt value or more to collectors.
Hollow-handled knives are the exception — the handle is usually stainless steel or filled with resin, and only the blade is sterling. Weigh hollow-handled pieces separately and reduce your estimate accordingly.
What Dealers Pay for Sterling Silver
Sterling silver scrap typically sells to dealers at 70–85% of melt value. Coin shops, jewelry buyers, and pawn shops all buy sterling but their offers vary significantly. Getting multiple quotes before selling is always worthwhile.
- Coin shops — Often the best buyers for sterling. Many pay 80–90% of melt for clean, clearly marked pieces.
- Jewelry buyers / gold buying shops — Typically pay 70–80% of melt. Quick and convenient but not always the best rate.
- Refiners — Highest payouts (90–95% of melt) but require larger quantities — usually a minimum of several pounds.
- eBay / online — Complete sets or desirable patterns often sell above melt value to collectors. Worth checking before scrapping.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my silverware is real sterling or silver plate?
Look for a "925", "Sterling", or "Ster" stamp — usually on the back of flatware handles or inside jewelry. Silver plate is stamped "EPNS" (electroplated nickel silver), "Silver Plated", "EP", or sometimes has no stamp at all. When in doubt, a coin shop can test it in seconds with acid or an XRF machine.
Is sterling silver jewelry worth selling as scrap?
It depends on the piece. Generic sterling chains and broken jewelry are reasonable scrap candidates. Name brand, designer, or artisan pieces — Tiffany, Georg Jensen, Navajo silverwork — can be worth multiples of melt value when sold intact. Always check resale value before scrapping.
What is coin silver and where does it appear?
Coin silver (900 purity) was used in 19th century American silverware and some antique pieces before sterling became the standard. It's also the purity of pre-1965 US circulating silver coins. Pieces stamped "Coin", "Pure Coin", or "Dollar" are typically 90% silver.
Why does the calculator show melt value but dealers pay less?
Melt value is the theoretical value of the pure silver content at spot price. Dealers pay less because they need to cover refining costs, their own profit margin, and the risk that spot price moves before they can sell. The difference between spot and what a dealer pays is called the spread — knowing your melt value lets you evaluate any offer you receive.