Scrap Silver Value Calculator
Current silver spot price: Unavailable
Scrap Silver Value Calculator
Common Scrap Silver Items
| Item | Purity | Typical Weight | Scrap Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling Flatware Set | .925 | 1000g | — |
| Sterling Jewelry Piece | .925 | 15g | — |
| Silver-Plated Tray | Plated | 500g | — |
| .999 Fine Silver Scrap | .999 | 31.1g | — |
Sterling Silver vs. Silver-Plated
Understanding the difference between sterling silver and silver-plated items is critical when calculating scrap value. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver (marked “925” or “Sterling”) and has significant melt value. Silver-plated items have only a thin coating of silver over a base metal, making their silver recovery minimal.
Scrap Value = Weight (troy oz) × Purity × Spot Price
To test silver at home, use a magnet (silver is not magnetic), check for hallmarks (“925,” “Sterling,” or a lion passant), or use a nitric acid test kit. Silver-plated items are often marked “EP,” “EPNS,” or “Silver Plate.”
When selling scrap silver to refiners, expect payouts of 85–95% of melt value for sterling items. For example, a sterling flatware set weighing 1,000 grams contains about 29.74 troy ounces of pure silver, worth approximately calculated above at current spot per troy ounce.