Where to Sell Sterling Silver Near Me: Your Guide to Getting Top Dollar
What Is Sterling Silver?
The term “sterling silver” has a specific meaning that refers to the composition of the metal. To qualify as sterling silver, flatware must contain 92.5% silver and 7.5% another metal. Usually the other metal is copper, but zinc and nickel are fairly common alternatives.
Why does sterling silver have this particular composition? Fine silver (sometimes called pure silver) is just too soft to be used for table utensils. Although fine silver, which is 99.9% pure, is acceptable in bullion coins, it’s not very helpful when slicing into a perfectly cooked steak. That’s why silver intended to be used for these applications must be mixed with another metal to enhance the durability and functionality of the utensil.
One of the problems with sterling silver is that the additional metal needed to strengthen it also makes it vulnerable to tarnishing. Fortunately, this issue can be corrected by careful cleaning.
How to Identify Valuable Sterling Silver
When selling sterling silver, you will want to know the difference between authentic sterling silver and lower-value silver-plated items.
Sterling silver has a higher resale value because of the 92.5% silver content, unlike plated pieces with a thin layer of silver coating over another metal. To the naked eye, the differences are not always apparent.
Sterling Silver vs. Plated Silver
Plated silver, as the name suggests, has a covering of silver over another metal, such as nickel, copper, or pewter. This is often achieved through electroplating—that is, adding a thin layer of silver to the metal through electrolysis.
Flatware with plated silver has low resale value, as it contains only a modest amount of silver and it’s generally too much of a bother to remove it for its spot value, which is why buyers of precious metals like Cash for Gold USA do not purchase these kinds of items. Plated silver pieces also usually don’t last as long as sterling silver utensils. Over time, the plated silver tends to wear away and expose the metal underneath.
However, it’s not always obvious whether you’re dealing with sterling silver or plated silver. This can be especially difficult if you don’t have anything on hand to which your flatware can be compared. For instance, plated silver is significantly heavier than sterling silver, but you need an example of both to detect the difference. How can you determine what kind of flatware you own? Look at the markings.
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Common Sterling Silver Markings and Hallmarks
Sterling silver pieces are almost always marked, which can be used to determine if you have the real deal. Frequently seen markings for authentic sterling silver include:
- 925
- .925
- .925/1000
- 925/1000
Sterling silver flatware made in the U.S. at any time since the 1850s should have one of these marks, or a close variation. With non-U.S. sterling silver, things can get a little tricky. In many cases, the silver composition in these foreign-made items is lower than the 92.5% required in U.S.-made sterling silver products. They may be marked “800” (80% silver) or “900” (90% silver).
British-made sterling silver has multiple hallmarks that attest to the company, date of manufacture, and other key information. Looking up these hallmarks online can help you determine what you have.
Plated silver often has no markings at all. Some examples of plated silver flatware bear a marking that attests to their true composition. Frequently seen markings for plated silver include:
- EP (for “electroplated”)
- EPNS (for “electroplated nickel silver”)
- EPCA (for “electroplated copper alloy”)
- Silver On Copper
- EP On Copper
- IS (for “International Silver”; this refers to the U.S.-based International Silver Company)
If you’re not certain what kind of flatware you have in your possession, consider reaching out to a silver dealer for assistance.
If you’re not certain what kind of flatware you have in your possession, consider reaching out to a silver dealer for assistance.
A Brief History of Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is believed to have originated in England circa 1300. The term “sterling” likely derives from silver coins of the 12th century, known as “Easterlings.”1
The heyday of sterling silver flatware was around 1840 to 1940.2 During this time, standards of etiquette emphasized the importance of abstaining from touching food with bare hands. Sterling silver utensils became the preferred instruments for dining. They were prized for both their elegance and their suitability for handling food.
The trend for dining with sterling silver caught on in the U.S., the United Kingdom, and continental Europe. Plated silver became popular for households that wanted the prestige of this type of flatware at a more reasonable price. Manufacturing companies in all three regions rose to the challenge of meeting public demand for attractive silver utensils. Some of the top names in antique sterling silver flatware include Stieff, Wallace Silversmiths, Lunt Silversmiths, Reed & Barton, Alvin, Buccellati, and Towle Silversmiths.
In the pre-modern era, dinnertime was typically a lengthy, elaborate affair with multiple courses. This required multiple sets of sterling silver flatware. Diners would go through a large number of variously shaped forks, knives, spoons, and ladles. Other dinnertime accessories, such as tea sets, candlesticks, and coasters, were often made of sterling silver as well.
In the mid-20th century, sterling silver flatware came to be seen as an expensive luxury that was no longer in tune with a modern era increasingly defined by low-cost fast food. The lengthy mealtimes associated with sterling silver became less common—and, as a result, so did sterling silver itself.
Today, many examples of authentic 19th-century sterling silver and plated silver flatware still exist, offered for sale by dealers or socked away in private collections. In some families, sterling silver sets have been passed down from one generation to the next for well over a century. Some of these collections are very elaborate, containing hundreds of pieces.
Vintage sterling silver flatware that is in excellent condition can command high prices in the collector’s market.
Ready to Sell Your Sterling Silver? Here’s Where to Sell
You have determined your pieces are sterling silver, and you want to sell your silver because the current price of silver has been relatively high.
So, do you do what most people do and do multiple internet searches for terms like “sell sterling silver near me,” “where to sell sterling silver near me,” “who buys sterling silver near me,” and “places that buy sterling silver near me?”
Options for Selling Sterling Silver “Near Me”
Depending on where you live, the results will include jewelers, pawn shops, antique dealers, and collectors. Which should you choose?
If you need your money immediately or prefer to deal face-to-face, selling sterling silver to a local silver buyer might be a good option.
The benefits are threefold:
- Local presence
- Immediate transaction
- Witness the process in-person
However, selling silver near me has its drawbacks, too:
- Limited hours of operation
- Might not have the expertise
- Offers affected by local demand
- Time-consuming visits
While it might seem like the most convenient way to sell silver is to find a local buyer, that is not always the case.
Perhaps it sounds counterintuitive, but the easiest way to sell your sterling silver might just be to an online buyer like Cash for Gold USA.
Options for Selling Sterling Silver Online
If you ask us, yes, you should sell sterling silver to an online buyer like Cash for Gold USA instead of selling it locally. However, we cannot make that decision for you. Here are some things to consider when evaluating whether you should sell your silver locally or to an online buyer:
Convenience: You can sell from home without making trips to several locations or worrying whether you can make it when the store is open.
Better Offers, Guaranteed: Online buyers like us operate nationally, which means we can make more competitive payouts than buyers in your town who can only sell for what the local demand is.
Secure Transactions: Online platforms like ours provide insurance and free shipping with tracking, which protects your valuables throughout the entire process, offering you peace of mind.
With these kinds of advantages, online silver buyers like Cash for Gold USA can offer higher returns and a smoother experience than what you find locally. Request your free Appraisal Kit now:
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Source:
1. Brittanica, Sterling, https://www.britannica.com/art/sterling-metallurgy. Retrieved Oct. 25, 2024
2. Wikipedia, Sterling silver, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterling_silver. Retrieved Oct. 25, 2024
