How to Sell Silverware & Flatware for Cash
Do you have a set of old sterling silver flatware? You’re hardly alone—these are very common kinds of luxury items that can be found in households across the country.
If you’re thinking about how to sell silverware, especially your sterling silver flatware, there is a wide range of dealers out there, like Cash for Gold USA, who buy sterling silver flatware and other precious metals and gemstones.
Cash for Gold USA buys precious metals and gemstones like gold, sterling silver, platinum, diamonds, and more. Request a free Appraisal Kit to ship (insured!) your valuables to Cash for Gold USA where our our certified Jewelry Experts will appraise your valuables using the latest technology and send you an offer.
Before you go further, though, it’s best to learn about sterling silver and the characteristics that make it valuable. What follows is an overview of sterling silver flatware and the ways you can go about selling silver flatware to make some extra cash.
Start Selling Silver Flatware & Silverware
What Is Sterling Silver?
It’s important to understand exactly what is meant by the term “sterling silver,” which 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.
If you’re not certain what kind of flatware you have in your possession, consider reaching out to a silver dealer for assistance.
5 Reasons to Sell Sterling Silver Flatware
1. Sell Your Sterling Silver Flatware Because It’s Difficult to Maintain
There are many types of valuables that have few or no maintenance demands. You can simply put them away somewhere and forget about them, secure in the knowledge that nothing will happen that might cause harm. This is certainly not true of sterling silver, however. Utensils made from this metal alloy are prone to becoming tarnished, especially if they aren’t used often or are stored in a humid environment.
Sterling silver can also develop verdigris, a toxic greenish pigment that results from the oxidation of the copper content. Much of the time, it can’t be effectively removed without the aid of a specialist.
All this means is that you need to clean your sterling silver fairly often to keep it in good condition. In general, it’s best to do this by hand—the dishwasher just isn’t ideal when it comes to this type of flatware. Some silverware can even become damaged from the heat of a dishwasher.
For many people, it’s just not worth the bother to go through all this to keep their sterling silver flatware in good condition. Selling your flatware allows you to get rid of the burden involved with maintaining it—and make a few dollars in the process.
2. Sell Your Sterling Silver Flatware Because It’s Old
Sometimes you just want to make a change. Keeping the same flatware around for years and years can get boring, even if it’s still in decent condition. You can sell your old flatware and use the money to buy a brand-new set that’s in a different style.
3. Sell Your Sterling Flatware Because It’s Taking Up Space
Old flatware requires room that could be devoted to other things. That’s why many households that embark on a thorough spring cleaning of the premises end up selling off their sterling silver flatware.
4. Sell Your Silver Flatware Because the Price of Silver is High
If you’re interested in selling silver of any kind, now is an excellent time to cash in. The spot price of silver is substantially higher than it was only a few years ago.
Fortunately, there is a thriving market for old sterling silver flatware. Finding out who buys silverware isn’t difficult, but it’s not always possible to get the price you prefer.
5. Financial Needs and Changing Tastes
Life can present unexpected financial challenges, like medical bills, car repairs, or other unplanned expenses, that strain your budget. Selling your sterling silver flatware can provide a quick influx of cash to help alleviate these pressures without taking on additional debt.
Additionally, personal tastes and lifestyles evolve over time. The traditional designs of sterling silver flatware might no longer align with your modern or minimalist aesthetic preferences. By selling your flatware, you can invest in items that better reflect your current style, turning unused valuables into practical resources.
1. Sell Your Sterling Silver Flatware Because It’s Difficult to Maintain
A lot of people own sterling silver flatware, and there are a number of reasons why. Some families end up with a set of sterling silver utensils that were handed down to them from the previous generation. Some receive flatware as a wedding gift. Still more people just enjoy having this kind of elegant silverware around as daily utensils. Even so, there are also several perfectly valid reasons why you might want to get rid of your sterling silver collection.
Determining the Value of Sterling Silver Flatware
Not all flatware made of sterling silver is equally valuable. There are multiple factors that go into determining the price you can reasonably expect to get from silver flatware buyers.
Current market value of silver: The spot price of silver is constantly in flux. Waiting just a few months to sell your flatware can result in a significantly higher or lower price. To figure out the value of your silver in terms of its spot price, you should calculate its weight in troy ounces. Keep in mind that your flatware collection will be no more than 92.5% silver.
Physical condition: Flatware tends to get dinged up over time, which can have a significant effect on the market value of your collection. Be aware that tarnish or verdigris can be removed, although you need to be cautious when doing this to ensure that you do damage the metal. If you are selling your flatware based on its spot price, however, its physical condition is not important.
Special designs: Some kinds of antique silver flatware have uncommon designs or patterns that are valued by collectors. For instance, Grande Baroque flatware by Wallace Silversmiths and Repoussé by Stieff are perennial favorites among collectors.
Custom markings: Monograms, personal initials, family names and other customized engraved features can be a problem if you’re selling your flatware on the collector’s market. Many buyers aren’t interested in flatware that bears someone else’s personally identifiable information. Again, this isn’t an issue if you’re selling to a buyer who cares only about the silver content of the pieces.
Completeness of the set: If you have a flatware set with all originally included pieces—knives, forks, spoons, serving utensils, etc.—it is worth more than a comparable set with one or more missing elements. However, it is possible to sell individual pieces. You’re more likely to get a good price for pieces that are uncommon on the collector’s market.
It’s not always clear whether a particular set of sterling silver flatware has substantial value as a collectible or is merely worth its spot price. To get a sense of the value of your set, try looking it up online. The prices you see for the same set can give you a ballpark figure of its worth in the marketplace. If you feel your flatware may be a rare collectible, you may wish to consult a specialist for an estimate.
At the very least, any sterling silver items will be worth the spot price of silver. Even pieces that are badly damaged or worn can be sold to a buyer who deals in these kinds of products.
Tips on Selling Your Sterling Silver Flatware
You might be wondering, “Where can I sell sterling silver silverware?” You have options, but online buyers like Cash for Gold USA offer convenient solutions.
One way to sell your sterling silver is to find a brick-and-mortar storefront that deals with these types of collectibles. This isn’t necessarily your best option, however. There are several drawbacks associated with these kinds of dealers.
Brick-and-mortar dealers will generally extend an offer well below the actual market value of the items. They have no choice in this—they have bills to pay. They have to bear the many expenses that inevitably go along with running a physical storefront—rent, taxes, and various other financial burdens that cut into their bottom line. All these factors influence the amount of money that they can pay you.
You may also have trouble with a brick-and-mortar dealer if your flatware is damaged, worn, or in an otherwise less-than-ideal condition. Remember, even seemingly harmless markings like monograms are widely considered defects. These flaws lower the value of the flatware and make it difficult to sell on the collector’s market. As a result, many brick-and-mortar dealers just don’t want to be bothered with substandard items like these.
When exploring who buys sterling silverware, it’s important to find buyers with the necessary expertise, like us. Some places that buy and sell sterling silver flatware—like pawn shops—simply may not recognize the value of what you have. For them, sterling silver flatware and collectibles form only a small fraction of the items they handle on a daily basis. They have no specialized knowledge that might help them distinguish a typical set from a genuine collectible. That’s why it’s best to seek out a buyer who specializes in precious metals, not a general collector.These are all reasons why an increasing number of people are reaching out to online buyers rather than B&M storefronts. This approach has a number of benefits that traditional shops and buyers can’t match, including:
Quick offers : You can get a quote almost as soon as your silver is received through the mail—often within 24 hours.
High payouts : An online seller will usually give you more money than a brick-and-mortar dealer.
Will accept damaged goods : Online buyers like Cash For Gold USA buy silver of all kinds, no matter what physical condition it’s in.
Convenient selling process : With an online buyer, you don’t have to travel. You only have to pack your silverware, and other silver or gold items you would like to sell, and send them to the buyer via postal mail.
When you work with Cash For Gold USA, you also get our Price “Beat” Guarantee: We will beat any competitor’s written offer or return your items to you free of charge.
All you need to do is fill out our online form to request your free Appraisal Kit that is insured for up to $100,000. The prepaid label comes with a tracking number, so you’ll be able to keep tabs on your silver during the shipping process.
As an experienced gold and silver dealer, we have a reputation for top-notch customer service. We deal in many popular brands, including but not limited to Allan Adler, Amston, Blackinton, Concord, Dominick & Haff, Durgin, Easterling, Fessenden, Frank Whiting, Gorham, Howard, International, Kirk, Knowles, Lunt, Manchester, Mauser, Mayer, Merrimac, Mount Vernon, National, Old Newbury Crafters, Oneida, Reed & Barton, Richard Dimes, Schofield, Shiebler, Frank Smith, Tiffany, Tuttle, Unger, Watson, Weidlich, Westmorland, and W&D Graff.
So you’ve determined that your flatware is authentic sterling silver and that it’s time to consider selling sterling silver flatware. What now?
