Sterling Silver Melt Value

Current sterling silver value: $1.95/g · 92.5% pure · .925 fineness

Last updated: 8/11/2026, 4:51:42 AM · Live data

Silver Melt Value Calculator

Prices last updated: 8/11/2026, 4:51:42 AM

Weight

Sterling Silver (.925)

Sterling Silver (.925) (92.50% pure)

Payout Percentage (% of melt value)

Dealers typically pay 70–95% of melt. Enter the rate you were quoted.

Melt Value

$1.95

Pure Metal Content

0.0297 ozt

Total Weight

1.00 g

Based on silver spot price of $65.56/ozt · $1.95/g at current purity

Sterling Silver Price Per Unit

Unit	Price
Per Gram (g)	$1.95
Per Pennyweight (dwt)	$3.03
Per Troy Ounce (ozt)	$60.65
Per Grain	$0.13

Important: Weighted & Filled Sterling

Some sterling items are not solid and have minimal melt value:

Weighted sterling — candlesticks, compotes, and bowls with a plaster/resin core covered by a thin sterling shell. Only the shell has value.
Silver-plated — stamped "EPNS," "silver-plated," or "SP." A thin layer of silver over base metal. Essentially no melt value.
Gold-filled / rolled gold — stamped "1/20" or "GF." Not sterling. Minimal precious metal content.

Common Sterling Silver Items & Typical Weights

Item	Typical Weight	Notes	Est. Melt Value
Dinner Fork	50–80g	Heaviest flatware piece	$155.99
Tablespoon	60–90g	Serving spoon	$175.48
Teaspoon	20–30g	Common flatware	$58.49
Butter Knife	25–40g	Flat blade	$77.99
Dinner Plate	150–250g	Varies by pattern	$487.46
Creamer	80–150g	Small pitcher	$292.47
Sugar Bowl	150–250g	With lid	$487.46
Candlestick	100–300g	May be weighted	$584.95
Chain Necklace	5–30g	Varies by length	$58.49
Ring	3–10g	Solid sterling	$19.50
Bracelet	10–40g	Solid sterling	$77.99
Earrings (pair)	2–10g	Solid sterling	$19.50

Weights are approximate and vary by pattern, manufacturer, and size. Use the calculator above for exact valuations. Weighted items (candlesticks, compotes) may have significantly less sterling than their total weight suggests.

About Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is an alloy containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. The copper adds hardness and durability — pure silver (.999) is too soft for flatware, jewelry, and tableware that gets daily use. Sterling has been the standard for silver items in the English-speaking world since the 12th century, and the "925" stamp has been the universal mark of authenticity for centuries.

The melt value of sterling is straightforward: multiply the weight by 0.925 and then by the spot silver price per unit. A 100-gram sterling fork contains 92.5 grams of pure silver. At a spot price of $65.56/ozt, that fork contains $194.98 worth of silver. Dealers typically pay 70–85% of melt for sterling flatware and jewelry, with higher rates for larger quantities.

The most common sterling items are flatware (forks, spoons, knives), hollowware (teapots, creamers, sugar bowls, trays), and jewelry (chains, rings, bracelets). Major American sterling manufacturers include Gorham, Tiffany, Reed & Barton, International Silver, and Oneida. Patterns like Gorham Chantilly, Tiffany English King, and Reed & Barton Francis I are widely recognized.

When selling sterling, separate solid pieces from weighted and plated items. A dealer will test each piece — typically with a magnet (sterling is not magnetic) and an acid test — and weigh only the solid sterling. Weighted items are stripped of their sterling shell, and the core is discarded. Be honest about weighted pieces to avoid disputes during the sale.

Sterling Silver FAQ

What is the melt value of sterling silver?

The melt value of sterling silver is 92.5% of the spot silver price per unit of weight. Per gram, it is the spot price divided by 31.1035, multiplied by 0.925. Use the calculator on this page for the exact value at today's price.

How can I tell if my silver is solid sterling?

Look for a stamp reading "925," "Sterling," "Ster," or "S.S." These marks indicate solid sterling silver. If the piece reads "silver-plated," "EPNS," "1/20," or "weighted," it is not solid sterling and has minimal melt value.

What is the difference between sterling and fine silver?

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure (.925 fineness), while fine silver is 99.9% pure (.999 fineness). Fine silver is too soft for most practical use, so it is alloyed with copper to create sterling, which is harder and more durable.

Are weighted sterling candles and bowls worth anything?

Weighted sterling items (candlesticks, compotes, bowls) have a thin layer of sterling over a plaster or resin core. The sterling shell may weigh only 10–30 grams even on a large piece. The weighted core has no value. A dealer will strip the sterling shell and pay you for that weight only.