How to Sell Sterling Silver
Before we talk about how to sell sterling silver it is best to know what sterling silver is and how is it different from pure silver. We can discuss that by understanding first what silver is. Silver is a metallic element which, like gold in its purest form is soft. When pure silver or gold is made into jewelries or ornaments, it will easy bend, break or stretch. It is not as hard as steel which is a common notion when we say that something is metal. Silver and gold are very malleable. That is why silver just like gold is often mixed with alloy (very minimal amount) in order to make it a little harder to retain the shape we want to form. Copper is a very popular alloy that is often mixed with silver and gold. Silver mixed with alloy (copper) is what we call sterling silver. The acceptable value of sterling silver is 92.5 or higher (US Standards) and .925 or higher (UK Standards). This mean the amount of alloy that is contained in a piece of sterling silver should only be 7.5% or less to be considered as genuine silver.
Now that we have established what pure and sterling silver are, it is now time to discuss how to sell sterling silver.
Check your silver
It is very important that before you buy or if have acquired your silver through inheritance to check them for any markings about its silver content. Dealers will only buy sterling with 92.5 in the US or .925 in the UK. The higher the silver content is, the higher the price that it can be sold in the market.
No silver plate please
If in case you’ll not be able to find any markings that are mentioned above, US or UK standards, then your silver is only plated unfortunately. That means that it is not genuine silver therefore doesn’t have any value. Silver plates may look beautiful, but you will not be able to retail it the same price as you sell sterling silver.
Know your pieces
It is always best to know the pieces in your collection especially if you wish to sell sterling silver in the future. Establish their value by doing research online or by asking jewelers or precious metal experts to determine the prices of the pieces that you have. It is also best to establish if you have some antique silver in your collection because this would be priced differently and possibly higher.
The best place to sell
This is the most difficult thing to do, to find a reliable place to sell sterling silver. This is probably the hardest because of the many scams going around and horrid stories of how people where conned when they try to sell their sterling silver. When you are not sure where to sell sterling silver it is wise to shop around first. Do not bring everything with you if you are planning to sell a couple of pieces. Just bring one, one that looks very simple and try to ask how much would be their rate for that particular piece. But one good deal is not enough to establish trust. Sell sterling silver in a company whose reputation is established.
That is why at Silver and Gold Exchange we value our reputation and the trust people have given to us in our years of doing business. We have already gone through the process of rigid scrutiny by law and most importantly by our valued customers. You can be assured that all our staff are professionals and trained to accurately and fairly assess the value of your sterling silver. If you have decided to sell sterling silver, then we at Silver and Gold Exchange is more than willing to give you the best deal in town.
There is no better time than now to sell sterling silver and there is no better place to sell them than Silver and Gold Exchange. Just make sure that you know the value of your silver, have taken good care of them and that you are ready to part with them to make profit.
