Selling Scrap Silver: What Qualifies and What It's Worth

You don't need a pristine collectible to sell silver. "Scrap" silver simply means silver bought for the value of the metal itself, regardless of its shape or condition. We buy gold, silver, and other precious metals — including scrap and broken pieces — so here's what qualifies and how the payout works.

What qualifies as scrap silver

• Sterling silver (.925): flatware, tea sets, serving pieces, candlesticks, and jewelry stamped "sterling" or ".925."
• Broken or mismatched jewelry: single earrings, tangled chains, and damaged pieces — form and condition don't matter for melt value.
• 90% "junk" silver coins: pre-1965 U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars are 90% silver and widely bought for their metal.
• Silver bullion: rounds, bars, and .999 fine pieces.
• Industrial and other silver: some flatware backs, dental silver, and marked pieces at 800/900 fineness.

What usually doesn't qualify

• Silver-plated items: often marked "silverplate," "EPNS," "EP," or "A1." These have only a microscopic layer of silver over a base metal and carry little to no melt value.
• Costume jewelry: base metals with a silvery finish and no silver content.
• "Nickel silver" / "German silver": despite the name, these contain no actual silver — they're copper-nickel-zinc alloys.

How to read the markings

The quickest way to tell real silver from plate is the stamp. Look for .925 or "Sterling" (sterling silver), or 800 / 900 / 999 fineness marks, usually on the back, underside, or clasp. Words like "plate," "plated," "EPNS," or "German silver" mean it isn't solid silver. When in doubt, bring it in — we can test it.

How your payout is calculated

1. Purity: the silver content — .925 sterling, .900, or .999 fine — sets how much actual silver is in the piece.
2. Weight: measured in grams or troy ounces on a calibrated scale.
3. Spot price: the live market price of silver, which moves throughout the day.

In short: silver content × current spot price, minus a modest margin. This is the same approach used for gold — see what pawn shops pay for gold for a fuller breakdown.

One exception: some silver coins are worth more to collectors than their melt value. A good buyer checks both the numismatic and melt value and pays you the higher of the two — our coin collectors guide covers the key dates and series worth a second look.

Scrap it or keep it?

If you'd rather not part with a piece permanently, you can take a pawn loan against it instead and reclaim it later. Sorting through an inherited estate? Our guide on selling inherited jewelry in the Atlanta area walks through melt vs. market value.

Get a free, no-obligation quote

Bring your silver in and we'll weigh and test it in front of you, then explain exactly how we reached the offer — no pressure to sell. We serve Roswell and the surrounding metro, including Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, and Johns Creek.

Have questions or want a free, no-obligation quote? Contact us or call 678-264-8899 — walk-ins are always welcome at our Roswell store.