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Sterling Silver Calculator

Enter the weight and alloy type of your silver items to see melt value at live silver spot. Works for flatware, jewelry, and bullion.

Reviewed October 2026 · by The CoinMelt Desk · How we calculate

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Note on weighted/hollow items: Candlesticks and some flatware handles are loaded with non-silver filler. Weigh only the silver shell or have a refiner assess. Entering the full item weight will overstate melt value for weighted pieces.
Weight in grams
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Pure silver
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troy oz
Melt value
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Dealer payout
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How sterling silver melt value is calculated

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver by mass. To find melt value:

Pure silver (ozt) = weight (g) × 0.925 ÷ 31.1035
Melt value = pure silver (ozt) × spot ($/ozt)

Worked example — 100g sterling silver flatware

StepCalculationResult
Weight—100.00 g
Sterling purity92.5%92.5 g pure Ag
Convert to troy oz92.5 ÷ 31.10352.9740 ozt Ag
Melt at $60.73/ozt2.9740 × $60.73$180.61
At 80% of melt$180.61 × 0.80$144.49

Silver alloy purity reference

AlloyMarkingPurityCommon origin
Fine silver.999 or 99999.90%Bullion bars, rounds
Sterling.925, Sterling, STER92.50%US, UK, most Western
Coin silver.90090.00%Pre-1965 US coins
835 silver83583.50%Germany, Netherlands
800 silver80080.00%Continental Europe

Identifying plated vs solid silver

Silver-plated items (marked EPNS, A1, Silver Plate, EP) have only a thin surface layer and negligible silver value for melting purposes. Signs of plating: visible base metal at wear points (usually copper-colored), "EPNS" or "Silver Plate" stamping, or no .925/.999 hallmark on solid pieces. If you cannot find a purity mark and the piece is old or foreign, have a jeweler test it — acid testing or XRF analysis takes seconds.

Frequently asked questions

What is sterling silver?+

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver (marked .925). The remaining 7.5% is typically copper for hardness. Most silver flatware, jewelry, and hollowware sold in the US is sterling.

How do I know if my silver is sterling?+

Look for a hallmark: "Sterling", ".925", "925", or "STER". British sterling is hallmarked with a lion passant. Plated items (EPNS, Silver Plate) contain only a thin surface layer of silver — not solid sterling.

What is 800 silver?+

A European silver standard of 80% purity (marked 800). Common in German, Dutch, and some Italian and Scandinavian silver pieces. Worth slightly less per gram than sterling.

Do hollow or weighted items affect the calculation?+

Yes. Weighted silver items (candlesticks, hollow handles) have a heavy non-silver core — often concrete, lead, or plaster. Only the outer shell is silver. Weigh only the solid silver portion, or use a refiner who can assess the piece. The calculator shows melt of the weight you enter — do not weigh weighted items without noting the fill.

Does condition affect silver melt value?+

Worn items lose a tiny amount of weight but remain nearly full silver content. Plating is the concern — plated items are not solid silver. Solid sterling in any condition retains its melt value.

Guides for this calculator

How to Test Silver at Home: 5 Reliable Methods

Test silver at home using a magnet, ice, acid, or density check. Sterling is 92.5% pure silver. Learn which tests confirm real silver and which only hint at it.

Sterling Silver vs. Silver Plated: How to Tell the Difference

Sterling silver is 92.5% solid silver throughout; silver-plated is a base metal core with a thin silver skin. Learn the stamps, tests, and value difference.

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