Sterling is 92.5% silver, usually stamped 925 or STERLING. Its scrap value is the silver weight times the silver price, which for most everyday jewelry is a modest amount, so check for designer or collector value before selling by weight.
What sterling means
Sterling silver is an alloy, or mix of metals, that is 92.5% pure silver. The rest is usually copper, which makes it harder and better for jewelry. Pure silver is too soft for most rings, chains and bracelets.
Under the FTC’s Jewelry Guides, sellers in the US shouldn’t call something “sterling” or “solid silver” unless it is at least 925 parts per thousand pure silver. The federal stamping law allows a tiny testing tolerance below the mark, but the standard is 925.
How to read the stamp
Look inside rings, on clasps and on the back of pendants. A magnifying loupe helps (see the loupe on our tools page).
| Stamp | What it means | Silver content |
|---|---|---|
| 925, STERLING, STER. | Sterling silver | 92.5% |
| 900, COIN | Coin silver | 90% |
| 800 | Lower-grade silver, more common on older pieces | 80% |
| 999, FINE SILVER | Fine silver | 99.9% |
| EP, EPNS, SILVER PLATE | Silver-plated base metal | Very little |
| VERMEIL | Sterling silver coated with gold | 92.5% under the gold |
A number stamp shows parts per thousand. So “800” means 800 out of 1,000 parts are silver.
Plated pieces have only a thin coat of silver over another metal, such as brass or copper. They have little or no scrap value. Vermeil is sold as silver, not gold, because the gold layer is very thin. For more on coatings, see gold-filled vs gold-plated vs vermeil.
No stamp?
Many older, handmade or foreign pieces have no stamp, and stamps can wear off. A missing stamp doesn’t prove a piece isn’t silver. A few simple checks can help:
- Magnet. Silver is not magnetic. If a strong magnet grabs the piece, it is mostly another metal. A piece that doesn’t stick still might not be silver, because many cheap metals aren’t magnetic either. See the magnet on our tools page.
- Tarnish. Real silver often darkens with age. Tarnish is a hint, not proof.
- Testing. Buyers can test silver with acid or an electronic tester. See how gold buyers test your gold; the same methods work for silver.
Why the value is often lower than expected
Silver costs far less per gram than gold. A sterling chain and a 14K gold chain of the same weight can differ in metal value many times over.
Most everyday sterling jewelry is also light. A typical ring or chain may weigh only a few grams. Multiply a few grams of silver by the silver price and the scrap value is often small.
On top of that, buyers pay a share of the melt value, not all of it. They have costs for testing, refining and handling. Small lots of silver often get a lower share than gold, because the refining costs are similar but the metal is worth less. See spot price vs scrap price.
Things that don’t count toward silver weight
Before you weigh, set aside or account for parts that aren’t silver:
- Stones, beads and pearls.
- Steel parts, such as some clasps, pin backs and springs.
- Cord or leather on necklaces.
- Weighted or filled parts, such as some hollow bangles or candlesticks. These are more common on tableware than jewelry; see selling sterling silver flatware.
If you can’t remove a stone, ask the buyer how they will subtract it.
Estimate the scrap value
- Sort your pieces by stamp: 925 in one pile, 800 in another, plated and unknown items in a third.
- Weigh each pile in grams on a scale that reads to 0.1 g or better. See how to weigh gold at home; the same steps apply to silver.
- Open the silver calculator, choose Sterling .925 (or the matching purity), and enter the weight.
The result is the melt value. Expect a buyer’s offer to be a percentage of that.
When sterling is worth more than its silver
Some silver jewelry sells for much more as jewelry than as scrap. Before you sell by weight, look for:
- Designer or maker marks next to the 925 stamp. Signed pieces from well-known designers can have strong resale value.
- Handmade or vintage pieces. Some collectors pay for craftsmanship, age and style.
- Pieces in excellent condition that someone would simply wear.
For these, a jewelry resale shop, consignment store or online marketplace may pay more than a scrap buyer. You can look up a maker’s mark online to see what similar pieces sell for. For the general idea, see melt value vs collector value.
Quick summary
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What is sterling? | 92.5% silver, stamped 925 or STERLING |
| Is silver-plated jewelry worth selling for scrap? | Usually not |
| How is scrap silver priced? | Silver weight × silver price, then the buyer’s percentage |
| Could it be worth more than scrap? | Yes, if it’s signed, handmade or collectible |
These figures are estimates, not offers. A buyer’s test and their percentage decide what you are paid.
- 16 CFR 23.5: Misrepresentation as to silver content (FTC Jewelry Guides)
- 15 U.S. Code 296: Silver articles, standards of fineness (National Gold and Silver Stamping Act)
Last reviewed October 29, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.