Just like with gold, you see silver prices daily on the news, financial apps, or websites. You might think, “My silver bracelet or coins are worth a lot now!” But when you go to a store or a buyer, you often get much less than the price you see online. Why is that? Let’s explain.
1. The price you see is for fine silver
The silver price quoted daily is meant for 99.9% pure silver, also called “fine silver.”
- Fine silver (999) = 99.9% pure silver
- Sterling silver (925) = 92.5% pure silver
- Other hallmarks like 800 or 750 contain even less silver
Without this distinction, you only see the spot price of pure silver – not what your jewelry is actually worth.
2. Alloys and quality affect value
Silver in jewelry is usually not pure silver. Other metals are added to make it stronger, similar to white gold:
- Sterling silver (925) contains 92.5% silver
- 800 or 750 silver contains 80% or 75% silver respectively
The lower the silver content, the lower the value per gram.
3. Costs and margins
When you sell silver through a jeweler or buyer:
- The price is silver content × current silver price, minus the dealer’s costs and margin.
- Jewelry often has extra value due to craftsmanship, brand, or design, but this is not always fully included in the buyback price.
4. Always have your silver tested
Always have your silver tested in your presence. This ensures the karat is correctly determined. Such a test should not visibly alter the jewelry or the testing solution – meaning no material is removed or damaged.
5. Practical example with current price
At this moment, the silver price for fine silver (999) is about €2.58 per gram.
- Fine silver (999): 10 × €2.58 = €25.80
- Sterling silver (925) (9.25 g pure silver): 9.25 × €2.58 ≈ €23.87
- 800 silver (8 g pure silver): 8 × €2.58 ≈ €20.64
You can see that silver content directly affects the value.
✅ Conclusion
The silver price you see online is always for 99.9% pure silver, while most jewelry has a lower content. Have your silver tested in your presence to ensure you get the correct value without damaging your piece.
