How Pure Is Sterling Silver?

“What's It Worth” Antiques Minute

May 25, 2017

If you have a sterling silver necklace weighing one troy ounce, how much "pure silver" do you really have?
Because silver is a soft and malleable metal, it must be mixed with another base metal, such as copper or tin, to make it hard enough to endure day-to-day wear. Sterling silver must be 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent base metal, no more and no less than 92.5 percent. Usually it will be marked "Sterling." Sometimes it may be marked "925" or "925/1000."
So, your one-troy-ounce sterling silver necklace would contain approximately .925 ounce of pure silver.
WhatÂ’s it worth? If the spot price of silver is $18 per troy ounce, this sterling silver necklace, having no gemstones, would have a ballpark scrap silver value of approximately $10 to $12.
Mike Ivankovich is an auctioneer, appraiser, home downsizing expert, and host of the "What's It Worth? Ask Mike the Appraiser" Radio Show that airs live on Friday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m. on WBCB 1490 AM in the Greater Philadelphia area. It is available on the internet at www.WBCB1490.com.
To learn more, visit www.AskMikeTheAppraiser.com.

 

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