Selling Gold, Jewellery and Watches
Can I sell silver jewellery or silverware?
The short answer
Solid silver jewellery and silverware can often be sold, usually for the value of the silver they contain once tested and weighed. Plated items, such as electroplated nickel silver cutlery, contain very little silver and may not qualify. Because silver is worth far less than gold per gram, offers for silver are usually modest unless the quantity is large or a piece has collector value.
Solid silver versus silver plate
Sterling silver is an alloy that is mostly silver, commonly stamped 925. Silver-plated items have only a thin layer of silver over a base metal, and marks such as EPNS indicate electroplated nickel silver. Hallmarks and stamps are a useful guide, but they can be worn, foreign or inaccurate, so testing is still needed. A buyer that values items by metal content will usually be interested in solid silver rather than plate.
How silver items are assessed
Silver pieces are examined, weighed and tested for metal composition. Silverware often contains parts that are not solid silver, such as weighted candlestick bases, knife handles filled with resin or cement, steel blades and wooden or bone fittings. These add weight but not silver, so they are discounted from the calculation. Stones and marcasite in silver jewellery are generally not valued.
What affects the offer
- The confirmed silver content and the weight of solid silver
- The current silver price in rand, which can move sharply
- Whether parts must be removed or excluded
- Knox's buying policy and spread for silver items
Antique or designer silver may be worth more to a collector or auction house than its metal value, so consider that before selling a notable piece for its silver content.
What to do next
Sort the pieces you believe are solid silver from those you know are plated, and bring them with your identification and proof of ownership. Whether silverware and silver jewellery are currently accepted is a matter of Knox policy. Knox buys gold and silver items including trophies, medals, coins, bars, jewellery, cutlery and trays. Ask before your visit whether any testing fee applies.
How Knox handles this
Ready for the next step?
Speak to the Knox team about your situation. They will confirm current pricing, availability and requirements before you decide.
