Whether you’re looking to clean out your jewelry stash or you need to rid yourself of a few ugly pieces passed down from your matronly aunt, selling silver jewelry is a great option. You’ll make a few bucks and have more room for pretty pieces you’ll actually wear.
Planning on selling some silver jewelry? Follow these tips on how to sell and you’ll be successful.
Silver heart pendant
Where Should I Sell My Silver Jewelry?
The advent of the Internet means there are plenty of options when it comes to selling silver jewelry.
An alternative to selling online is to take your silver to a storefront. Keep an eye out for “We Buy Gold” signs: these types of stores may also accept silver.
If you have a favorite local jeweler, they may also purchase unwanted silver and gold jewelry.
Going to a storefront, especially a local jewelry shop, has its benefits: it’s much easier to negotiate with a real person so you may get a better price.
More: Click here to browse an extensive selection of beautiful silver jewelry.
What Characteristics Should I Focus on When Selling?
There are a few characteristics of silver that you should know before you try to sell your jewelry.
First of all, silver comes in various alloys. Pure silver, usually marked “999,” contains 99.9% silver.
Generally, jewelry is made from a silver alloy, such as sterling silver. This is because silver is a very soft metal and scratches easily. By mixing silver with some other metal, usually copper, the piece is harder and more wearable.
Sterling silver contains 92.5% silver and is typically marked “925” somewhere on the piece.
Other markings include “800” for 80% silver and “500” for 50% silver. Look for these markings somewhere on the piece to ensure that you’re selling real silver jewelry and not costume jewelry.
Silver-plated pieces are rarely of interest to buyers.
Related: Check out this collection of high-quality fine jewelry.
How Can I Get the Best Price for My Silver Jewelry?
Before you attempt to sell any silver jewelry, it’s important to know its general value.
Look up the market price of silver before you sell. This information can be useful when negotiating over the sale price.
For the best deals, weigh your pieces before you leave your home, then calculate approximately how much each is worth using the current value of silver.
If you don’t have a scale, you can guess the weight using quarters. A US quarter weighs a little over 5.5 grams. Hold your silver jewelry in one hand and have a friend add quarters to your other hand until they feel about equal. Then multiply the number of quarters times 5.5 for the approximate weight of your jewelry.
Other Ways to Sell Silver Jewelry
If you’d rather not see your silver jewelry melted down into new pieces, you may want to consider selling it elsewhere.
Flea markets can be a good place to try. You’ll typically have to pay a fee for renting a table, but otherwise, the costs are fairly low.
Make sure you thoroughly clean each piece before attempting to sell it. Tarnished jewelry is less appealing.
You can also try to sell your jewelry online through various auction sites. Some sites, like eBay, are more general, while others focus on vintage pieces in good condition.
Again, make sure each piece is clean when you’re taking pictures. Try to show off the piece as well as you can by using a good camera and decent lighting.
Protect the piece in the mail by using a padded envelope and getting it insured. It’s a small price to pay to ensure that it arrives in mint condition.
Unwanted silver jewelry doesn’t have to be relegated to the bottom of your jewelry drawer. Instead, consider selling it.
By following these tips, you’ll make extra money and free up space for new additions to your jewelry wardrobe.
