How Much Is Sterling Silver Worth
Per Ounce in Arizona?

Sterling silver has real, measurable value that changes every trading day. Whether you have old silverware, jewelry, coins, or a random bar from an estate, the process for figuring out what it's worth is the same — and it's simpler than most people think.

What Is the Current Silver Spot Price?

The "spot price" is the global market price for one troy ounce of pure silver, quoted in U.S. dollars. It changes throughout every trading day based on supply, demand, and macro factors. As of early 2025, silver spot has been trading between $28–$35 per troy ounce.

To get the live price right now, check Kitco.com or Google "silver spot price." The number you see is per troy ounce of pure (99.9%) silver.

Sterling Silver Is 92.5% Pure — Here's How to Calculate Value

Sterling silver (marked "STERLING" or "925") contains 92.5% silver by weight. To calculate what your sterling is worth:

1. Weigh it in grams using a kitchen scale.
2. Convert to troy ounces: divide grams by 31.1
3. Multiply by 0.925 to get pure silver content
4. Multiply by current spot price

Example: You have 200 grams of sterling silver items.
200 ÷ 31.1 = 6.43 troy oz × 0.925 = 5.95 oz pure silver
At $30/oz spot: 5.95 × $30 = $178.50 melt value

A reputable buyer pays 85–95% of melt value. On this example, expect $152–$170 in cash.

Why Buyers Pay Less Than Full Spot

No buyer pays 100% of melt value — they need margin to cover refining costs, overhead, and profit. The question is how much less. Pawn shops typically pay 40–60% of melt. Dedicated precious metals buyers like YML Refinery pay 85–95% because silver refining is a core part of our business, not a side transaction.

On a $200 melt-value item, the difference between a 50% pawn offer ($100) and an 88% refinery offer ($176) is $76 — real money, and it scales up significantly on larger lots.

Common Sterling Silver Items and Approximate Value

Here's what typical sterling items weigh and their rough melt value at $30/oz spot:

• Sterling silver spoon (dinner): ~40–60g → $35–$55
• Sterling serving spoon: ~80–120g → $70–$105
• 5-piece place setting (fork, knife, 2 spoons, teaspoon): ~150–200g → $130–$175
• Complete 8-place setting with serving pieces: ~600–900g → $500–$780
• Sterling silver bracelet: ~20–40g → $17–$35
• Sterling silver necklace (18"): ~15–30g → $13–$26
• Sterling silver ring: ~5–12g → $4–$10
• 1 oz silver bar or round: 31.1g, 0.999 fine → ~$28–$32

What About Silver-Plated Items?

Silver-plated items are not sterling. Plated flatware — Rogers, Community, International Silver, "1847 Rogers Bros" — has an extremely thin layer of silver over base metal. The silver content is negligible for melt purposes. These items are worth a few cents per piece in silver content, not the $30–$50 per piece value of genuine sterling.

Always check the stamp. "STERLING" or "925" = real silver. Anything else is likely plated. If you're not sure, bring it in — we test in 60 seconds.

Silver Coins: Different Pricing Rules

Pre-1965 U.S. coins (dimes, quarters, half dollars, dollars) are 90% silver. They're priced at a slight premium over pure melt because of their recognized silver content and easy trading. A roll of 40 pre-1965 quarters contains 7.23 troy oz of silver — worth roughly $200–$250 at current spot.

Modern silver Eagles (1 oz, .999 fine) typically sell at $2–$5 over spot because of their guaranteed purity and strong collector demand.

Where to Sell Sterling Silver in Arizona

YML Refinery buys sterling silver flatware, jewelry, coins, and bars at our Youngtown location — easily accessible from Peoria, Scottsdale, Sun City, and across the Phoenix West Valley. We weigh everything in front of you, show you the math, and pay same-day cash.

Call first if you have a large lot and want a phone estimate: (623) 974-3772. Open Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm.

FAQ

Does tarnish affect silver value?

No. Tarnish is surface oxidation and has zero effect on silver content or melt value. Don't clean or polish your silver before selling — it makes no difference to the price.

What if I have a mix of sterling and plated items?

Bring everything. We sort, weigh, and test each category separately and make offers on the sterling. Plated items will be returned or discarded — your call.

Is silver bullion worth more than sterling flatware?

Slightly, per troy ounce of pure silver, because bullion is .999 fine vs. sterling's .925. But the difference is small. Both are priced against live spot.