What is sterling silver
Pure silver is too soft for jewellery, so mostly copper is added to it. The common mixture is 925 — 92.5% silver. There are also markings like 800 or 950, and "silver-plated" items that are only a thin coating.
Old household items, pendants, and jewellery can be solid silver or plated. The difference is huge in terms of value.
How to test silver
The hallmark is a starting point. Then weight, colour in a light scratch in a hidden spot, and a chemical reaction or instrumental test are examined. Silver plating on brass is often exposed by a simple test.
Blackened silver is not a problem — the blackening is a natural reaction of the silver and does not affect the purity.
- 925 / Sterling hallmark
- Plating test
- Weighing after separating foreign parts
Common deductions
Stones, glass, wood, glue, internal weights in candlesticks, and steel parts are deducted from the weight. Old candlesticks and goblets sometimes have heavy filling that is not silver, and this can be surprising.
In addition, the payment to the customer is lower than the theoretical value of the silver, for the same reasons as gold: inspection, melting, refining, and handling.
Common items that come for inspection
Chains and pendants, bracelets, rings, cutlery, cups, and candlesticks. Each of them is checked separately because in the same box there can be solid silver, plated, and brass.
In large items, it is worth mentioning if you are aware of filling or a heavy base.
How to start
Use the metal calculator available on the site to receive an initial estimate for silver. The page displays a reference price from the available source, alongside the date and status of the data. The foreign exchange rate is published daily and is not continuous; when there is no valid data, unavailability is indicated. The final payment is determined after weighing and testing.
If you are in Ofakim, Be'er Sheva, Netivot, or anywhere else — write to us where you are inquiring from, and we will check together if and how to coordinate a check. We do not commit in advance to a specific service area.