So you’ve got some old silver rings and other silver jewelry at home, huh? I bet they’re just sitting there doing nothing. But what if I told you that these things can be “worth more than their weight in gold”! That’s right – your old silver ring may be worth something to someone out there, and all it takes is a little bit of effort on your part.
How do I sell my silver ring?
Here are the basics: contact us first for an estimate of the value of your unwanted silver and set up an appointment with one of our professionals. We will test the item(s) and then pay the best price when we receive them from you! If this sounds like something that might work for you, contact us today to get started!
If you’re considering selling your silver ring, there are a few things that you should know before to help you succeed. For one, silver can come in various combinations of metals. The purest form of silver is marked as 999 and often contains 99.9% silver. Furthermore, silver jewelry pieces are generally made from a silver alloy rather than pure silver because pure silver is too soft and scratches easily.
Silver rings are typically made from a sterling silver alloy that contains 92.5% silver and is marked as “925” somewhere on the piece. Other markings include “800” for 80% or “500” for 50% silver. In addition, only real silver rings will be purchased by potential buyers who stick to real metal instead of costume jewelry. Silver-plated rings are rarely of interest to buyers.
So make sure you have the .925 stamp on your silver ring.
Why does silver tarnish?
If your silver is tarnishing, it may not be sterling silver and has been mixed with copper or another metal. Such metals react more readily to humidity and air corrosion, which can cause discoloration.
A common problem with sterling silver jewelry is that it is exposed to chemical substances such as makeup, perfume, lotions, sprays, and detergents. The effect on these chemicals will vary depending on the material of which they are made.
To protect a piece of silver from tarnishing in a way that retains its luster, store it in an airtight container or zip-top bag when it’s not being worn. Avoid storing your silver in places with extreme temperature fluctuations, humidity, or chemicals.
We ask that if you intend to send your silver jewelry to us for an evaluation, that you DO NOT clean it on your own. This may seem like an innocent task, but it can actually ruin the integrity of the metal and make it worth much less than what you were originally looking for in a return from your investment. The reason behind this is because when you clean a ring with jewelry cleaner or soap and water, the minerals inside will be removed from the ring as well. These minerals have been built up over time to protect against tarnishing, so without them, your piece becomes much more susceptible to damage and wear-and-tear that could lead to a need for repairs down the line. However, we understand that if you’re going through all the trouble of selling your ring, you should make sure it looks as good as possible. The only exception to that rule is for Navajo jewelry, seek a professional’s opinion before you clean it. So if you decide to clean your jewelry please follow our advice on how to clean silver.
Is sterling silver hypoallergenic?
Sterling silver is not usually considered to be a material that causes allergic reactions. The most common cause of metal allergies is nickel, which is very rarely used in alloys. The commonly used copper and zinc are generally safe and may even help alleviate other types of skin irritation. Check with your jeweler what metals the alloys contain before buying anything to avoid any unnecessary issues.
Want to sell your silver ring?
AU Precious Metals purchase a lot of silver items from broken jewelry to industrial scrap silver. You can start selling your silver items including:
- Sterling silver flatware or hollow-ware
- Sterling silver scrap rings
- 90 percent silver U.S. coin
- Industrial scrap
- Electrolytic silver flake
- Silver bars, bullion, and coins
- Dental scrap, crowns, and miscasts
- Antique silver
- Mirrored silver powders
- Silver mesh and tubing
- Silver jewelry including bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, and more
Are you in need of quick cash and don’t want to go to a pawnshop for precious metals? You can sell your silver at AU Precious Metals, where we pay the most. We’ve been in the business for more than two generations and guarantee to pay you the highest payout for your items. One of our main objectives is to take care of your needs so call us when selling silver!
