Published 22 February 2026
Solid silver versus plated
The first thing to know is what is solid silver and what is plated. Solid silver carries a hallmark, usually 925 for sterling, and is bought for its silver content. Items stamped EPNS, "silver plated" or simply "plated" have only a thin surface layer of silver and little recoverable value. Send a photo of the marks on WhatsApp if you are unsure; the XRF assay also separates plated from solid for certain.
Why silver value is weight-driven
Silver trades far below gold per gram, so silver value usually comes from weight rather than rarity. A full set of sterling flatware will often produce a meaningful offer; a single sterling chain rarely will. Send the whole lot together. There is no postage benefit to sending in batches.
Weighted handles and filled bases
Candlesticks, knife handles, trophy bases and similar items often contain non-silver filler for stability. The XRF assay and weighing account for this, and your written breakdown shows the figure honestly rather than pretending the whole item is solid silver. We still buy the silver content; the filler is excluded.
How to send silver
- Group everything together, sterling jewellery, flatware, hallmarked silverware, silver coins.
- Wrap each item to stop movement; small pieces in sealed bags.
- Use a small rigid box rather than a soft envelope for a heavy lot.
- Request a Royal Mail Special Delivery label and post at a counter.
- Receive the written valuation and decide.
Common questions
How much is silver worth per gram?
Considerably less than gold, silver trades at a much lower per-gram rate. The indicative figures by standard (925, 800, 999) are on <a href="/silver-price-today-uk">silver price today</a>.
Do you buy silver plate or EPNS?
No. The silver layer on plated items is too thin to recover. We buy solid sterling (925), Britannia (958) and 800-standard silver only.
Will the offer include the weight of weighted handles?
The weighted filler is excluded. You are paid for the measured silver content, and the written breakdown shows the figure honestly.