🥈 Silver Melt Calculator
Calculate the melt value of your silver
Sterling silver is most common in jewelry (92.5% pure)
Current market price of silver per troy ounce
How to Use This Calculator
Weigh Your Silver
Weigh your silver items using a scale. Enter the weight and select the unit (grams, ounces, or troy ounces). Jewelry scales typically measure in grams.
Determine Purity
Check for purity marks on your silver items. Sterling silver is marked .925 (92.5%), coin silver is .900 (90%), and pure silver is .999 or .9999. If unmarked, have it tested.
Enter Current Silver Price
Enter the current market price of silver per troy ounce. You can find this on financial news websites, precious metals dealers, or metals exchanges. Prices fluctuate daily.
Calculate Melt Value
Click calculate to see the melt value of your silver. This is the intrinsic value based on silver content. Note that buyers may pay 70-95% of melt value.
Formula
Melt Value = (Weight × Purity) × (Silver Price per Troy Ounce ÷ 31.1035)
Where:
• Weight = Total weight of silver item (in grams)
• Purity = Decimal purity (e.g., 0.925 for 92.5% or .925 sterling silver)
• Silver Price per Troy Ounce = Current market price
• 31.1035 = Grams per troy ounce
Example Calculation:
If you have 100 grams of sterling silver (.925), silver price is $25/troy oz:
• Pure silver = 100g × 0.925 = 92.5 grams
• Price per gram = $25 ÷ 31.1035 = $0.804
• Melt value = 92.5g × $0.804 = $74.37
About Silver Melt Calculator
A silver melt calculator helps you determine the melt value (intrinsic value) of your silver items based on their weight, purity, and the current market price of silver. Melt value is the theoretical value of the pure silver content in an item, calculated by multiplying the pure silver weight by the current spot price of silver. This is useful when selling silver jewelry, silverware, coins, or other silver items, though actual selling prices may be 70-95% of melt value depending on the buyer and market conditions.
When to Use This Calculator
- Selling Silver: Calculate melt value before selling silver items
- Jewelry Evaluation: Determine melt value of silver jewelry
- Silverware: Calculate value of silverware sets
- Coin Evaluation: Determine silver content value in coins
- Investment Planning: Understand silver value for investment decisions
Understanding Silver Purity
- .999/.9999 (100% pure): Pure silver, very soft, rarely used in jewelry
- .925 (Sterling): 92.5% pure, most common in jewelry, durable and valuable
- .900 (Coin Silver): 90% pure, used in older US coins and some jewelry
- .800 (80%): Lower purity, common in European silver
Why Use Our Calculator?
- ✅ Accurate Calculation: Precise melt value calculation
- ✅ Multiple Units: Works with grams, ounces, and troy ounces
- ✅ Common Purities: Supports all common silver purity levels
- ✅ Current Prices: Use current market silver prices
- ✅ 100% Free: No registration or payment required
Tips for Selling Silver
- Know the Value: Use this calculator to know melt value before selling
- Shop Around: Get quotes from multiple buyers (jewelers, pawn shops, online buyers, refiners)
- Expect Less: Buyers typically pay 70-95% of melt value
- Clean Items: Clean silver may fetch slightly better prices
- Verify Purity: Have unmarked items tested by professionals
- Consider Antique Value: Some silver items may be worth more as antiques than scrap
Frequently Asked Questions
What is melt value?
Melt value (also called intrinsic value) is the value of the pure metal content in an item, calculated by multiplying the pure metal weight by the current market price. It represents the theoretical maximum value if the item were melted down and sold as pure metal.
How much will I actually get for my silver?
Buyers typically pay 70-95% of melt value, depending on the buyer, market conditions, and the form of your silver. Refined silver or coins typically fetch higher percentages than mixed scrap or jewelry. Shop around for the best price.
How do I find the current silver price?
You can find current silver prices on financial news websites (Bloomberg, CNBC), precious metals exchanges (LBMA, COMEX), silver dealer websites, or by calling local jewelers. Prices are quoted per troy ounce and update throughout the trading day.
What if my silver isn't marked with a purity stamp?
If your silver isn't marked, have it tested by a professional jeweler, pawn shop, or silver buyer. They use acid tests or electronic testers to determine purity. Unmarked items may be silver-plated rather than solid silver, so testing is important.