How We Grade and Price Scrap Silver
Sterling, coin silver, plated, or unmarked — how purity, weight and testing turn your scrap silver into a real CAD quote.
Scrap silver comes through our door every week — old flatware, broken chains, tarnished trays, drawer coins. Here's exactly how we turn it into a number, and how you can get an instant CAD estimate before you visit.
Step 1: Check the stamp
- 925 or 'Sterling' — 92.5% pure silver.
- 800 or 'Coin' — 80% pure silver (older European and Canadian coinage).
- 999 or '.9999' — investment-grade bars and rounds.
- 'EPNS', 'Silverplate', 'A1' — silver-plated only, no melt value.
Step 2: Weigh it on a certified scale
We weigh in grams on a Measurement-Canada-approved scale, in front of you. 31.1035 grams = 1 troy ounce.
Step 3: Test the questionable pieces
Unmarked or worn pieces get a non-destructive XRF or acid test. Plated items are separated and returned to you — we won't buy them, but we won't melt them by mistake either.
Step 4: The math
Payout = (grams ÷ 31.1035) × purity × current CAD spot, minus a small handling fee. We show every number on a printed receipt before you accept. Want to see how CAD spot itself is set? Read our spot price explainer, then sell your scrap silver with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
Do you buy silver-plated items?
No — plating is only a few microns of silver over base metal, and refining costs more than the silver is worth. Contact us if you're unsure what you have.
Can I test my own silver at home?
A strong magnet is the first check — real silver isn't magnetic. But acid or XRF is the only reliable purity test.