Sell sterling silver in Vermont or by mail
Find out what your sterling is worth by weight, with no obligation.
Inherited a drawer of flatware? Settling an estate? Found a tea set in the attic? Tell us what you have and we'll send a quote based on current spot price, weight and purity. Then you decide: mail-in, local drop-off or meeting, or no sale at all.
- Spot-based quotes
- No obligation to sell
- Local Vermont or mail-in
- Photos welcome by email
What we buy
Silver is our focus. Complete sets, single pieces, damaged items and mixed lots are all welcome to request a quote.
Sterling flatware
Forks, spoons, knives and serving pieces, in full sets or odd lots, including monogrammed or dented pieces.
Hollowware & tea sets
Tea and coffee services, bowls, trays, candlesticks, pitchers and other serving pieces.
Silver jewelry
Sterling chains, bracelets, rings, brooches and broken or unwanted pieces.
.900 coin silver
Coin silver items and 90% silver coinage, plus older pieces marked "coin" or ".900".
Silver bars & rounds
Bullion bars and rounds in common sizes.
Gold, coins & jewelry
Gold jewelry, scrap gold, and coins. Mention them in your request and we'll let you know how we'd handle them.
Not sure what you have? Describe it, then email a few photos. We'll take it from there.
Start a quote requestHow quotes work
Every quote is built from three things: the current spot price of silver, the weight of the silver in your items, and its purity. Spot moves throughout the day, so a quote reflects the market at the time it is prepared.
Troy ounces vs. grams
Precious metals are priced per troy ounce, which is heavier than the ounce on your kitchen scale.
| 1 troy ounce | 31.1035 grams |
|---|---|
| 1 regular (avoirdupois) ounce | 28.35 grams, about 0.911 troy ounce |
If you weigh items at home, use grams if your scale has that setting. Round numbers are fine for a first estimate.
Purity matters too. Sterling is 92.5% silver, so 100 g of sterling holds about 92.5 g of pure silver (roughly 2.97 troy oz). Our quote is based on that pure silver content, not the gross weight alone.
Spotting .925 and "Sterling" marks
Look on the back of the handle, the underside or base, or inside a clasp or ring band. A magnifier or phone camera zoom helps.
| Mark | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| "STERLING", "925", "925/1000" | 92.5% silver |
| "900", "COIN" | Often 90% silver, such as coin silver |
| "800", "830", "835" | Lower-purity silver, common on continental European pieces |
| "EPNS", "plate", "A1", "IS" | Typically silver plate, which holds very little silver |
Marks aren't proof by themselves. We verify purity as part of inspection.
Scrap value vs. collectible value
Scrap value is what the silver metal is worth: weight × purity × spot. Collectible value is what a collector might pay for a rare pattern, a notable maker, historical significance or exceptional condition.
Our quotes are based on the metal. If a piece looks like it may carry collector interest, we'll flag it so you can consider an appraisal or specialist before deciding. Most everyday flatware and mixed lots are valued as metal.
Good to know: some items aren't solid silver throughout. Weighted sterling pieces (candlesticks, some handles) contain filler, and many knives have stainless blades. Only the silver counts toward silver weight, which is why inspection matters.
Ready for a spot-based quote? It takes a few minutes and costs nothing.
Start a quote requestThree steps, and you stay in control
Describe your items & send photos
Tell us what you have, roughly how much, and where you are. Then email photos of the pieces and their marks to speed things up.
Receive a spot-based quote
We reply with a quote built from current spot, weight and purity, along with what we'd still need to confirm at inspection.
Choose how to proceed
Mail your items in, arrange a local drop-off or meeting in Vermont, or simply decline. There's no obligation to sell.
Mail-in guidance
Every transaction is different, so the specifics are confirmed with you in writing, in your quote, before anything is sent or any sale is completed. That way you only act on information that applies to your situation.
| Topic | What you'll receive in writing | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping | Method and carrier instructions | Provided with your quote |
| Insurance | How the shipment is covered | Provided with your quote |
| Payment method | How and when you would be paid | Provided with your quote |
| ID | What, if anything, is required for your transaction | Provided with your quote |
| Turnaround | What to expect for your situation | Provided with your quote |
| Return shipping | How items come back to you if you decline | Provided with your quote |
| Legal business name | The entity you would be dealing with | Not yet published here. Ask us before you submit. |
| Location | Where items are received or where a local meeting happens | Not yet published here. Ask us before you submit. |
| License | Any dealer or business license that applies | Not yet published here. Ask us before you submit. |
We would rather leave a detail blank than state it before it is confirmed. Want any of these answered before you submit anything? Email julien@relaycairn.com.
General packing tips
- Photograph every piece, and the whole box before sealing, so you have your own record.
- Wrap pieces individually so they can't rub or bend. Silver is soft.
- Use a sturdy box with firm padding on all sides, and keep heavy items from shifting.
- Don't mark the outside of the box with what's inside.
- Use a carrier that provides tracking and signature confirmation, and keep your receipt and tracking number.
- Ask your carrier how declared value and insurance work for your package.
- Include your name and contact details inside the box.
How we weigh and test, and what happens if you say no
The weighing & testing process
- Inspect. We check each item for marks, construction and condition, and set aside anything that isn't solid silver, such as plated pieces, steel blades and fillers.
- Test purity. We confirm the silver content rather than relying on stamps alone.
- Weigh. We weigh the silver and calculate pure-silver content.
- Offer. We apply the current spot price and share the offer along with how we got there.
Initial quotes from photos are estimates. The final offer depends on inspection, weight and purity.
If you decline the offer
That's completely fine. If you decline, no sale takes place and your items remain yours. For mail-in lots, we coordinate getting them back to you, and return details are confirmed in writing before you ship anything.
We'd rather you feel comfortable with the process than feel pressured. If you want another opinion or an appraisal, take your time.
Questions first?
Email julien@relaycairn.com and we'll answer in plain language.
See how your silver is valued by weight, with no pressure to sell.
Start a quote requestRequest your spot-based quote
The more detail you give, the better the quote. Rough estimates are fine. Submitting this form does not commit you to selling.
Frequently asked questions
Is my silver worth more as scrap or as a collectible?
It depends on the piece. Scrap value is the metal itself: weight, purity and the current spot price. Certain makers, rare patterns and pieces in exceptional condition can be worth more to a collector. Our quotes are based on metal value. If something looks like it may have collector interest, we'll flag it so you can decide whether to get a specialist opinion first.
Do I need ID to sell?
Requirements can vary by transaction and location. We'll tell you exactly what's needed, in writing, before any sale is completed, so there are no surprises.
My silver is tarnished. Should I polish it first?
No. Tarnish doesn't reduce silver content, and polishing or chemical dips can strip patina or damage pieces that may have collector value. Leave everything as it is. Just photograph the marks.
How long does it take?
We haven't published a fixed turnaround time. When we reply to your request, we'll tell you what to expect for your situation. For mail-in lots, timing also depends on shipping.
Can I get a final price from photos?
Photos and a description let us prepare a spot-based quote, but the final offer depends on inspection, weight and purity. Spot also changes during the day.
Do you buy silver-plated items?
Silver plate holds very little silver and generally isn't valued like sterling. If you aren't sure whether a piece is sterling or plated, send photos of the marks and we'll tell you what we see.
How do I send photos?
Submit the quote request form, then email your photos to julien@relaycairn.com. Include close-ups of any marks, such as "Sterling" or "925", and one photo of the whole lot.