Scrap Silver
Also: Silver Scrap, Recycled Silver, Secondhand Silver
Scrap silver refers to used silver from jewellery, cutlery, coins, or industrial products that is melted down or processed as a raw material.
Scrap silver encompasses all silver-bearing objects that are returned to the silver market as secondary raw material after their primary period of use. This includes jewellery pieces, silverware and cutlery, coins from silver circulation currency, dental alloys, and industrial components such as solder paste, contact materials, and photographic chemicals. Unlike investment products such as bars or bullion coins, the fineness of scrap silver is often heterogeneous and must be determined before further processing.
Fineness Overview
The most important silver alloys found in scrap silver in Germany and Europe:
| Hallmark | Fineness | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 800 | 80.0 % Ag | German silverware, older cutlery |
| 835 | 83.5 % Ag | Jewellery, cutlery (DE/NL, 19th/20th century) |
| 925 | 92.5 % Ag | Sterling silver – jewellery, silverware worldwide |
| 958 | 95.8 % Ag | Britannia silver (UK) |
| 999 | 99.9 % Ag | Fine silver, bars, investment coins |
The fineness is generally identified by the stamped hallmark. If no hallmark is present, X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) or a streak test is recommended.
Melt Value Calculation
The material value of scrap silver is derived from weight, fineness, and the current silver spot price:
Melt value (€) = Gross weight (g) × Fineness (‰ ÷ 1000) × Silver price (€/g)
The current silver price per gram and the melt value for any piece can be determined to the second with the Melt Value Calculator. The Silver Calculator additionally allows input in various units (grams, ounces, kilograms).
Buying Price vs. Melt Value
Dealers and refineries always pay less than the calculated melt value for scrap silver. The difference – also referred to as the spread – covers analysis costs, melting effort, and margin. Typical buying rates are between 70 % and 90 % of melt value, depending on quantity and purity. The Buying Price Calculator can be used to determine a realistic reference value.
Factors influencing the buying price:
- Fineness and legibility – hallmarked pieces achieve better terms than unstamped goods.
- Quantity – larger lots are generally valued with a lower discount.
- Purity – heavily soiled or soldered pieces increase the processing effort.
- Sales channel – refineries generally pay more than general buyers.
Tax Notes
When selling scrap silver from private ownership, a taxable private disposal transaction (§ 23 EStG) may arise if the period between acquisition and sale is less than one year and the profit exceeds the annual tax-free allowance. Not tax or investment advice – please consult a tax adviser for binding information.
For cash sales from €2,000 per transaction (or multiple recognisably related transactions), the identity verification requirement under the Anti-Money Laundering Act applies.
In Brief
Scrap silver is not waste, but a valuable secondary raw material whose material value can be calculated precisely. The decisive factors are fineness, weight, and the current silver price – all three can be combined with just a few clicks in the Melt Value Calculator.