Notes from the Silver Buyer
Evergreen Guides
How to Identify Sterling Silver — Marks & Tests
What to look for in hallmarks, '925' or 'STERLING' stamps, and quick at-home tests to tell real sterling silver from silver-plated items.
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Sterling Silver vs. Silver-Plated
Sterling silver has melt value; silver-plate generally does not. Learn how to spot the difference using marks, weight, and visible wear.
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Sterling Silver Flatware Value Guide 2026
What sterling silver flatware is worth in 2026 — per-piece values, pattern premiums, and how the live silver spot price drives your offer.
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Sterling Silver Brand Value Guide
How brand and pattern affect value for Gorham, Towle, Wallace, Reed & Barton, International, Lunt, Kirk Stieff, and Tiffany.
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Selling Inherited Sterling Silver
A practical guide for families and estates dealing with inherited sterling silver — how to assess what you have and get a fair, transparent offer.
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Latest Articles
What Happens When Silver Prices Drop?
Worried a dip in silver prices means you missed your window? Here is what a price drop really does to your sterling, why melt value sets a floor, and how to decide whether to wait or sell now.
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How to Sell Silver Without Getting Ripped Off
Worried about getting lowballed on your sterling silver? Here is exactly how a fair offer is calculated, the rip-off tactics to watch for, and how to verify any number before you sell.
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How to Sell Gold in Hampton Roads: Karats, Coins & Cash
Thinking about how to sell gold near me? Here is how a licensed buyer figures out what your gold jewelry, scrap gold, gold coins, and bullion are actually worth, and how to get fair cash for gold in Hampton Roads.
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How Much Silver Do You Actually Have? A Seller's Guide
Most people overestimate how much sterling silver they own. Here's a realistic, no-pressure guide to figuring out what you actually have before you call a buyer.
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Pattern Spotlight: Gorham Chantilly Sterling Flatware
Gorham Chantilly is the single most-produced sterling silver flatware pattern in American history. Here's what makes it special and what it's worth today.
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April 2026 Silver Market Update | Hampton Roads Sellers
Where the silver spot price sits in April 2026, what's been moving the market, and what it means for people in Hampton Roads thinking about selling sterling.
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