Hallmark guide · Silver
Sterling stamp: what it means on silver
STERLING (or 'Sterling Silver') marks an item as at least 925/1,000 pure silver. The FTC Jewelry Guides say the words 'Sterling', 'Sterling Silver' and 'solid silver' are misleading unless the item is at least 925/1,000 silver, and the US National Stamping Act bars the word 'sterling' on silver-plated articles.
- Metal
- Silver
- Purity
- 925/1000
- Where
- US / UK
01
Often confused with
- Words like 'Sterling Plate' or 'Sterling on copper' are not sterling: the Stamping Act forbids 'sterling' on silver-plated articles in any combination.
- UK antique sterling usually shows a lion passant rather than the word STERLING.
02
What a piece marked Sterling is worth
Melt value $146.48. Likely cash offer $102.54 – $131.83.
92.5% fine silver7.5% copper & alloy
Broken or unmarked pieces usually sell for melt. Get two quotes and compare them with the offer range above.
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