Sell Sterling Silver to Experienced Buyers & Appraisers
We buy and appraise sterling silver spoons, forks, flatware, trays, pitchers, tea sets and other silverware. Get an expert evaluation based on both the value of your sterling silver and its potential collector value.
Please visit us for a free sterling silver evaluation and appraisal – if you are selling, you will want our offer!
Sterling Specialists
Experienced evaluation of sterling silver and antique silverware.
Collector + Metal Value
We consider more than silver weight alone.
Serving the Southeast
Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and surrounding areas.
No-Pressure Offers
Understand your options before deciding whether to sell.
What To Know Before You Sell Your Sterling Silver
We have had the chance to buy tens of thousands of pieces of sterling silver. That includes everything from a $5 salad fork to $20,000 Tiffany masterpieces. We would love a chance to look at what you have and evaluate it for its collector value or its metal value. The guide below will help you get started and answer some FAQs that we regularly get.
Don’t Worry About Cleaning Your Silver
Save yourself the time and effort—cleaning your silver before selling won’t add value or increase your offer. If you’re only getting an appraisal and plan to keep and use the silver, feel free to polish it. Otherwise, bring it in as-is.
Some Antique Sterling Silver Is Collectible
Rare and desirable sterling can be worth more than its silver weight. This includes select Tiffany and Gorham patterns, early coin silver, and impressive pitchers, ewers, trays, and hollowware. We also maintain a library of reference books to help research rare pieces.
Sterling Knife Handles Are Usually Weighted
Don’t count the full weight of sterling-handled knives when estimating silver value. The handles are typically filled with another, non-precious metal or material that adds significant weight but little or no silver value.
Higher Silver Prices Have Changed Sterling Values
As silver prices rise, the metal value of many pieces can exceed what collectors would pay to use them. A pitcher or place setting once worth more as a collectible may now be worth more for its silver content. We evaluate both to determine where your piece has the most value.
Not Everything That Looks Silver Is Sterling
A silver appearance—or even having “silver” in the markings—doesn’t necessarily mean an item is sterling. We have equipment that can test the metal composition of your pieces, allowing us to verify exactly what they’re made of.
Sterling Silver vs. Silverplate: How to Tell the Difference
Sterling silver and silverplate can look nearly identical, but their silver content—and often their value—can be very different. The markings on the back or underside of a piece are usually the best place to start.
Sterling Silver
Silverplate
Send us a clear photo of the entire piece and another photo of any markings on the back or underside. We can often tell you whether it’s worth bringing in.
You'll work with Manning or Ben.
Our experienced sterling silver buyers and appraisers evaluate each collection for both silver and potential collector value.
Manning Garrett
Manning has been buying and appraising precious metals, antiques, coins, and other valuable collectibles since 2006. His experience evaluating rare material is especially important with sterling silver, where the maker, pattern, age, rarity, and craftsmanship can sometimes make a piece worth significantly more than its silver content alone.
Whether you have a single sterling piece, an inherited flatware set, or an entire estate collection, Manning takes the time to identify what you have and explain how its value is determined.
- ISA-certified appraiser (International Society of Appraisers, Chicago, 2014)
- Nearly two decades of hands-on buying and appraisal experience
- Extensive experience evaluating rare and collectible material
- Experienced with estates, inherited collections, and precious metals
- Access to an extensive reference library for researching unusual and rare pieces
Ben
Ben brings years of experience evaluating valuable collections, precious metals, and rare material. From 2016–2024, he traveled throughout the country working with nationally broadcast auctions and handling significant collections and multi-million-dollar consignments.
That experience gives him a trained eye for the details that matter when evaluating sterling—from metal content and weight to maker, pattern, age, condition, and potential collector demand.
- Years of professional experience evaluating rare and valuable material
- Extensive experience with precious metals and large collections
- Experienced in estate evaluations and inherited collections
- Skilled at identifying pieces that may warrant additional research
- Greenville native and full-time local buyer
ISA Certified
Appraiser (Chicago, 2014)
Lifetime member
SC Numismatic Assoc.
Lifetime Member
Society of Paper Money Collectors
How We Determine What Your Sterling Silver Is Worth
Sterling Content & Purity
Most American sterling is 92.5% silver and is commonly marked “Sterling,” “925,” or “.925.” Older and foreign pieces may use different marks or hallmarks. When markings aren’t conclusive, the metal itself can be tested.
Weight — But Not Just the Number on the Scale
Weight establishes a starting point for metal value, but not every gram of an object is necessarily silver. Knives, candlesticks, handles, and some hollowware can contain non-silver materials, so knowledgeable evaluation matters.
Maker & Silversmith
The name stamped on a piece can dramatically change how it should be evaluated. Pieces by Tiffany & Co., Gorham, Georg Jensen, Kirk Stieff, and other respected makers may deserve additional research before they’re valued simply for their silver content.
Pattern & Rarity
Two sterling forks of nearly identical weight can have very different values. Certain discontinued, scarce, or highly collected patterns can command premiums from collectors looking to complete sets.
Age, Condition & Monograms
Age alone doesn’t make sterling valuable, and a monogram doesn’t automatically make it worthless. Condition, craftsmanship, provenance, rarity, and collector demand all factor into whether a piece has value beyond its silver content.
Collector Value vs. Melt Value
Ultimately, the important question is whether an item is worth more as an object or as silver. We consider both before making an offer.
Sterling Silver Makers We Buy & Appraise
Gorham Manufacturing Company
We see a lot of Gorham silver and are especially interested in certain patterns.
Tiffany & Co.
We buy lots of Tiffany sterling, especially pitchers and aesthetic patterns.
Reed & Barton
Reed and Barton massproduced tens of millions of pieces of sterling flatware.
Georg Jensen
Some Jensen sterling can be collectible. We would definitely want to evaluate it in person.
International Silver Company
This comes in both sterling and silverplated. We can test yours and determine the value.
Wallace Silversmiths
Grand Baroque is the pattern we see most.
Towle Silversmiths
Old Master is the most encountered pattern from Towle. But all patterns will trend close to their silver value.
Kirk Stieff
Active for almost 85 years, Kirk Stieff was a sterling powerhouse out of Baltimore.
Lunt Silversmiths
This was one of the last active sterling makers in the United States.
Watson Company
A prolific sterling company known for patterns such as Meadow Rose, Wild Rose, John Alden, and a dozen others.
Not sure what you have? Call or text us a photo. If we can’t buy it, we’ll tell you who can.
Most Deals Close In 15–30 Minutes — Here's How
1
Call or text a photo
Reach Manning or Ben directly at (864) 979-5629. We’ll discuss what you have, give you an honest cash range, and tell you whether it’s worth bringing in.
2
Free, same-day cash offer
Walk in or schedule a time. Cash offers are always free — no obligation to sell. For larger collections, we’ll come to you.
3
Walk out paid in full
We have cash reserves on hand to close any deal in one transaction. You’ll walk out with the full amount in cash or a Wells Fargo check the same day.
5 Reasons to Trust Us — Whether You’re Selling a Few Pieces of Sterling Silver or an Entire Estate
01
Free, no-pressure offers — by phone or in person.
Bring it in, send a photo, or describe it on the phone. We’ll give you an honest cash offer up front, free — no obligation to sell. If we can’t buy it, we’ll tell you that too.
02
No lowballs because we ran out of cash.
Some smaller shops can only pay what fits in their cash drawer that day. A $30,000 collection turns into an $8,500 offer because that’s what they can afford. We don’t operate that way. The number we give you is what your sterling silver is actually worth.
03
Same-day cash or Wells Fargo check.
Big collections don’t get drawn out across multiple visits. Most deals close in 15 to 30 minutes with cash or a live check in your hand — your choice.
04
Professional appraisal experience — not just “years in the business.”
Our evaluations are backed by nearly two decades of hands-on buying and appraisal experience, including ISA appraisal training and extensive work with precious metals, estates, antiques, and valuable collections. We look beyond silver weight to consider maker, pattern, age, condition, rarity, and potential collector value.
05
We'll beat any local competitor's offer.
If a local dealer offers more for the same items in writing, bring us their offer — and we’ll beat it.
Gorham Sterling Silver Patterns
Gorham produced hundreds of sterling silver patterns, and identifying the pattern can be important when determining whether a piece has collector value beyond its silver content. Below are several Gorham patterns we commonly encounter and evaluate.
Buttercup (1899)
Camellia (1941-1942)
Celeste (1956)
Chantilly (1950)
Decor (1953)
Etruscan (1913)
Fairfax (1910)
Gadroon (1939)
Recent Sterling Silver Collection We Purchased
Frequently Asked Questions About Sterling Silver
Is silverplate worth anything?
Most silverplate has very little precious-metal value because it contains only a thin layer of silver. However, certain antique, rare, or desirable pieces may still have collector value.
How can I tell if it is sterling silver?
Look for markings such as “Sterling,” “925,” or “.925”, usually found on the back or underside. Older pieces may use hallmarks instead. If you’re unsure, we can test the metal to determine its composition.
Who buys sterling silver?
Sterling silver buyers, precious-metal dealers, collectors, and antique specialists may all purchase sterling. At Southeast Sterling, we evaluate both the silver value and potential collector value to determine what your pieces are worth.
Is now a good time to sell sterling silver?
It can be. When silver prices are strong, even common sterling flatware and serving pieces can have significant metal value. Collectible pieces may be worth even more depending on the maker, pattern, rarity, and demand.
What is the most collectible sterling silver?
Sterling from makers such as Tiffany & Co., Gorham, and other respected silversmiths can be highly collectible. Desirable flatware patterns, early coin silver, and impressive antique pitchers, ewers, trays, and other hollowware may be worth more than their silver weight.
How do I know I’m getting a fair price?
A fair evaluation should consider more than weight alone. We look at silver content, current silver value, maker, pattern, age, condition, rarity, and collector demand before making an offer. That helps ensure collectible pieces aren’t mistakenly valued only for their metal content.
What does “925” mean on silver?
A “925” or “.925” mark generally indicates that an item is sterling silver, meaning it contains 92.5% silver. American sterling may also simply be stamped “Sterling.” Older and foreign pieces can use different hallmarks, so an unfamiliar mark does not necessarily mean an item isn’t sterling.
Are sterling silver knives solid silver?
Usually not. Many sterling flatware knives have sterling silver handles filled with another material and blades made from stainless steel or another metal. Because of this, the total weight of a knife cannot be treated as sterling silver weight when determining its metal value.
Does a monogram reduce the value of sterling silver?
Not necessarily. A monogram can affect collector demand for certain pieces, but many sterling items still retain significant silver value regardless of engraving. Rare makers, desirable patterns, unusual pieces, and historically interesting monograms may also warrant additional evaluation before value is determined.
Do you buy incomplete sterling silver flatware sets?
Yes. A sterling flatware set does not need to be complete for us to evaluate or purchase it. We buy individual pieces, partial sets, mixed collections, serving pieces, and complete services. Certain makers and patterns may also have collector value beyond their silver content.
Do you buy damaged or broken sterling silver?
Yes. Bent, damaged, mismatched, or broken sterling can still have value because of its silver content. Before assuming an unusual or antique piece is only worth its metal value, however, we recommend having it evaluated for possible collector value.
What is coin silver?
Coin silver generally refers to American silver made before sterling became the dominant standard in the United States. It is commonly associated with early American spoons, flatware, and hollowware and may have a lower silver purity than sterling. Some coin silver is collectible and should be evaluated for its maker, age, rarity, and historical interest rather than simply weighed for silver.
Can you identify my sterling silver pattern?
In many cases, yes. Maker’s marks, pattern details, and the shape and decoration of a piece can help identify a sterling pattern. We have experience with makers such as Gorham, Tiffany & Co., Wallace, Towle, Reed & Barton, Kirk Stieff, and others, and we maintain reference materials for researching less familiar pieces.
Can you evaluate an inherited sterling silver collection or entire estate?
Yes. We regularly evaluate inherited collections and estates ranging from a single flatware set to large collections containing sterling, antiques, precious metals, and collectible pieces. Larger collections can be evaluated together so potentially valuable pieces can be identified rather than automatically treating everything as scrap silver.
Sterling Silver Buyers Serving the Southeast
Southeast Sterling is a trusted sterling silver buyer and appraiser serving sellers throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and the Southeast. Whether you’re ready to sell sterling silver or simply want to understand what your collection is worth, our experts can evaluate its silver content, maker, pattern, rarity and potential collector value.
Address
201 E Camperdown Way, Suite 200
Greenville, SC 29601
Hours
Monday – Friday: 10am – 5pm
Saturday: By appointment
Sunday: Closed