What it's worth · Silver
How much is a sterling silver tea set worth?
Most silver tea sets are silver plate, not sterling. Look for "Sterling" or "925" on every piece. "EPNS", "EP" or "Silver on copper" means plated, with almost no silver value. A sterling teapot often holds 400 to 900 grams of silver, and a full tea service 2 to 3 kilograms.
| Weight | Sterling |
|---|---|
| 400 g | — |
| 1 kg | — |
| 2.5 kg | — |
Melt value of the silver only. Buyers usually pay 60% to 85% of it. Connecting to price feed…
What a buyer takes off
- Wooden or ivory handles and finials.
- Weighted bases on candlesticks and some bowls, which are filled with cement or pitch.
Can it be worth more than its silver?
Often. Antique and maker-marked sets (Gorham, Tiffany, Georg Jensen, English hallmarked) can sell for much more at auction.
Before you sell
- Weigh each piece separately and add only the ones stamped sterling.
The weights above are typical, not yours: weigh your own piece in grams. A kitchen scale that reads to 0.1 g is close enough for a first estimate. Then compare two or three written offers as a percent of melt. Seewhat a fair price is.