Question about scrap silver

[jesse1111]

When buying say a butter knife how much of the weight is accounted for in the blade if the blade isn't silver. Same question for items that are weighted such as candle holders etc.
Thanks

[Robarons]

10-15 grams per a normal butter knife in my experiences

Weighted items tend to be 10% silver by total weight. Depending on what parts are actually weighted- candlesticks are more weighted compared to a candy dish with a weighted bottom.

Average sized candlesticks yield 20-25 grams per stick. Smaller ones can go as low at 15 grams each and larger sticks can yield up to 50 grams each.

Name brands and deeper intricate patterns indicate heavier sterling. Gorham, International, Frank Whiting, Tiffany yield more silver.

Naturally tall candlesticks and candelabras have more sterling and can vary. Sterling candy dishes, compotes, etc can also be sterling be traditionally have less sterling by weight.

[jesse1111]

Thanks for the quick reply. A lot of good information there.

[Robarons]

Best way to approach Sterling handles and weighted items is to buy cheap and hammer the crap out of it to get the sterling foil.

By learning this experience and weights your able to gauge what these items are worth in the future. For example at current prices I wouldnt pay more than $15 per a candlestick unless it was large/detailed ornate design/or by a well known maker that can all increase Sterling content.

Be warned that some antique malls,dealers,etc sometimes price the object of being pure sterling, but their not. Likewise some dont have a clue or guess poorly allowing you to fetch a steal.

[mflugher]

in our shop we treat silver knife handles as 5 pennyweights, aprox 7.9g, in actuality they tend to weigh out at about 7 to 11 dwt after we get as much of the plaster out as we can, however I figure I'm paying a kid $10 an hour to break the handles out and that is worth something too. plus gotta estimate a bit low to be careful.