Silver Seller Guide
The silver spot price is live and public — here's exactly how much of it you'll receive
No buyer pays 100% of spot. Understanding the percentage they offer — and why — tells you immediately whether the offer is fair.
Ready to get a valuation?
The short answer
You'll receive 85–97% of spot depending on item type — the rest covers the buyer's costs
The silver spot price is the global benchmark for one troy ounce of .999 fine silver, updated continuously on the commodities markets and freely available online. Your silver is worth a fraction of that price determined by how much pure silver it actually contains — weight multiplied by purity.
No buyer pays 100% of spot. The gap between spot and your payment covers the buyer's assay costs, refining fees, overheads and margin. A transparent, specialist buyer will publish their rate. At British Gold Exchange, we offer 90% of spot for sterling silver jewellery and silverware, 95% for silver coins, and 97% for .999 bullion bars.
The key number to focus on is the percentage of spot. A buyer offering a flat £X per gram without disclosing what percentage of spot that represents is making it impossible for you to evaluate the offer. Calculate it yourself: divide their offer per gram by the current spot price per gram and multiply by 100.
What affects it
What moves the number you actually receive
Why British Gold Exchange
40+
Years in the precious metals business
£0
Cost to request your free insured postal pack
24h
Maximum time to receive your firm, itemised offer
100%
Of items returned free if you decline
How it works
From first contact to payment
Request Your Free Pack
We post a fully insured, tracked Royal Mail freepost envelope. No cost, no commitment required.
Send Your Items
Use our supplied packaging and post your items. They are covered by our insurance from the moment you drop them at the post office.
Receive Your Offer
A firm, itemised offer arrives within 24 hours. Every piece is weighed and XRF-tested for purity, then priced against the live silver spot price.
Get Paid
Accept and receive a same-day bank transfer. Decline and we return every item free of charge — no questions asked.
Common questions
Questions we hear most
How do I find today's silver spot price?
Search 'silver price per gram' or 'silver spot price GBP'. The LBMA publishes an official daily price; financial sites like Kitco, BullionByPost or our own metal prices page show live updates.
Why is the spot price in troy ounces but buyers quote per gram?
The global spot price is quoted per troy ounce (31.1035g). Divide the troy ounce price by 31.1035 to get the price per gram. Most UK buyers quote per gram as it's more practical for jewellery weights.
My silverware doesn't have a hallmark — does that affect the rate?
Unmarked items are XRF-tested to confirm purity. If confirmed as sterling (92.5%), the same rate applies. If a piece turns out to be silver-plated, it has no silver value and is returned.
What percentage of spot will I get for a full canteen of silver cutlery?
Sterling silver cutlery typically achieves 90% of the silver melt value. A full canteen can weigh 1–2kg of sterling, which at current prices can be worth several hundred pounds.
Is silver bullion (bars and coins) a better sale than silverware?
Bullion attracts rates of 95–97% of spot versus 90% for silverware — so per gram of silver content, bullion pays better. However, if your silverware is hallmarked and in good condition, it's worth checking whether it has any collector value above melt.
Get Started
Find out exactly what your silver is worth at today's spot price
Request your free insured pack, send your items, and receive a firm itemised offer based on live silver prices and XRF-verified purity — within 24 hours.