Silver Calculator Guide: Purity, Pricing & Valuation
Whether you're buying jewellery, investing in bullion, or selling scrap silver, understanding purity and pricing gives you the upper hand.
Silver Purity Grades
| Type | Purity | Mark | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine silver | 99.9% | 999 | Bullion coins, bars |
| Britannia silver | 95.84% | 958 | UK hallmarked silverware |
| Sterling silver | 92.5% | 925 | Jewellery, cutlery |
| Coin silver | 90% | 900 | Historic US coins |
How to Calculate Silver Value
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purity of sterling silver?
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, marked as 925 (meaning 925 parts per 1000 are silver). The remaining 7.5% is usually copper, which adds durability. Pure silver (999) is too soft for most jewellery and utensils.
How is silver price quoted?
Silver is quoted per troy ounce (31.1035 g) in USD globally. To get price per gram: spot price ÷ 31.1035. In India, silver is also quoted per kilogram. Indian prices include import duty and GST (3%), so they're higher than the base international price.
What is the difference between silver and white gold?
Silver is a distinct element (Ag, atomic number 47) and much cheaper than gold. White gold is yellow gold alloyed with white metals (palladium, nickel, or silver) and rhodium-plated for colour. White gold tests as gold; silver tests as silver.
Does silver tarnish?
Yes. Silver reacts with hydrogen sulfide in the air to form silver sulfide (Ag₂S), the dark tarnish. Sterling silver (92.5%) tarnishes faster than pure silver because copper accelerates the reaction. Clean with silver polish or sodium bicarbonate paste.
Is silver a good investment?
Silver is a more volatile investment than gold — its price moves more sharply in both directions. The gold-to-silver ratio (currently 70–90x) has historically been 15–16x, suggesting silver is historically cheap relative to gold. Silver has industrial demand (electronics, solar panels) on top of investment demand.
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