Silver jewellery is where a good maker's mark can be worth many times the metal. A signed Georg Jensen brooch or a fine Arts and Crafts piece should never be weighed in as scrap. We read the hallmarks, identify the maker where we can, and assess both the collector value and the metal value — offering whichever is higher.
Free insured postage. Written valuation. Paid in 72 hours.
The short answer
To sell silver jewellery in the UK, have the hallmark read and the maker identified rather than accepting a scrap weight. Solid sterling is marked with the lion passant and 925; designer and antique pieces — Georg Jensen, Charles Horner, Liberty & Co, Arts and Crafts and Scandinavian work — are worth many times their metal value. Fair Vintage assesses both the collector value and the metal value, offers whichever is higher, and pays by bank transfer within 72 hours, with free insured postage both ways.
Silver jewellery ranges from plain modern sterling to signed designer work and fine antique pieces worth far more than their weight. This page is for jewellery specifically — if you have silver flatware, canteens, candlesticks or tea services, see our sell silver and silver plate page instead.
Georg Jensen, David Andersen, Charles Horner, Liberty & Co, Ola Gorie and mid-century Scandinavian and modernist makers all command a premium over unsigned silver. A signature or maker's mark is often the single biggest value factor. We identify the maker from marks, signatures and design.
Victorian, Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts silver jewellery — brooches, pendants, buckles and bangles — is sought after for its craftsmanship and design. Scottish agate and pebble jewellery is a distinct and collectable category. Assessed on maker, period, design and condition.
Sterling bangles, alberts and guard chains, lockets and pendants. Heavier solid pieces carry both metal and jewellery value; finely worked or engraved examples are valued for their quality. Hallmarks confirm the silver standard and often the date.
Silver brooches set with marcasite, garnet, amethyst, agate, turquoise or paste are assessed as complete pieces, stones and setting together. Named and finely made brooches sit well above scrap value.
Vintage silver charm bracelets are valued on the bracelet plus each charm — some individual charms are collectable in their own right. Keep the bracelet complete and do not remove charms; we assess the whole.
A jewellery box of assorted silver, an inherited collection, odd earrings and broken chains — send it all together. We sort, identify the marked and signed pieces, and value each properly rather than at a blanket scrap rate.
Sterling silver or silver plate? It matters enormously. Solid sterling is hallmarked with the lion passant and 925; silver-plated jewellery is usually marked EPNS or "silver plated", or unmarked. A single designer sterling piece can be worth more than a whole box of plate. If you are unsure, send a photograph of the marks and we will tell you before you post anything.
A full British silver hallmark comprises a standard mark (the lion passant for sterling, or the 925 millesimal figure), an assay office town mark (an anchor for Birmingham, a leopard's head for London, a rose for Sheffield, a castle for Edinburgh), a date letter, and often a maker's or sponsor's mark. Continental silver may be marked 800, 830, 835 or 900. The maker's mark is frequently the key to value. If the marks are worn or unfamiliar, email us a close-up and we will read them for you. For a fuller primer, see our guide to UK silver hallmarks.
Light tarnish is normal and expected — do not aggressively polish silver jewellery before selling, as harsh cleaning can wear detail, strip intended oxidised finishes and damage stones. On antique and designer pieces, honest original condition is preferred to an over-cleaned surface. Our guide to cleaning silver safely explains what to avoid.
Hallmarks read, maker identified where possible, collector value and metal value assessed separately, and the higher figure offered. Free insured postage both ways. No obligation — we return your jewellery free if you decline.
Request a free valuation →Is my silver jewellery solid silver or silver plated?
Solid sterling is hallmarked — most commonly the lion passant and 925, often with an assay town mark and date letter; Continental silver may be marked 800, 830, 835 or 900. Silver-plated jewellery is usually marked EPNS or "silver plated", or unmarked. If you cannot read a mark, email us a close-up and we will identify whether it is solid silver and, where possible, the maker and date.
Is my silver jewellery worth more than its scrap value?
Very often, yes. Plain, damaged or unmarked pieces may be closer to metal value, but designer, antique and finely made pieces are usually worth much more. Signed work by makers such as Georg Jensen, Charles Horner or Liberty & Co can be worth many times its silver weight. We assess both collector and metal value and offer whichever is higher.
Do you buy designer and signed silver jewellery?
Yes — signed and designer silver is where much of the value lies. Georg Jensen, David Andersen, Charles Horner, Liberty & Co, Ola Gorie and mid-century Scandinavian makers command a premium. Scottish agate, Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts pieces are also sought after. We identify the maker from signatures, hallmarks and design.
Do you buy silver jewellery set with stones, or with charms?
Yes. Silver set with marcasite, garnet, amethyst, agate, turquoise or other stones is assessed as a complete piece, stones and setting together. Charm bracelets are valued on the bracelet plus each charm. Do not remove charms or stones before selling — send the piece intact.
Should I polish or clean my silver jewellery before selling?
No aggressive cleaning. Light tarnish is normal, and on antique and designer silver an original patina can be part of the appeal. Harsh polishing wears detail, removes intended oxidised finishes and can damage stones. Leave the piece as it is and let our specialists assess it.
How much is silver jewellery worth in the UK?
It depends on maker, age, design, weight and condition. Plain sterling is valued near its metal content; signed designer work, quality antique jewellery and desirable Scandinavian and Arts and Crafts pieces sit well above scrap. We read the hallmarks, identify the maker where possible, and explain both the metal value and any collector premium in writing.
Do you buy broken, odd or incomplete silver jewellery?
Yes. Single earrings, snapped chains, bent bangles and damaged brooches are all worth sending. A broken but signed designer piece can still carry a collector premium, and even unmarked scrap sterling has a metal value we will pay. Do not throw anything away or attempt a repair before selling — send it as it is and we assess each piece on its merits rather than at a blanket scrap rate.
How do I read the hallmark on my silver jewellery?
A full British hallmark has a standard mark (the lion passant for sterling, or the 925 figure), an assay office town mark — an anchor for Birmingham, a leopard's head for London, a rose for Sheffield, a castle for Edinburgh — a date letter, and often a maker's mark. The maker's mark is frequently the key to value. If the marks are worn, tiny or unfamiliar, photograph them close-up and we will read and date them for you.
Do you buy Continental, Scandinavian or foreign silver jewellery?
Yes. Continental silver marked 800, 830, 835 or 900 is valued the same way as British sterling, on maker and quality as well as metal. Scandinavian modernist silver — Georg Jensen, David Andersen, Hans Hansen and Norwegian and Finnish makers — is especially sought after and often worth a strong multiple of its weight. We identify foreign marks and value the piece on its origin, maker and design.
Do you buy silver jewellery inherited through probate or a house clearance?
Regularly. Inherited jewellery boxes, mixed collections and estate lots are welcome — send everything together and we sort, identify the marked and signed pieces, and value each properly. We provide clear written valuations suitable for executors, never rush a family decision, and return anything you keep free of charge. A written figure gives multiple beneficiaries an independent basis to work from.
What is the difference between selling silver jewellery and silver flatware?
They are valued differently. Jewellery — bangles, brooches, chains and charm bracelets — is assessed on maker, design and wearability as well as metal. Flatware, canteens, candlesticks and tea services are valued as tableware, on pattern, weight, maker and completeness. This page covers the jewellery; for cutlery and hollowware see our sell silver and silver plate page, and send each to the right specialist.
What happens after I send my silver jewellery in?
Request a free, fully insured postage pack, send your silver jewellery to our specialists, and receive a written valuation explaining the figure. If you accept, payment is by bank transfer within 72 hours — and we pay a 3% penalty if we miss that guarantee. If you decline, we return the pieces free by insured post. Postage is covered both ways and insured up to £5,000, so there is no cost or risk in getting a figure.
Also see: Sell jewellery · Sell antique jewellery · Jewellery valuation · Silver valuation
Also buying: Silver & silver plate · Victorian jewellery · Costume jewellery