How to Appraise Sterling Silver Jewelry

Clean your silver jewelry using a soft cloth to buff out tarnish. Wipe off fingerprints and other temporary markings. A chemical solution called a tarnish dip may be used if tarnish is exceptionally heavy. Silver polish can be used, but may not be able to clean crevices and grooves in the piece.

Inspect your piece carefully using a magnifying glass. If the metal is sterling silver, there will be two quality marks: one will say sterling, ster., 925 or .925, The other mark will be a name or initials of the maker or a registered trademark. If the first quality mark is not on your jewelry, it most likely is coin silver. Write down what you think these markings say, along with any other permanent flaws in the item.

Perform your own in-home testing to assure your item is sterling silver before you appraise it. Scratch lightly on an inconspicuous spot on the jewelry and apply nitric acid. If the color of the item turns gray, it is sterling silver.

Consult a pricing and identification guide for silver jewelry once you have determined that your item is authentic and you want to appraise it. "Collectible Silver Jewelry: Identification and Value Guide" by Fred Rezazadeh is available at Amazon. See the Resources section below for a link.

Make an appointment to bring your sterling silver jewelry to an appraiser. If you have not already tested the piece for authenticity, she will perform tests, as well as verify the quality markings on piece to be able to tell you its worth. Appraisers are often very busy, so be prepared to leave your jewelry with her for a period of time.