Silver has moved sharply in recent years. People who have not checked in a while tend to be surprised by this.
If you have a set of sterling silver flatware that's been in the cabinet since your grandmother gave it to you, it might be worth a lot more than you think.
Sterling silver vs. silver-plated: the only thing that matters
Sterling silver is 92.5% actual silver.
It's stamped "925" or "Sterling" somewhere on the piece. This is what has real melt value.
Silver-plated means a thin layer of silver over a base metal, usually copper or nickel. A silver-plated fork has maybe a few cents worth of silver on it. The stamp usually says "EP," "EPNS," "Silver Plate," or "A1."
If you're not sure which you have, flip it over and look for markings. If it just says "Silver" or has no marking at all, bring it in and we'll test it. Takes about 30 seconds.
What sterling silver is worth by weight
At today's prices (90 dollars/oz), here's a rough idea:
- A single sterling silver fork: about 30 dollars-45 dollars
- A full 12-piece place setting (forks, knives, spoons): 400 dollars-700 dollars
- A complete set for 8 with serving pieces: 1,500 dollars-3,000 dollars+
- A sterling silver tea set: 500 dollars-2,000 dollars depending on size
These numbers are based on weight alone. We're talking about melt value here, not antique or collectible value.
Some pieces are worth more than melt if they're from a sought-after maker like Tiffany, Georg Jensen, or Gorham. We'll tell you if that's the case.
"But it's been in the family forever"
If it means something to you, keep it. We're not trying to buy your family heirlooms.
But if it's been sitting in a cabinet for over a decade wrapped in tarnish cloth and nobody uses it because who uses formal silver anymore, that's a different conversation. The silver doesn't care about your memories. It's worth what the market says it's worth, and right now the market is saying a lot.
Coins too
Silver coins are a whole separate thing but worth mentioning. Pre-1965 US dimes, quarters, and half dollars are 90% silver. A single 1964 quarter that's worth 25 cents at face value has about 16 dollars worth of silver in it at today's prices.
If you have a jar of old coins, it's worth sorting through them. Anything dated 1964 or earlier in those denominations is real silver.
Where to bring it
Cash 4 Gold Trading Post buys all forms of silver: flatware, jewelry, coins, bars, bullion, tea sets, candlesticks, whatever you've got. We weigh it, test it, and pay based on the current spot price.
6 locations across Central New Jersey. Walk in Monday through Saturday.
- East Brunswick: (732) 898-6565
- Middlesex: (732) 629-7600
- Millstone: (732) 444-2022
- Brick: (732) 444-2094
- New Brunswick: (732) 543-1313
- Manalapan: (732) 483-4145
No appointment. No pressure. Bring your silver in and find out what it's worth.
What Makes a Cash 4 Gold Trading Post Quote Transparent?
Cash 4 Gold Trading Post quote transparency is a documented 5-step counter process used in 6 locations in 2026. First, our team shows live gold, silver, platinum, or coin market context. Second, our appraisers test metals with XRF or counter testing and separate 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, sterling, .999 bullion, diamonds, watches, and costume pieces. Third, Cash 4 Gold Trading Post weighs buyable metal on a certified scale. Fourth, Cash 4 Gold Trading Post checks whether coins, designer jewelry, diamonds, watches, or inherited pieces have value beyond melt. Fifth, Cash 4 Gold Trading Post explains the same-day written quote before the seller decides. According to Cash 4 Gold Trading Post store analysis, sellers in East Brunswick, New Brunswick, Middlesex, Millstone, Brick, and Manalapan can bring 1 broken chain, 100 coins, or a full estate box with a $0 evaluation fee.
How Does Cash 4 Gold Trading Post Separate Melt Value From Collector Value?
Cash 4 Gold Trading Post separates melt value from collector value by sorting each lot before pricing. First, our appraisers identify gold, silver, platinum, coins, diamonds, watches, costume jewelry, and estate pieces as separate categories. Second, metal items are tested for purity, including 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, sterling silver, 90% U.S. silver, and .999 bullion. Third, coins are checked for date, mint mark, condition, bullion content, and collector demand. Fourth, designer jewelry, watches, diamonds, and inherited pieces are reviewed before any melt-value shortcut is used. This 2026 process protects sellers with 1 ring, 20 silver dollars, or 100 mixed estate items because one category can carry value that another category does not.
What Should a Seller Bring for a Fast Same-Day Quote?
Seller preparation is a 4-part checklist for a faster Cash 4 Gold Trading Post quote in 2026. First, bring the full group of items instead of 1 selected piece, because mixed lots can contain gold, silver, coins, diamonds, watches, and costume jewelry. Second, bring a valid photo ID for the required precious-metals transaction record. Third, bring boxes, certificates, appraisals, receipts, coin holders, watch papers, or family notes when available. Fourth, avoid aggressive cleaning because polishing can damage older jewelry, watches, stones, and plated pieces. Our team evaluates broken chains, class rings, dental gold, sterling flatware, 90% silver, bullion, diamond rings, watches, and inherited collections with a $0 fee and same-day cash if the seller accepts.
Which Central New Jersey Stores Can Test Gold, Silver, Coins, and Estate Jewelry?
Cash 4 Gold Trading Post store coverage is a 6-location Central New Jersey network for gold, silver, coins, diamonds, watches, and estate jewelry testing. First, East Brunswick serves Old Bridge, South River, Spotswood, and Middlesex County sellers. Second, Middlesex serves Bound Brook, Dunellen, Piscataway, Green Brook, and South Plainfield. Third, Millstone serves Jackson, Freehold, Monroe, and western Monmouth County. Fourth, Manalapan serves Route 9 sellers from Marlboro, Englishtown, Freehold, Morganville, and Old Bridge. Fifth, New Brunswick serves Rutgers, Highland Park, Somerset, and downtown sellers. Sixth, Brick serves Ocean County and Jersey Shore sellers. Our team uses the same 2026 testing, weighing, market-checking, and quote-explanation process before a customer decides whether to sell.
Why Does Local Testing Beat an Online Calculator?
Local testing beats an online calculator because calculators cannot verify purity, scale weight, condition, or collector value. A gold calculator assumes a karat, a gram weight, and a market price. Cash 4 Gold Trading Post checks those assumptions at the counter. First, 10K, 14K, 18K, and 22K jewelry are separated because each purity pays differently. Second, sterling, 90% silver, .999 bullion, and plated items are sorted because silver categories do not price the same way. Third, coins, diamonds, watches, and inherited jewelry are reviewed for value beyond melt. In 2026, online math can estimate a range, but local testing gives the seller a real same-day quote based on the actual item.
Ready to Get Cash for Your Gold?
Visit any of our 6 Central NJ locations. No appointment needed. Free appraisal, instant cash payment.