Sawed a Sterling candle stick in half today.
I've had a few of these over the years, but in the last few months I've acquired 3 pair.
They are all marked Sterling (Weighted). How much are they weighted with, I've always wondered. Then do I scraped or shine em up to sale. I paid $3 a pair for the first 2 pairs and a dollar for a pair yesterday. The latter ones were a little banged up. I took one of those and an electric saw and cut it in half. Peeled the silver off and weighed it. First of all, it was almost as thin as an aluminum beer can and this one was filled with rosin that had set up. The weight of the silver came out to 17 grams, so the pair is around an oz and a half. Note, Troy oz is a hair over 30 grams.
Scrap is around $25/oz. Most pawn shops and coin dealers would most likely give you $17. I'll sell that pair and shine up the other two and try $30/pair in the mall.
Hope this might help you some day.
multigraincracker
(33,950 posts)Vinca
(50,930 posts)I buy them on the cheap or get them free at the recycling shed at the dump. It's amazing how thin the silver is. One of these days I've got to take my box of scrap silver to the gold/silver buyer, although I've thought of learning how to melt it myself and making ingots.
multigraincracker
(33,950 posts)I have an artist friend that does castings in bronze and other metals. She might help me.
eppur_se_muova
(37,343 posts)Lots of YouTube videos on melting silver. It can be done with just propane but it takes longer. Alternatively, an 11" Fresnel lens solar furnace can get to 2000F, more than hot enough, and you don't pay for the fuel. You can get these from Scientifics (formerly Edmund Scientific) for about $6.
https://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/solar-furnace-plans-zmaz74jazhol
https://www.scientificsonline.com/product/large-surplus-fresnel-lens
ETA: DON'T FORGET THE EYE PROTECTION ! (Welding goggles or mask best if you're using solar)