Chloe Adams
If you're looking to scrap sterling candle sticks, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, determine if your candle sticks are solid silver or weighted. Most scrap places will not buy weighted sterling, so you may need to remove the weighted material before selling. The process of removing the weight will destroy the original piece, so consider if it's worth more as a whole item. You can sell your scrap silver by weight, and the price will depend on the spot price of silver, which changes daily. Alternatively, you can try selling your candle sticks as a whole item online or to local dealers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sterling candle sticks are weighted | Yes |
| Weighted items are accepted as scrap | No |
| Tarnish affects their value as silver | No |
| Places to sell | Pawn shops, indoor flea market dealers, antique dealers, eBay, local coin shop, precious metal buyer |
| Average weight | 45 grams |
| Average price | $10 each |
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What You'll Learn
How to remove the weighted material from sterling candle sticks
Sterling silver candle holders are often weighted to prevent them from tipping over. However, if you want to sell them for scrap, you will likely need to remove the weighted material first, as most scrap places will not buy weighted sterling.
To remove the weighted material from sterling candle sticks, you can try the following methods:
Melting
One option is to melt out the resin or pitch in the bottom part of the candle sticks. This can be done in a toaster oven outside, but be careful as the resin will drip out and burn. You will also get firescale on the silver if you heat it in the presence of oxygen. Alternatively, you can use a torch, as one source mentions using a torch to melt out the resin in sterling knife handles.
Freezing
Another method is to put the candle sticks in the freezer for a while, which will cause the resin inside to shatter like a frozen chocolate bar. You can then break the resin free from the metal rod with a few smacks using a hammer.
Pulling
You can also try pulling the weighted material out using a pair of pliers. This method may be more difficult and may result in destroying the piece.
Once you have removed the weighted material, you can take the candle sticks to a local coin shop or precious metal buyer to sell them for scrap. These shops will usually only accept the candle sticks if they have been stripped down, and they will not give full value if they are not stripped.
It is important to note that removing the weighted material from sterling candle sticks may be a time-consuming and challenging process, and it may not be worth the effort in terms of the scrap value of the silver. Additionally, always use gloves and protective eyewear when handling candle sticks with weighted material, as there may be plaster, wax, or other substances present that could be hazardous.
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How to calculate the scrap value of sterling candle sticks
Sterling silver candlesticks are often weighted to prevent them from tipping over. This means that they are not solid silver and are, therefore, less valuable. Most scrap places will not buy weighted sterling, so if you want to sell your sterling silver candlesticks for scrap, you will first need to remove the weighted material. This can be done by freezing the candlestick, which will cause the resin inside to shatter, and then using a hammer to break the resin into pieces. You can then melt the pieces into an ingot.
Once you have removed the weighted material, you can calculate the scrap value of your sterling silver candlesticks. The first step is to weigh your candlesticks. Silver is weighed in troy ounces, so make sure your scale is set to this unit of measurement. Next, you need to determine the spot price of silver, which is the current market price. This can be found online and changes daily. Finally, you can use the following formula to calculate the scrap value:
Scrap value = weight of candlesticks in troy ounces x spot price of silver
For example, let's say your sterling silver candlesticks weigh 45 grams, which is equivalent to 1.47916 troy ounces. If the spot price of silver is $25 per troy ounce, the scrap value of your candlesticks would be:
47916 troy ounces x $25 = $36.98
It is important to note that scrapers will typically sell at a discount to the actual value, sometimes as low as 60% to 70% of the price calculated above. Additionally, the purity of sterling silver can vary, and some refineries will test the purity of your metal, which may affect the final payout.
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Where to sell sterling candle stick scrap
If you are looking to sell sterling candle stick scrap, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, it is important to determine whether the candlesticks are solid silver or simply marked "Sterling" and weighted with a different material. Most scrap places will not buy weighted sterling, so if your candlesticks fall under this category, you would need to remove the weighted material before selling. YouTube has several videos demonstrating how to do this.
Once you have separated the silver from the weighted material, you can sell the silver scrap to refineries or local dealers. Midwest Refineries, for example, pays 90% of the spot price for sterling silver. However, they do not accept weighted items. Local dealers, such as pawn shops or indoor flea market dealers, may also purchase your scrap sterling candle sticks, but they might only pay 50% or less of the value.
Another option is to sell your candlesticks online through platforms like eBay. Cleaning and polishing your candlesticks before selling them may increase their value. Additionally, consider doing some research on the candlesticks' value as objects before deciding to sell them for their silver content. Sometimes, keeping them in their original condition and selling them as a collectible can fetch a higher price.
When dealing with scrap silver, it is important to exercise caution and wear protective gear, such as gloves and eyewear, when handling the materials. It is also recommended to do your due diligence and research the reputation and terms of any dealer or refinery you consider selling to.
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How to remove the sterling silver from weighted candle sticks
Sterling silver candle holders are often weighted to prevent them from tipping over. The silver used is usually quite thin, and the candle cup, stem sections, and base are filled with pitch, resin, or plaster.
If you want to remove the sterling silver from weighted candle sticks, you can try the following methods:
- Put the candle stick in the freezer. Once the resin is frozen, it will shatter like a frozen chocolate bar, and you can break it free from the metal rod with a few taps of a hammer.
- Use a box cutter to peel away the sterling silver coating, as you would peel an orange.
- Melt the resin or pitch. This method will take a couple of hours and will destroy the piece.
Once you have removed the sterling silver, you can take it to a local coin shop or precious metal buyer to sell it as scrap silver. However, keep in mind that most scrap places will not buy weighted sterling, and your sterling silver may lose value if you remove it from the candle stick. Alternatively, you could try selling the whole candle stick online, on sites such as eBay.
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How to clean sterling candle sticks before selling for scrap
Sterling silver candlesticks can be sold for scrap value, but it is important to note that many scrap places will not buy weighted sterling. Therefore, if you want to increase the value of your candlesticks, you can remove the weighted material. This can be done by freezing the candlesticks and then breaking off the resin with a hammer. You can then melt the remaining pieces into an ingot.
However, if you would like to sell your sterling silver candlesticks as they are, you may want to clean them first to increase their value. Tarnish does not affect the metal value, but it may make your candlesticks more attractive to buyers.
There are several ways to clean sterling silver candlesticks. One method involves using a dishpan, aluminium foil, and baking soda. First, line a dishpan with aluminium foil, shiny side up. Next, pour in one cup of baking soda and enough boiling water to fill the pan two-thirds full. Submerge the candlesticks for about one minute, then rinse with hot water and dry with a soft cloth.
Another method is to use a cloth soaked in Hagerty's silversmiths' polish. Alternatively, you can use toothpaste, but be sure to use non-whitening toothpaste as whitening formulations may contain abrasives that can scratch the silver.
If you are looking to sell your sterling silver candlesticks, it may be worth trying local places such as pawn shops or indoor flea market dealers. You can also try selling them online, for example, on eBay.
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Frequently asked questions
Removing the weight from sterling candle sticks usually involves pulling them apart with a pair of pliers, melting the pieces into an ingot, or using a screwdriver to lift the rolled crimp around the bottom of the ring.
You can sell your sterling candle sticks at local places such as pawn shops, indoor flea markets, or antique dealers. You can also sell them online on websites such as eBay.
The value of your sterling candle sticks depends on the weight of the silver they contain. The silver spot price is usually around $25 per troy ounce, and the amount of silver in a standard-sized weighted candle stick ranges from 0.55 to 1.21 troy ounces, with an average of 0.85. Therefore, a standard-sized weighted candle stick is worth between $12 to $28.
