That silver bracelet you haven’t worn in years may be worth more than you paid for it! Prices for the precious metal have hit record highs, meaning anyone with silver coins can make a substantial profit on them for the first time in decades. Why did the price of silver increase? We got experts to break down the details of this economic boom, plus reveal everything you need to know about selling your silver for cash.
The news that silver prices have hit record highs may come as a surprise to many, but experts say it could be for a few different reasons.
It’s no secret that gold prices have skyrocketed, prompting many people to sell their gold jewelry and other antiques that they no longer want. This increase in demand for gold has led many to view silver as a Giffen good — a term that describes an inferior product whose demand increases when its price rises, usually because the substitute (gold in this case) is more expensive.
“As the price of silver rises, those looking to invest just for a quick profit jump on board,” says Joshua Glosson, author of Precious Metals and Content Manager at Money Metals Exchange. “Some of these investments are practical; for example, when buying jewelry, people may opt for gold, silver, or pure silver because the price of gold has become too high for many people to buy.”
Technology companies in the U.S. and abroad are finding more ways than ever to use the metal, driving up both demand and prices.
“Most high-quality solar panels use silver,” Glosson explains. “Other technological applications include satellites, smartphones, electric vehicles, missiles and nanoparticles for biomedical use.”
As the tech industry needs more silver, you will see prices continue to rise.
The Federal Reserve has focused heavily on cutting interest rates in recent years, and inflation is still a problem in the US. There are also other federal monetary policies—such as the decision to stop penny minting—that have had global economic effects.
“Confidence in the US dollar (Federal Reserve Note) is eroding globally,” says Glosson.
Many nations believe that moving away from Treasury bills, bonds and notes to focus on precious metals is best for their monetary reserves.
As the price of silver rises, you may be wondering what it’s all about for you. Good news?
“Silver is up 145 percent year-to-date, and silver is at an all-time high, which means anyone who owns silver is in the money,” says Jose Gomez, cofounder of Summit Metals, a national precious metals retailer. “No one is losing money with these prices.”
Experts also expect prices to rise well into 2026, so it’s likely to stay for a while. If you’re looking to cash in there’s no immediate sense, this can still be a good opportunity to make some extra money.
“Many silver analysts believe that silver could reach $100 per troy ounce in 2026, so maybe holding a little longer isn’t a terrible idea,” adds Glosson. “But if you’re holding silver for a while and want to share in the current gains, sell some and keep most.”
You will find success with two precious metal items sold in 2025: silver coins and bars. But silver jewelry can also make money!
Vstock LLC/Getty
If you’re looking to sell silver jewelry, it’s wise to do your research and make sure you’re getting the best price. The first step is to weigh your pieces using a small digital kitchen scale or jewelry scale that can measure in grams.
“Remember, precious metals are weighed in troy ounces, not standard ounces,” cautions Glasson. This means you have to divide the gram weight by 31.1 to get troy ounces.
Next, check the authenticity of the piece by looking for “925” stamped on it. This means it is sterling silver, which is 92.5 percent pure silver.
Once you have that information, you need to find the average silver spot price for that day. Then compare your piece to similar pieces online to see how much more spot price those other items are selling for. As expected, name-brand pieces will be worth a higher premium.
You can then contact a jewelry store or precious metal buyer to see if they would be interested in purchasing your piece(s).
For other silver items of value, such as coins or bars, seeking professional advice is usually the best course of action.
“To make the most money you should go to a bullion dealer (online), then a physical local coin shop, then a jewelry store and finally a pawn shop,” says Gomez. “Bullion dealers pay the most because they provide liquidity to the market.”
One marketplace to avoid: eBay. While this is an easy way to earn money, the platform does not insure gold and silver packages. If something goes wrong in the sales process it can leave you with a headache.
Whether you decide to jump on the high silver price now or wait until 2026, you can definitely make some serious cash!
I’m Suze Orman and this should be my $300,000 retirement (hint: planning for healthcare is not optional!).
Beware of accidental payment scams that target bank accounts—experts reveal how to avoid them
9 Genius Home Staging Tricks That Can Add Thousands to Your Home’s Sale Price
