How to Sell Old Silver Pooja Items in Bangalore for a Fair Price
Many homes have a shelf of old silver in the pooja room: lamps that are no longer used, a kalash from a wedding, plates and bowls that came as gifts, small idols handed down from grandparents. Over time, some of these pieces become tarnished, broken or simply surplus. If you want to sell old silver pooja items, this guide explains how they are valued, how to check the purity at home and how to make sure you get a fair price.
Which Silver Pooja Items Can You Sell?
Most silver pooja articles can be sold, whether they are in use, tarnished or damaged. Common items include:
- Deepams, diyas and kuthu vilakku lamps
- Kalash, kumbham and chombu
- Pooja plates (thali) and aarti plates
- Kumkum and haldi bowls
- Bells, spoons, tumblers and panchapatra sets
- Small idols and frames
- Coins received as gifts
How Old Silver Items Are Valued
Unlike silk sarees, silver articles are valued almost entirely on their metal. The basic calculation is:
Value = Net silver weight x Purity x Today's silver rate
Each part of that formula matters:
- Net silver weight: only the silver counts. Hollow items such as some lamps and idols are often filled with wax, lac or cement to give them strength, and some items have brass or copper parts or stones. These are deducted.
- Purity: household silver ranges widely in purity. Older items made by local silversmiths can vary from piece to piece.
- Silver rate: the market rate changes every day, so the value of the same item changes too.
Understanding Silver Purity and Hallmarks
Silver purity is expressed in parts per thousand. For example, 925 means 92.5% silver. Since 1 September 2025, India has a voluntary hallmarking system for silver jewellery and articles, with purity grades of 800, 835, 925, 958, 970, 990 and 999. Each hallmark carries the BIS mark, the purity grade and a unique HUID code, which can be checked using the BIS Care app, as reported by The Week.
Most old pooja items were made before this system, so they will not carry a BIS hallmark. That does not mean they are low quality. It simply means their purity needs to be tested.
| Purity grade | Silver content |
|---|---|
| 999 | 99.9% |
| 990 | 99.0% |
| 970 | 97.0% |
| 958 | 95.8% |
| 925 | 92.5% |
| 835 | 83.5% |
| 800 | 80.0% |
Simple Checks You Can Do at Home
- Look for stamps. Check the base for a number such as 925 or 999, or a BIS hallmark.
- Try a magnet. Silver is not magnetic. If a magnet sticks strongly, the item is probably plated steel or iron.
- Check the tarnish. Silver tarnishes to a grey or black tone. Green patches suggest copper or brass under a plating.
- Look at worn edges. If a yellow or reddish metal shows through at the rim or base, the item may be silver plated.
These checks give you a rough idea. For an accurate value, the purity should be tested by an experienced buyer.
Tips to Get a Fair Price
- Do not polish hard before selling. Heavy polishing removes silver. Tarnish does not reduce the value.
- Insist on weighing in front of you. Ask for the gross weight and the deductions for filling or non silver parts.
- Ask how purity is tested. A good buyer explains the purity they are using and why.
- Know the day's silver rate. Check the market rate on the day so you can follow the calculation.
- Get paid on the spot. Cash or UPI, immediately, with no promises of "payment after melting".
Sell Old Silver and Silk Sarees Together
If you are clearing out the pooja room or old trunks, you may have old silk sarees to sell as well. Since pure zari also contains silver, the same transparent approach applies. Read our guides on old silk saree zari price per gram and what to check before choosing zari saree buyers.
Nakshatra Kanchipuram Society has served Bangalore families since 1985, with free doorstep evaluation, weighing in front of you and instant cash or UPI payment. Call or WhatsApp +91 97408 36690, or use our free evaluation form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the price of old silver pooja items calculated?
The net silver weight is multiplied by the purity and the day's silver rate. Wax filling, brass parts and stones are deducted from the weight.
Does tarnish reduce the value of silver?
No. Tarnish is only on the surface. Avoid heavy polishing, because that removes silver.
My silver items have no hallmark. Can I still sell them?
Yes. Most old pooja items were made before silver hallmarking was introduced. Their purity can be tested during the evaluation.
Can I sell broken silver items?
Yes. Broken or bent items are valued on their silver content, just like intact ones.
Sell Your Old Silver Pooja Items the Transparent Way
Free evaluation at your home, weighing in front of you, and instant cash or UPI payment.