Best Practices to Store & Ship Silver Scrap Without Oxidation or Loss

Proper silver scrap handling starts long before your material reaches the refinery. Jewelers and pawnbrokers may hold silver scrap for weeks or months while building up enough material to send in. During that time, a few simple steps can help keep it clean, organized, protected, and ready for silver refining services.

From accurate documentation to packaging & shipping, there are a few important steps that can reduce the risk of contamination, misplaced material or even physical loss along the way. Here are five best practices to follow:

1. Keep it Clean, Dry & Contained

Keeping silver away from excess moisture and environmental contaminants can help limit tarnish while it is being stored. According to the Canadian Conservation Institute, silver tarnish forms when the surface reacts with sulfur-containing gases in the environment. Higher humidity can greatly speed up this process. Store your material in a clean, dry area and utilize sealed containers or bags whenever possible. It also helps to keep silver scrap away from direct sunlight – doing this eliminates temperatures spikes which can quickly increase the rate of chemical reactions. While these anti-oxidation storage practices significantly help prevent silver oxidation and unnecessary surface tarnish, keep in mind that normal tarnish does not mean the underlying silver has simply disappeared. There is no need to aggressively clean or chemically treat scrap before sending it to your refiner.

2. Separate & Label Scrap Before Storage

Simply put, organizing your material makes it easier to keep track of what you have. When practical, store different types of silver-bearing material separately, such as sterling jewelry, flatware, filings, silver-plated, etc.
 

Small pieces and filings deserve extra attention. Keep them in fully sealed containers so material isn't accidentally lost during storage or handling.

While this step is important, it doesn't mean that separating your scrap is required for an accurate assay. However, sorting and labeling can help you track inventory and better estimate the value and expected payout. On top of that, it helps your refiner keep track of different items that all have an impact on your final silver purity.

3. Weigh & Document Your Silver Before Shipping

Make sure to weigh your inventory and keep a record of each type of material. This way, you can double check with your refiner that nothing was lost in transit or accidentally left out of your refining lot. You may also want to photograph the material before sealing the package. 

Complete any required packing lists and/or order documentation, and make sure to keep your tracking information until delivery is confirmed. These documentation practices create a clear record of the shipment from your business to the refinery.

4. Package Silver Scrap to Prevent Physical Loss Once your silver leaves your business, physical loss can be a bigger concern than tarnish. Secure scrap packaging helps keep everything where it belongs and prevents unintentionally mixing different types of silver during shipment. Place small pieces and filings in durable, sealed containers or bags. Choose a sturdy outer box that can handle the shipment's weight. Fill any extra space with appropriate packing material so the contents don't shift excessively in transit. Finally, ensure the box is securely closed and labeled clearly for the carrier. Both FedEx and UPS provide packaging guidelines that can help you prepare shipments properly.

5. Choose Secure, Tracked & Insured Shipping

Silver scrap requires an appropriate shipping method to safeguard the valuable contents within. Tracking lets you follow the package in transit, while insured silver shipping can provide additional protections in the case of theft, damage, or significant delays.

It's important not to assume that ordinary carrier coverage applies to every precious metal shipment. Coverage and declared-value rules can vary by carrier and service, especially when you need to ship silver scrap at the maximum insurance value.

Mid-States can help simplify this step. We offer insured shipping through FedEx or UPS, with packages insured (up to $50,000) and tracked from your shop to our refinery. Talk with our team about the best option for your shipment rather than trying to navigate the requirements on your own.

Keep It Simple and Refine with Confidence You don't need a complicated system to protect silver scrap. Keep it dry and contained, stay organized, use sturdy packaging, document what you send and choose a secure shipping method.  When you're ready to ship silver scrap, Mid-States can help you get it to the refinery securely. Learn more about our silver refining services and available shipping options, and don’t hesitate to reach out to our team with any questions on how to get started.