Why Silver Costs More Than You Think: A Peek Behind the Bench

Every now and then, someone sees the price of silver online and wonders why my handcrafted silver pieces cost more than that number. And I totally get it. You might spot a headline like “Silver Hits $37!” and think, “Wait—shouldn’t a silver ring cost less than dinner out?”

Let’s talk about it.

What is the spot price of silver?

The spot price is the trading value of raw, unrefined silver in global markets. It's what large-scale buyers and investors use as a base rate—but it’s not the full picture. As a small-batch artist, I don’t buy raw bullion or truckloads of metal at wholesale.

What I actually pay as a jewelry artist

I source my silver from trusted suppliers like Rio Grande. And when I purchase wire or sheet in small quantities, I’m charged what’s called a fabrication price—which includes the cost of processing the metal into workable form, along with surcharges for small-quantity orders.

This week, while the spot price was around $36.88/oz, I paid $47.90/oz for silver. Yep, you read that right—nearly 30% more. That’s the real cost once it’s milled, shaped, and made available in usable form.

Why this matters

I never price my jewelry based on market charts or wishful thinking—I price it based on what I actually pay, the time and skill required to create each piece, and the commitment I’ve made to using ethical, sustainable materials.

That means:

• I don’t cut corners with cheaper metal.
• I don’t buy from mystery suppliers with unknown origins.
• I absorb the ups and downs of the metals market—so your piece is made with care, not compromise.

And here’s the bigger picture

Each piece of Divella Designs jewelry is handcrafted from start to finish—one of a kind, never duplicated, and created in my Vermont studio with tools I’ve chosen carefully over years of experience. You’re not just buying silver; you’re buying a story, a process, and a connection to something real.

Thank you for seeing the difference, and for supporting small businesses like mine.

— Dianne
Divella Designs | Where Nature Meets Artistry

Want to see what silver becomes in the right hands?
Browse my current silver collection