How to Sell Gold Jewellery: Get the Best Price

Selling gold jewellery is straightforward once you understand how dealers calculate their offers and where the best buyers are. The single most important thing you can do before approaching any buyer is to know your gold’s melt value — this is your baseline and your negotiating power.

Step 1: Know What Your Gold Is Worth

Before contacting any dealer, calculate the melt value of your gold using our scrap gold calculator. You need three things:

1. The karat of your gold (check for a hallmark stamp: 9K/375, 14K/585, 18K/750, etc.)
2. The weight in grams (use a digital scale accurate to 0.01g)
3. The current spot price per gram (our calculator fetches this live)

Armed with this number, you can evaluate any offer you receive as a percentage of melt value.

Where to Sell Gold Jewellery

Online Gold Buyers / Postal Refiners

Online gold buying services (such as Hatton Garden Metals, Gold Buyers UK, or similar platforms in your country) typically offer 85–95% of melt value — the best rates available for most sellers. You post your gold to them (insured), they test and weigh it, then make an offer. You can accept or have your items returned.

Coin and Bullion Dealers

Established bullion dealers will buy gold jewellery, especially higher-karat items. They tend to offer 80–90% of melt value and are reputable, regulated businesses. Good for larger quantities.

Jewellers (Second-Hand)

High street jewellers typically offer 60–75% of melt value. They have higher overheads and may resell the piece rather than scrap it. Convenient but lower returns. Some jewellers will offer more for designer or branded pieces that retain maker value.

Pawnbrokers

Pawnbrokers are fast and convenient but typically offer 50–65% of melt value. Only use if you need cash immediately and cannot wait for a postal buyer.

Private Sale (eBay / Vinted)

For jewellery with aesthetic or brand value, selling privately on eBay or similar platforms can achieve significantly more than melt value. However, this requires more effort, good photographs, and accurate descriptions.

Typical Offers by Buyer Type

Buyer Type	Typical % of Melt Value	Speed	Best For
Online Refiner	85–95%	3–7 days	Scrap gold, best value
Bullion Dealer	80–90%	Same day	Larger quantities
Jeweller	60–75%	Same day	Convenience
Pawnbroker	50–65%	Immediate	Emergency cash only
Private Sale	100%+ of melt	Variable	Jewellery with design value

Tips to Get the Best Price

• Get at least 3 quotes before selling — offers vary significantly between buyers
• Sell when gold prices are high — the melt value moves with the spot price, so timing matters
• Separate your items by karat — mixing karats gives dealers an excuse to pay the lower rate for everything
• Remove non-gold components where possible (leather straps, base metal clasps) — these weigh nothing and add nothing
• Don’t clean your gold before selling — dealers test purity regardless and cleaning won’t improve the offer
• Know your baseline — use our calculator so no offer can catch you off guard