Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get paid for my precious metal?

Once you bring us your pieces, we will weigh, test and evaluate them on the spot, and give you a fair market price.  If you are satisfied with our purchase price, then we will give you cash on the spot.

How do you determine the purchase price for my piece? 

We set our prices based on the weight and content of the precious metal, and the price of the metal on today’s market.

What if I’m not happy with the price you offer?

If you are not satisfied with our purchase offer, you are under no obligation to accept.  However we pride ourselves on offering the best prices on the market today for your unwanted gold, silver and platinum pieces.  We guarantee client satisfaction in all our dealings.

What do the markings on my jewellery mean?

Most precious metal pieces are hallmarked, to indicate their purity.  Different metals have different hallmark systems: gold uses karats, with 24K being pure gold, and 9-22K representing blends with other metals.  Silver is usually marked ‘sterling’, meaning it is 90% pure, while platinum is marked in parts per thousand, such as 950Pt or Plat 900.  In some countries, symbols are used to represent the purity hallmark.  Other markings may be the manufacturer’s stamp.  See our “How it Works’ page for more detailed information on precious metal hallmarks.

Can you give me a price over the phone if my jewellery is marked ‘sterling silver’ or 22-karat gold?

We can provide you with an estimate, if you know the exact weight of your pieces, but we would still need to evaluate the piece on site to determine whether the hallmark is genuine.  Unfortunately, false hallmarks are common, as there is no oversight of jewellery manufacturers.  Sometimes the piece might be gold-plated, or of lesser quality than is stamped, or simply not a precious metal at all.  Our tests will confirm the identity of the precious metal and its purity, and our purchase price will be based on that.

How do you test the purity of the precious metals?

We have a number of tests or assays that we conduct, depending on the type and size of the piece: acid/scratch test, X-ray fluorescence, and fire assay.  You can conduct a simple preliminary test at home using a magnet – if your pieces are attracted to the magnet, then they are not precious metals.

What if my jewellery has precious or semi-precious stones in it?

We buy only precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium.  If you wish to sell the metal portions of your jewellery pieces, we will gladly remove any precious or semi-precious stones and return them to you.

Why did my jewellery cost more than you are offering?

We only purchase precious metals based on content and weight: the ‘melt’ value, or what the metal is worth when it is melted down.  We do not pay for the jewellery as jewellery – so craftsmanship, precious stones and age are not reflected in our purchase price.  Some jewellery pieces might be better sold whole– such as if the piece is of excellent quality, a collectible, vintage or antique.

It may be helpful to have your finer jewellery pieces appraised for resale, but be sure to get the purchase appraisal, not the insurance appraisal – insurance appraisals give you the replacement retail cost, which is much more than a jeweller would offer to buy your piece back.  You may also want to list your finer items with an online auction house such as EBay, or consult an antique dealer or collection house.

Why do I see some gold buyers list their prices in pennyweights instead of grams?

Pennyweight is just another unit of measure that is sometimes used to confuse clients as to the prices being offered.  One pennyweight, or DWT, is equal to 1.55 grams.  Therefore, though the price per pennyweight listed will be higher than the price per gram, they are not equivalent.

Is white gold more valuable than regular gold?

Gold less than 24 karats is mixed with other metals to make it stronger.  These other metals, or alloys, also give it different colour tones: copper gives the gold a rosy hue, while silver or palladium gives it a ‘whiter’ colour.  If the gold is mixed with another precious metal then it is indeed more valuable than the same amount of gold mixed with a base metal, but it depends on the exact quantities of each.