How to Get the Most Cash for Broken or Unwanted Gold Jewellery

Almost every household has a small collection of gold that's no longer worn - broken chains, single earrings from a lost pair, outdated designs, or pieces inherited from family. None of this needs to be "perfect" to have real value.

1. Don't try to repair it first

It's tempting to think a broken clasp or snapped chain needs fixing before it's worth anything. In reality, we price scrap and broken gold on its pure metal content, so repair costs would simply come out of your pocket for no pricing benefit. Bring it as-is.

2. Separate items by apparent carat if you can

If some pieces are hallmarked and others aren't, a rough sort by hallmark (9ct, 18ct, etc.) before your visit can speed up your valuation, though our team will confirm and test everything regardless.

3. Remove non-gold parts where practical (but don't force it)

Items with large gemstones, plastic, or fabric components (such as a locket with a photo insert) are priced on gold weight, so removing bulky non-gold elements can occasionally be worth doing - but never force apart a soldered or delicate piece, as this can cause damage without changing the outcome much.

4. Check the live gold price beforehand

Gold prices move daily. Checking our homepage for the current indicative rate before you visit gives you a sense of the market on any given day, so you know roughly what to expect before your item is weighed and tested.

5. Ask questions during your valuation

A trustworthy buyer will happily explain how a price was calculated - the weight measured, the purity tested, and the rate applied that day. If a seller won't explain their number, that's worth being cautious about.

6. There's no obligation to accept

Getting a valuation doesn't commit you to selling. It's entirely reasonable to get a price, think it over, or compare elsewhere before deciding - a genuine offer will still usually be available if you come back on the same day.