Neither type of buyer is automatically better. The best choice is the offer that gives you the highest transparent net payment for your particular piece, after purity testing, non-gold deductions, fees and any return costs. A specialist gold-buying company may value jewellery chiefly as recoverable metal, while a jeweller may have resale or customer channels. However, there is no reliable current nationwide evidence showing that jewellers generally pay more (or that gold-buying companies do).
Get several written offers based on the same description, purity, weight and terms. If a piece is antique, vintage, made by a known designer or unusually well crafted, investigate its resale or auction value before accepting a melt-value offer.
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Jeweller or gold buyer: the decision in one view
Compare the actual amount you will receive, not the business label or an advertised “up to” figure. Ask every buyer to identify the karat they determined, the weight being valued, the gold-price basis, each deduction, the payment method and what happens if you reject the offer.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →| Question | Jeweller | Gold-buying company | What you should compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary route to value | May consider resale, design, maker and customer demand as well as metal. | May focus mainly on recoverable gold and refining economics. | Whether the quote is for melt value only or includes a separate resale assessment. |
| Purity and weighing | Ask which test was used and what components were excluded. | Ask the same questions; a specialist label does not prove a better test. | Recorded karat, exact weight and an itemised calculation. |
| Potential premium | Possible for desirable design or a piece the shop can resell, but not guaranteed. | Usually depends on metal content and the buyer’s margin. | Net offer for your item, supported in writing. |
| Convenience | Often an in-person discussion and immediate decision. | May offer storefront, appointment or mail-in service. | Travel, processing time, insurance, payment timing and return terms. |
The comparison above describes possible business models, not a promise about any individual firm. A jeweller can make a low metal-only offer, and a gold buyer can recognise a collectible item; only the documented quote tells you which is advantageous.
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How the gold value is calculated
Karat is a purity clue, not a payout promise
The Federal Trade Commission’s consumer guidance, published November 5, 2024, explains that 24K denotes pure gold and that 18K contains 18 parts gold and six parts other metal; 14K contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metal. A buyer should verify a marking rather than treating it as a guaranteed grade.
| Mark | Approximate gold content | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 10K | 41.7% | Figure given in the Contra Costa County Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures consumer guide (Winter 2013). |
| 14K | 58.5% | Figure given in the same California guide (Winter 2013). |
| 18K | 75% | Figure given in the same California guide (Winter 2013). |
| 24K | 100% | Figure given in the same California guide (Winter 2013). |
Those percentages describe the proportion of gold in the alloy. They do not mean a buyer will pay that same proportion of the published spot price. Buyers must cover testing, handling, refining, overhead and profit, so two legitimate offers can differ even when they agree on the karat.
Weight only the part that can be valued as gold
Start with the item’s total scale weight, then ask how the buyer treats gemstones, pearls, watch movements, clasps, solder, springs and other non-gold parts. The California guide recommends subtracting gems and non-gold components when estimating gold content. A quote that silently values a stone’s weight as gold overstates the calculation; a quote that deducts an unexplained amount is impossible to compare.
Ask to see the scale reading for each item and have the reading recorded on your receipt. Keep pieces separate if they have different karat marks or construction. Combining a 9K, 14K and 18K group into one unexplained weight can conceal how the price was derived.
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Require a calculation, not just a total
Request the gold-price reference used on the day, the purity fraction, the net gold weight, the buyer’s rate or percentage, and every fee or deduction. You do not need the buyer to use one particular formula; you do need enough information to place offers on the same basis. The California guide’s old payout examples should not be used as current benchmarks because gold prices change, and no reliable current nationwide payout percentage separated by jeweller and gold-buying company has been established.
How to compare offers step by step
- Inventory each piece. Photograph it, note hallmarks, record any maker’s name, and weigh it at home only as a rough reference. Do not remove stones or alter a piece before a professional appraisal.
- Separate likely value categories. Put ordinary broken or damaged items in one list and pieces with a designer mark, unusual workmanship, age, provenance or complete original components in another.
- Ask how purity will be tested. Request the test method, the karat result and whether the test is performed on each item or on a mixed lot. A stamp is evidence to check, not a valuation.
- Watch the weighing. Ask the buyer to weigh your item in view of you, show the unit and record the reading. Confirm that stones and non-gold parts were treated consistently.
- Obtain a written offer. It should identify the item, purity, weight, price basis, deductions, total net payment, payment method, validity period and your right to decline.
- Repeat with several buyers. Use the same description and disclose the same defects or missing stones. The FTC’s consumer advice recommends comparing sellers and getting important information and policies in writing.
- Compare take-home proceeds. Subtract shipping, insurance, appraisal charges, transaction fees or any other cost you must pay. A higher headline number can produce a lower net payment.
- Decide whether to wait. If the offer is valid only briefly, ask what price or market change would alter it. Do not let a countdown replace an understandable calculation.
Questions to put to every buyer
| Comparison axis | Exact question | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | “What karat did you determine, and how did you test it?” | Markings can be checked against an independent result; the FTC explains that a karat mark indicates the proportion of gold. |
| Weight | “What exact weight are you valuing, and which stones or parts did you exclude?” | Only the agreed gold-bearing weight should feed the metal calculation. |
| Price basis | “Which gold price and calculation did you use, and what deductions apply?” | A transparent basis lets you compare offers made on different days or by different business models. |
| Net proceeds | “What will I receive, by which payment method, and are there any fees?” | Bank transfer, cheque, cash or another method can differ in timing, cost and practical risk. |
| Process and recourse | “Can I observe weighing, receive an itemised receipt and reject the offer without losing the item?” | You need evidence of what was assessed and a clear way to decline. |
| Resale value | “Would you assess this for design, age, maker or resale potential separately from melt value?” | A desirable finished piece may be worth more intact than as scrap. |
When a jeweller’s resale assessment matters
Gold content is not the only possible source of value. A signed piece, a recognised maker, a documented history, an unusual period style, hand craftsmanship or a complete matching set may attract a collector or retail buyer. A jeweller with a suitable customer base might identify that opportunity, but the existence of a jewellery counter does not establish that it will do so.
Ask for two numbers when appropriate: a metal-only offer and a separate resale or consignment assessment. Clarify whether the second figure is an immediate purchase, a consignment estimate, an auction expectation or a retail asking price. These are not interchangeable. A retail price can include display, marketing and waiting time and therefore cannot be compared directly with an immediate cash offer.
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For a potentially valuable antique, vintage or artisan-made item, pause before selling. Gather photographs, hallmarks, receipts and any provenance; seek an independent valuation or specialist auction opinion; and ask about commission, insurance, reserve prices, shipping and the time until payment. The available consumer guide supports investigating value beyond metal but does not establish current terms for any particular auction service.
Purity testing: what to expect and what a home kit can—and cannot—do
Buyers may use a touchstone and acid, electronic testing, X-ray fluorescence or another method. Ask whether the method can detect plating or a different alloy beneath a surface mark and whether the result is documented. You are entitled to understand the result even if you cannot independently reproduce the laboratory process.
An optional home acid-testing kit with a test stone can provide a rough indication, but it does not establish the final offer value, the exact recoverable weight or the marketability of a finished piece. Testing can scratch or damage jewellery if done incorrectly. Treat a home result as a question to raise with buyers, never as a substitute for multiple disclosed offers.
In-person safeguards and local rules
The Contra Costa County “A Consumer’s Guide to Selling Gold” (Winter 2013) describes California-focused inspection and sealing requirements for commercial scales, recommends observing the weighing and checking the receipt, and recounts historical investigations. Those rules and observations are not a nationwide standard and should not be presented as current law everywhere.
Legal requirements for precious-metal dealers, licences, identification, holding periods, cancellation rights and payment methods depend on your country, state or locality. Before visiting, check the consumer-protection or weights-and-measures authority where the transaction occurs. The FTC Jewelry Guides say marketers must truthfully represent characteristics including metallic content, weight and value, but the exact legal application depends on the transaction and jurisdiction.
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- Take your own photographs and list every item before handing it over.
- Keep the receipt, written quote, test result and any identification of the business.
- Do not sign a transfer or consent form until you understand whether the sale is final.
- Leave if the buyer refuses to identify the weight, purity, deductions or payment terms.
Mail-in and remote gold buying
Mail-in services can save a trip, but they add shipping, insurance, timing and custody questions. The California guide’s mail-in warnings date from 2013, so they should be treated as a checklist rather than evidence about every current company.
- Ask who pays for the inbound shipment and whether the parcel is insured for its full replacement value.
- Confirm when the buyer will test and price the items and how long you have to accept or reject the offer.
- Ask for a detailed inventory, purity, weight, deductions and net amount before authorising payment.
- Find out exactly what happens if you decline: return shipping cost, insurance during return, packaging, deadlines and whether an item can be melted before your approval.
- Check the payment method, expected arrival time and procedure if the parcel is lost or the contents differ from the inventory.
Do not send irreplaceable, sentimental or potentially collectible jewellery until the return and insurance terms are clear in writing. For a high-value piece, an in-person independent appraisal may cost less than an irreversible mistake.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common reasons an offer is lower than expected
- Purity differs from the stamp: plating, wear, repairs or an inaccurate mark can lead to a lower tested karat.
- Non-gold weight was included in your estimate: stones, ceramic, steel springs and other components do not contribute the same gold value.
- The buyer is quoting a net rate: refining, handling and business costs may be built into the difference between a market reference and the offer.
- The piece is being treated as scrap: no separate value was assigned to design, maker, age or resale potential.
- Offers use different dates or units: a quote based on one day’s price or pennyweight cannot be compared with another without converting the basis.
- Fees reduce the payment: shipping, testing, appraisal, consignment or payment charges may not appear in an advertised estimate.
Ask the buyer to identify which of these explains the difference. A clear lower offer can still be legitimate; an unexplained one is not a sound basis for surrendering the item.
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Which option fits your situation?
Ordinary, damaged or mixed-karat scrap
Prioritise transparent weighing, testing, deductions and net payment. A specialist gold buyer may be convenient, but obtain at least one jeweller’s quote as a control and compare the written calculations.
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Wearable jewellery with a recognisable design
Ask a jeweller or other qualified resale specialist for a separate intact-item assessment before accepting melt value. Compare the immediate purchase price with any consignment or auction route after allowing for commissions and delay.
Antique, vintage or inherited pieces
Do not rely on a karat mark alone. Preserve provenance and condition, obtain an independent opinion, and ask whether cleaning, resizing or removing stones would reduce collector value.
You need money quickly
Speed may justify accepting a lower, clearly documented offer, but still verify the scale reading, receipt, payment method and right to decline. Taking ten minutes to obtain a second quote can reveal whether a deduction is unusual.
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Choose only after checking insurance, inventory, testing timeline, acceptance window and return costs in writing. If those terms are vague, an in-person transaction is usually easier to audit.
What consumer guidance does—and does not—establish
The FTC’s Jewelry Guides overview states that marketers must truthfully represent the “type, kind, grade, quality, quantity, metallic content, size, weight, cut, color, character, treatment, substance, durability, serviceability, origin, price, value, preparation, production, manufacture, and distribution” of merchandise. This supports demanding accurate descriptions, but it does not set a universal payout percentage or declare one buyer category superior.
Likewise, the California county guide is useful for questions about weighing, receipts and historical mail-in risks, not for predicting today’s gold price or imposing California procedures on another location. Your own local authority’s rules control.
A practical final checklist
- Have I listed and photographed every item?
- Did I separate ordinary scrap from pieces that may have design, maker, age or collectible value?
- Did each buyer state the tested karat and explain the method?
- Did I see the scale reading and confirm the net gold-bearing weight?
- Does the written calculation show the price basis, deductions, fees and final payment?
- Are payment timing and any cancellation or return rights clear?
- For mail-in offers, are shipping, insurance and rejection costs written down?
- Have I compared several offers made on the same assumptions?
The better buyer is the one whose documented net offer best matches the value of your particular jewellery and whose process you can verify. A jeweller’s resale channel can matter for a desirable piece; a gold-buying company may be efficient for straightforward scrap. Neither label replaces testing, an itemised calculation and competing offers.
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