Why People Sell Jewellery
Many people have old rings, chains, earrings or bracelets that sit unused in drawers or boxes. Over time, these items lose meaning or simply go out of fashion. For others, jewellery might have been inherited, and selling it makes more sense than holding on to pieces that won’t be worn. Whatever the reason, more people are looking for jewellery buyers who will pay fairly.
Sometimes people need quick access to cash. A gold bangle or broken necklace could hold more value than expected. The condition might not matter either. Even damaged or single earrings can still be sold based on their gold weight and purity.
Where to Start When Selling Jewellery
Start with a basic check of what you have. Is it stamped with a carat mark like 9k, 14k or 18k? This shows how much real gold is in it. Pure gold is 24k, but most jewellery is mixed with other metals to make it more durable. The higher the carat, the more gold it contains.
To sell gold jewellery, you’ll need to know its weight and purity. You don’t have to do this yourself. Most buyers will weigh and test the item during the appointment. Still, it helps to know the basics so you can spot a fair offer when it comes your way.
How the Process Works
Once you’ve gathered your items, you might search for sell jewellery near me or ask around for recommendations. A good buyer will examine your jewellery and test it on the spot. They’ll then offer you a price based on current gold rates, weight, and purity.
Some people get nervous about selling without paperwork or a receipt from the original purchase. That’s not usually a problem. Second hand jewellery buyers expect to see pieces without boxes or invoices, especially when they’re old or inherited.
Once a price is agreed, many buyers will pay you on the same day. Payments can be made in cash or via electronic transfer, depending on the amount and what’s been arranged.
What Impacts the Offer You’ll Get
There are a few things that might change the price. If your items have precious stones, the offer might only be for the gold itself. Most buyers don’t include value for small stones, especially if they aren’t certified. Hollow pieces might weigh less than they appear, and mixed-metal items may not be as valuable as solid gold.
You don’t need to clean or fix anything. Most buyers prefer that you leave the jewellery as is. Trying to polish it might damage the finish or make testing harder. Just bring it as you found it, and the process will go smoothly.
Comparing Buyers Makes a Difference
Before agreeing to a deal, it’s smart to get more than one offer. Each buyer works differently. Some offer more competitive rates, while others charge small handling fees. There’s no harm in taking your time to find the right fit.
Searching for we buy jewellery or cash for jewellery can help you find buyers near you who work with everyday sellers. These services often give better value than general pawn shops because they specialise in precious metals.
Safety When Selling
Always choose a buyer with a secure, professional environment. If you’re visiting in person, make sure the location is clearly marked, easy to access, and doesn’t feel risky. Avoid private meetups unless they are well-reviewed and verified.
When looking for sell jewellery for cash options, some sellers also offer courier services. This is helpful if you live far from a major city. Just make sure the process is insured and properly explained before you send anything off.
Why Jewellery Buyers Focus on Gold Value
When people first think about selling jewellery, they often assume that the design, brand, or age of the piece will play the biggest role in determining its value. While this can sometimes be true for rare or collectible items, in most cases jewellery buyers focus primarily on the gold itself. The reason is simple gold is a precious metal with a universally recognised value, and it can be melted down and reused regardless of the style, condition, or fashion trends of the jewellery it comes from.
Unless you happen to own a rare vintage piece, a limited-edition designer item, or jewellery with significant historical importance, resale buyers are usually not interested in the aesthetic qualities. Instead, they calculate what’s known as the “melt value.” This refers to the worth of the pure gold content in the item, based on the current international gold price combined with the rand-dollar exchange rate. Whether your jewellery is new, old-fashioned, scratched, or even broken, the melt value remains the deciding factor in most transactions.
For example, consider a plain gold wedding band versus an elaborate but outdated gold necklace. Even though the necklace may look more impressive, a buyer will still measure both items by weight and purity to work out which one contains more gold. In some cases, the simple band could actually be worth more because it may be heavier or made from higher carat gold, such as 18k or 22k. The design itself doesn’t increase the price unless the piece is collectible or from a famous jewellery house.
This is why buyers carefully examine every piece before making an offer. They look for carat stamps markings like 9k, 14k, 18k, or 22k that indicate purity. They also weigh the jewellery on calibrated scales to determine how much actual gold is present. From there, they do the maths against the live gold price to arrive at a figure. Stones, enamel, or other decorative elements are usually set aside because they don’t contribute to the gold value. In fact, items with large stones or mixed metals sometimes fetch less, since the buyer must separate the gold from the other materials before melting.
It’s important to understand that this approach doesn’t make your jewellery “less valuable” it simply shifts the focus from fashion to substance. A broken chain that you might think is worthless could still contain grams of gold worth thousands of rand. An old-fashioned ring that’s out of style may no longer be desirable to wear, but its gold content still carries strong value on the resale market.
That’s why seasoned gold buyers don’t judge pieces by appearance. They’re not concerned with scratches, dents, or outdated designs. Their priority is the gold content, because once melted, all gold is equal. This also works in favour of sellers, since it means you don’t need to worry about polishing or repairing items before selling them damage has little effect on the payout.
In short, unless your jewellery is a rare collectible or luxury designer piece, expect the offer to be based on weight, purity, and current market rates. By understanding this, you can set realistic expectations, avoid disappointment, and recognise that even simple or broken items can hold significant value. The beauty may fade, but the gold itself always retains its worth.