We Buy Gold in Plymouth: How Selling Your Gold to Us Works
Yes, West Country Goldsmiths buys gold. You can bring unwanted, broken or old gold jewellery to our Plymouth workshop for a free, no-obligation assessment. We test each piece, explain how its value has been worked out and leave the decision with you. If you choose to sell, you are paid by bank transfer.
You also have more than one option. As working goldsmiths, we can buy your gold, reuse it in a new bespoke piece where it is suitable, or offset its value against jewellery you choose from us. This guide explains exactly how each of those works, what we buy, how gold is valued and what happens at your appointment.
If you are still comparing different places to sell gold, our practical guide to where to sell gold in Plymouth covers the wider options and how to avoid a poor offer. This post focuses on how the process works with us.
What Can I Do With My Old Gold?
You can sell it, have it remade into something new, or put its value towards a new piece of jewellery. All three start with the same free assessment, so you do not need to decide before you come in.
Sell it: we assess your gold, explain the offer and, if you accept, pay you by bank transfer.
Have it remade: where your gold is suitable, we can reuse it in a bespoke piece made in our Plymouth workshop, such as a signet ring, bangle, pendant or wedding band.
Offset it: we take the value of your old gold off the price of a piece you choose from us, so you simply pay the difference.
Many people bring in a mixed bag and choose a different option for different pieces: selling a broken chain, for example, while keeping a sentimental ring to remodel.
What Gold Jewellery Do You Buy?
We buy most unwanted gold jewellery, including broken and damaged pieces. Condition matters far less than people expect, because the value of scrap gold comes mainly from the metal itself rather than how the piece looks.
Old, worn or broken rings, including wedding bands
Snapped, tangled or knotted chains
Single earrings and odd pieces whose partner has gone missing
Bracelets, bangles, charms and lockets
Inherited or unwanted jewellery you no longer wear
Dental gold
Mixed lots of gold items
If you are unsure whether something is gold at all, bring it anyway. It is much easier for us to test a piece than for you to guess at home.
How Can I Tell If My Jewellery Is Real Gold?
The quickest clue is a hallmark: a set of small stamps, usually inside a ring, on a clasp or on a tag, that confirms the precious metal content. For certainty, however, the piece needs to be tested by someone who knows what to look for, which is why we test every item at your appointment rather than relying on a stamp alone.
Some older pieces were never hallmarked, and some marks are not what they seem, so a missing or unusual mark does not automatically mean a piece is not gold. Home tests, such as using a magnet, can be misleading and are not a reliable way to judge value.
What do the numbers stamped on gold mean?
The number shows how much pure gold the metal contains, in parts per thousand. For example, 375 means 37.5% pure gold, which is 9ct. The Birmingham Assay Office explains UK hallmarks in more detail.
375 = 9ct gold (37.5% pure gold)
585 = 14ct gold (58.5% pure gold)
750 = 18ct gold (75% pure gold)
916 = 22ct gold (91.6% pure gold)
999 = 24ct gold (99.9% pure gold)
What is the difference between solid gold, gold plated and gold-filled jewellery?
Solid gold is carat gold all the way through, while plated and filled jewellery only has a layer of gold over another metal. That difference has a big effect on value.
Solid gold: carat gold throughout, usually hallmarked with a number such as 375 or 750.
Gold plated: a very thin layer of gold over a base metal, containing very little gold.
Gold-filled or rolled gold: a thicker layer of gold bonded to a base metal.
Vermeil: gold plating over sterling silver.
Are white gold and rose gold worth selling?
Yes. White gold and rose gold are real gold, simply mixed with different metals to change the colour. White gold is alloyed with white metals and usually rhodium plated for brightness, while rose gold gets its warm tone from extra copper. The carat, rather than the colour, tells you how much gold a piece contains.
How Do You Value My Gold?
We value gold mainly on three things: its purity, its weight and the live gold market. Higher-carat and heavier pieces contain more gold, so they are usually worth more, and because gold prices move every day, values change too.
Purity: the carat of the gold, such as 9ct, 18ct or 22ct.
Weight: measured in grams once any non-gold parts are taken into account.
The market: the current price of gold, which changes daily.
We will also tell you if a piece might be worth more than its metal, such as a well-made antique or designer ring. Not everything should be treated as scrap, and we would rather say so than buy it as such.
Why isn’t your offer the same as the gold price on the news?
The headline gold price you see reported is for pure gold traded in bulk, not for a finished piece of jewellery. An offer for jewellery reflects the purity of the piece, the gold that can actually be recovered, testing and the buying process, so it will be below the headline figure. What matters is that the offer is explained clearly, and that is exactly what we do, face to face.
Do stones, clasps and other parts affect the value?
Yes. Stones, steel springs in clasps and other non-gold parts do not count towards the gold weight, so we take them into account when we assess a piece. If a stone may have value of its own, we will tell you, and you can choose to keep it.
What Happens When I Sell Gold to West Country Goldsmiths?
You book a free appointment, bring your gold and photo ID to our Plymouth workshop, and we test and assess each piece in front of you. We explain the offer and how we reached it, and you decide. If you go ahead, you confirm you have the right to sell the items and we pay you by bank transfer.
Book a free Scrap Gold Consultation online, or give us a call.
Bring your gold and valid photo ID to our workshop at Faraday Mill, Cattedown.
We test and assess each piece, explaining what it is and what it contains.
We explain the offer clearly, including anything that may be worth more than its metal.
You decide, with no pressure. You are welcome to take time to think it over.
If you sell, you confirm you have the right to sell the items and we pay you by bank transfer.
Book a free, no-obligation scrap gold consultation at our Plymouth workshop to have your gold tested and assessed.
Why do you ask for photo ID when I sell gold?
We ask for valid photo ID, and for you to confirm that you have the right to sell the items, because it protects you, us and everyone else. It keeps every sale transparent and above board, and it is what you should expect from any reputable gold buyer.
Do I have to accept the offer?
No. The assessment is free and there is no obligation to sell. If you would rather think about it, take your gold home and come back another time.
What Should I Bring to Sell Gold?
Bring the gold you would like assessed and valid photo ID. That is all you need, but a little preparation makes your appointment quicker.
Separate gold from costume jewellery if you can. If you are not sure, bring it all.
Look for hallmarks such as 375 or 750 and keep those pieces together.
Set aside anything with sentimental value: it may be worth remodelling rather than selling.
Bring your photo ID.
We Buy Gold in Plymouth
We offer consultations by appointment. Contact us now to arrange yours.
Should I Sell Inherited or Sentimental Gold?
There is no need to rush. Many inherited pieces are best kept, worn or remodelled into something new, while others are simply sitting unloved in a drawer. We will assess each piece honestly and explain all of your options, so you can decide what feels right.
When you sell gold, or have it melted down for a new piece, you will be asked to confirm that you have the right to do so. This matters particularly with inherited jewellery.
Can you make new jewellery from my old gold?
Yes, where your gold is suitable. Because we have our own workshop in Plymouth, we can often reuse the gold you already own in a new bespoke piece, such as a signet ring, bangle, pendant or wedding band. Specialist stages such as hallmarking are completed off site where required. It starts with a consultation to talk through your ideas, your pieces and your budget.
Couples can even use their own gold, where suitable, on our Make Your Own Wedding Ring Workshop, creating their rings together at the bench.
Book a jewellery consultation to talk about remaking your old gold into a new bespoke piece.
Can I Put My Old Gold Towards New Jewellery?
Yes. We can offset the value of your old gold against a piece you choose from us, so you simply pay the difference. It is a straightforward way to turn jewellery you no longer wear into something you will.
Bring in your unwanted gold.
We test it and explain its value.
Choose a piece from our collection.
We take your gold’s value off the price, and you pay the difference.
A warm, easy-to-wear gift that unwanted gold can help pay for: earrings never need sizing.
A classic everyday stud. A broken chain or odd earring could go a long way towards it.
Shopping for him? An old gold chain he never wears could help pay for something he will, such as a bracelet from our Steel & Barnett range.
Steel & Barnett: a layered, multi-strand leather bracelet that suits every day.
Steel & Barnett: slim braided leather with a gold-plated clasp, a subtle nod to the gold that paid for it.
If you are using your gold to offset a Christmas purchase, remember to check what our bespoke and last order deadlines are for this year.
Should I Repair My Jewellery or Sell It?
If you still love a piece, repairing it is often the better choice, because many common problems can be fixed. Bring it in and we will tell you honestly whether it is worth repairing or whether selling makes more sense.
Snapped chains can often be soldered.
Rings that no longer fit can often be resized.
Lost stones can often be replaced.
Worn claws can be re-tipped to keep stones secure.
If a chain is beyond repair, its gold still has value, so it can go towards a new one.
A classic, fine 9ct yellow gold trace chain: a simple replacement for a chain that has snapped once too often.
A flat-lying 9ct yellow gold curb chain, a sturdy everyday replacement for a worn-out chain.
Our article Is jewellery repair worth it? goes into more detail, and you can see our repair services online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Gold to Us
Does West Country Goldsmiths buy gold?
Yes. We buy unwanted, broken and old gold jewellery at our Plymouth workshop, by appointment. The assessment is free, there is no obligation to sell, and if you sell you are paid by bank transfer.
Do you buy broken gold jewellery?
Yes. Broken, bent, snapped and damaged gold still holds gold value, so broken chains, misshapen rings and single earrings are all welcome.
Is the gold assessment free?
Yes. Our scrap gold assessment is free and comes with no obligation to sell.
Do I need an appointment to sell gold?
Yes, please book an appointment. We work by appointment so we can give you our full attention, test your pieces properly and explain everything clearly. You can book a Scrap Gold Consultation online.
How long does a gold assessment take?
Our Scrap Gold Consultation is booked as a one-hour appointment, which gives plenty of time to test your pieces, explain the offer and answer your questions. Smaller amounts are often quicker.
How will I be paid for my gold?
If you decide to sell, we pay you by bank transfer.
What do I need to bring to sell gold?
Bring the gold you want assessed and valid photo ID. If you sell, you will also be asked to confirm that you have the right to sell the items.
Do you buy gold that isn’t hallmarked?
Yes, if it tests as gold. Some older pieces were never hallmarked, so we test every piece rather than relying on a stamp alone.
Do you buy dental gold?
Yes. Dental gold can be assessed in the same way as other gold items at a Scrap Gold Consultation.
Can I sell jewellery I have inherited?
Yes, as long as you have the right to sell it, which you will be asked to confirm. We will also tell you if a piece might be worth more than its gold, or worth remodelling instead.
What if my jewellery is worth more than its gold?
We will tell you. Well-made antique and designer pieces can be worth more than their metal content, and we would rather explain that than buy them as scrap.
Can I use my old gold towards new jewellery?
Yes. We can offset the value of your old gold against a piece you choose from us, so you only pay the difference.
What happens to gold after it is sold?
Gold can be refined and reused again and again without losing its quality, so old gold can go on to become part of new jewellery.
Where are you based?
Our workshop is at Unit 41, Faraday Mill, Cattedown, Plymouth, PL4 0ST. Visits are by appointment only.
Still comparing your options? Read our guide to where to sell gold in Plymouth, or get in touch with any questions.
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