If you've never had your gold valued before, it can feel a little mysterious. What exactly do buyers look for? How do they test whether something is real gold? And how do they arrive at a price?

This guide walks you through the whole process — so you know exactly what to expect when a Redditch Gold buyer visits your home.

Why Getting a Valuation Matters

Before you sell anything, it's worth understanding what you have. Gold jewellery, coins, and silverware can vary enormously in value depending on their purity, weight, and condition.

A proper valuation — using professional testing equipment — gives you an accurate picture of what your items are worth at current market prices. It's the only way to know whether an offer is fair.

What We Bring to Your Home

Our buyers arrive with everything needed to carry out a thorough, professional assessment:

• Electronic gold testing equipment — to verify the purity (carat) of gold items quickly and accurately
• Precision scales — to weigh items to the nearest tenth of a gram
• Acid testing kits — as a secondary verification method where needed
• Loupe and magnification tools — for examining hallmarks, gemstones, and condition
• A laptop or device — to check live gold and silver spot prices

You don't need to provide anything. We bring the full kit.

How We Test Gold

Checking Hallmarks

The first thing we look for is a hallmark — a small stamped mark that indicates the purity of the metal. In the UK, gold jewellery is typically hallmarked with a number:

• 375 — 9 carat (37.5% pure gold)
• 585 — 14 carat (58.5% pure gold)
• 750 — 18 carat (75% pure gold)
• 916 — 22 carat (91.6% pure gold)
• 999 — 24 carat (99.9% pure gold)

Hallmarks are usually found on the inside of rings, on clasps, or on the back of pendants. They can be very small, which is why we use a loupe to read them clearly.

Electronic Testing

For items without a clear hallmark — or to verify what the hallmark says — we use an electronic gold tester. This device measures the electrical conductivity of the metal, which varies depending on its gold content. It's fast, non-destructive, and accurate.

Acid Testing

In some cases, we may use acid testing as a secondary check. A small scratch is made on a testing stone, and a drop of acid is applied. The reaction (or lack of one) confirms the purity of the metal. This is a well-established method used by gold dealers worldwide.

How We Weigh Your Items

Once we've confirmed the purity of each item, we weigh it on our precision scales. Gold is priced by the gram (or troy ounce for larger quantities), so accurate weighing is essential.

We weigh items individually and record the weight and purity of each piece. You can watch this process throughout — we want you to see exactly what we're doing.

How We Calculate the Price

The price we offer is based on three things:

1. The current spot price of gold — the live market price per gram or troy ounce, which changes throughout the trading day
2. The purity of your gold — a higher carat means a higher percentage of pure gold, and therefore a higher value per gram
3. The weight of your items — more gold means more value

We check the live spot price on the day of your visit. Our offer reflects current market conditions, not a fixed rate that might be weeks or months out of date.

A Simple Example

Suppose you have a 9ct gold ring weighing 5 grams. At the time of writing, the spot price for pure gold is around £75 per gram. A 9ct ring is 37.5% pure gold, so:

5g × 37.5% × £75 = approximately £140

We'll explain our calculation clearly so you understand exactly where the figure comes from.

What About Silver and Platinum?

We value silver and platinum using the same approach — testing for purity, weighing accurately, and applying the current spot price. Silver is typically valued per gram or per troy ounce, and platinum commands a premium due to its rarity.

For coins, we consider both the metal content and any numismatic (collector) value. Some coins are worth significantly more than their melt value, and we'll always tell you if that's the case.

What Happens After the Valuation?

Once we've assessed everything, we'll give you a clear offer for each item — or for the whole lot if you prefer. You're under no obligation to accept.

If you'd like time to think, that's absolutely fine. If you want to compare our offer with another dealer, we'd encourage that — we're confident our prices are competitive.

If you're happy to proceed, we pay you immediately — cash in hand or bank transfer, your choice.

Common Questions

Do I need to clean my jewellery first?

No. We assess items as they are. Cleaning isn't necessary and won't affect the price we offer.

What if I don't know what carat my gold is?

That's exactly what we're here to find out. Don't worry if you have no idea — we'll test everything and tell you clearly what you have.

Can I sell just some of my items?

Absolutely. You're in complete control. Sell everything, sell a few pieces, or decide not to sell at all — there's no pressure either way.

What if my jewellery has gemstones?

We buy gold and silver settings with gemstones. The value we offer is based on the precious metal content; gemstones are generally not included in the price unless they are diamonds of significant value, in which case we'll assess them separately.

Ready to Book?

A home valuation is the easiest way to find out what your gold is worth — with no travel, no queues, and no obligation. Call us on 07716 472626 or book online to arrange a free visit at a time that suits you.

We cover Redditch and the surrounding Worcestershire area, and we're always happy to answer questions before you book.

Book your free home visit