Straight answers, before you decide anything

Understanding gold

01What does karat actually mean?

Karat describes how much of an alloy is gold, expressed in twenty-fourths. 24 karat is pure gold. 22K is 22 parts in 24, usually marked 916 parts per thousand; 18K is 750; 14K is 585; 9K is 375. The remainder is other metals, which may include copper, silver, or zinc. The gold content is the main basis of a gold-buying offer.

02Why is my gold weighed in troy ounces?

Precious metals use troy weight, not the everyday avoirdupois ounce. One troy ounce is 31.1035 grams, against 28.3495 grams for a standard ounce — a difference of about ten per cent. It is the single most common reason two people quoting the same weight appear to disagree with each other.

03What is a hallmark, and what if my piece doesn't have one?

A hallmark is a set of marks struck into a piece recording its fineness, and often who submitted it and where it was tested. It is usually found inside a ring band, on a clasp, or on the reverse of a pendant. Plenty of genuine gold carries no hallmark at all — it may be worn away, the piece may predate marking requirements, or it may have been made where marking is not customary. An unmarked piece is not a problem; it simply means fineness is established by examination rather than read off the metal.

04Why might my piece be worth less than its total weight suggests?

An item’s total weight may include stones, steel springs, and other non-gold components. Clasps and solder may also contain gold, sometimes at a different purity. We assess the materials and explain any weight deductions used in calculating your offer.

05Should I clean or repair anything before bringing it in?

No. Cleaning risks damaging stones, softening old settings or removing patina that matters on antique pieces, and a repair almost never returns more than it costs. Bring items exactly as they are, including broken ones — a snapped chain and a single earring are perfectly normal things to have assessed.

06What should I bring when selling to PureWeight?

Bring your items as they are and a valid government-issued photo ID, which is required for every sale. If you have receipts, appraisals, certificates, grading paperwork, original packaging, or other documentation, bring it with you. Those materials can help us understand provenance, authenticity, or potential collectible value. If you do not have paperwork, bring the item itself and your photo ID.

07Can I get an estimate over the phone or from a photograph?

We can discuss an item and may be able to give you a general ballpark based on the information you provide, but that is not a purchase offer. Final purchase offers are made only after the item has been examined, weighed, and tested as needed in person.