Frequently asked questions
How much do you pay for gold?
Every offer comes from three numbers you can check yourself: the live spot price of gold that day, the purity of your piece, and its weight. We read the purity with our XRF analyzer and weigh everything on a calibrated scale right in front of you, then multiply weight by purity by spot to get the melt value. Your offer is a percentage of that melt value, and we tell you what the percentage is before you agree to anything. If a piece is worth more as jewelry than as scrap, like a signed designer piece or a style that resells well, we say so and pay for it. You see the same numbers we see, and there is never any pressure to sell. If the offer does not work for you, take your gold home.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. If you have a large amount or need a lot of cash, call ahead so we can have it ready.
What do I need to bring?
Your items and a valid photo ID. South Carolina requires ID for precious-metal purchases.
Do you buy broken or scrap gold?
Yes, and most of the gold we buy is exactly that. Broken chains, single earrings, bent or cracked rings, class rings, dental gold, charms that lost their bracelet, and tangled bits from the bottom of a jewelry box all count. Scrap gold is paid on its gold content, so condition does not lower the number: a broken 14k chain is still 58.3 percent gold. You do not need to sort it or know the karat. Bring it in as it is and we will test each piece with the XRF, weigh it, and group it by karat with you watching. Plenty of people are surprised by what a small bag of broken jewelry adds up to.
How is my gold tested?
We use an XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analyzer, the same kind of machine refiners use. It reads the actual metal composition of your piece in a few seconds without scratching, filing, or putting acid on it, so nothing gets damaged. That matters because stamps are not always right. A piece stamped 14k can test lower, and an unmarked piece can turn out to be solid gold. The reading shows up on the screen while you watch, and it is the number we use for your offer. Gold-plated and gold-filled pieces show up clearly too, so you know exactly what you have before we talk price.
How fast do I get paid?
On the spot. We pay cash the same visit; for purchases over $1,000 we may pay part by check.