Guide
How to Sell Scrap Gold in the UK: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Selling old gold doesn't have to feel like a gamble. Follow these steps and you'll know a fair offer the moment you hear one.
1. Sort by hallmark
Group items by carat — 9ct, 14ct, 18ct, 22ct. Check for the fineness mark (375, 585, 750, 916). Unmarked items may still be gold but will be valued cautiously.
2. Weigh accurately
Use scales accurate to 0.01 g. Remove stones and non-gold fittings where possible, or note them so they aren't weighed as gold.
3. Value each group
Enter each carat group as a separate row in the multi-item calculator. You'll see the combined melt value and the realistic payout side by side.
4. Choose your buyer
Pawnbrokers and high-street shops are quick but pay least. Online mail-in refiners typically pay the most; check reviews and their published per-gram rates. For big lots, a specialist bullion dealer is worth a call.
5. Get it in writing and check tax
Insist on an itemised written quote. Then run the CGT quick-check — Sovereigns and Britannias are exempt; other gold may be chargeable above the allowance. It's an estimate, not tax advice.
6. Consider timing
If you can wait, watch the gold price history and set a price alert. A rising market can add meaningfully to your payout.
All figures are estimates of melt value, never offers. Not financial or tax advice.