Helpful Questions to Ask Before Selling Jewelry

Getting Clarity Before You Sell Unwanted Jewelry

Many people have broken chains, single earrings, outdated rings, or even dental gold that they do not know what to do with. Deciding to sell gold, silver, or coins can feel confusing—yet asking the right questions can help you feel confident, clear, and secure. Below is a structured guide that outlines common questions you should consider before mailing in or otherwise selling jewelry and precious metals.

Step 1: Questions About Identifying Your Jewelry

Before you even begin to talk about values or shipping, you want to confirm what you have. A few beginner-friendly questions include:

• Does the item have a karat stamp (10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, 24K)?

• If silver, is it marked 925, sterling, or 800?

• Could the item be plated? Plated items are often marked GP (gold plated), HGE (heavy gold electroplate), or RGP.

• Does a magnet test cling to the jewelry? Real gold and sterling silver are not magnetic; however, this test alone is not absolute.

• Do you see any hallmarks or maker’s marks inside rings, clasps, or on the backs of items?

For coins, you may want to confirm their content against official reference charts such as those provided by the U.S. Mint coin specifications.

Step 2: Questions About Dental Gold

If you have dental gold, ask yourself:

• Which pieces are clearly gold (crowns, bridges) versus porcelain or steel?

• Have I separated non-metal parts when it is safe to do so? (Never force material off if difficult.)

• Am I keeping all small fragments together in a small, sealed bag?

Dental gold is typically 16K to 18K, but it varies. Buyers will need to weigh and test it. When in doubt, keep all dental metal together.

Step 3: Questions About Weighing and Value

You can start developing expectations about value by asking:

• Do I have a small gram scale to weigh the jewelry? (Digital kitchen or postal scales often display grams.)

• Do I understand that melt value is different from potential resale value?

• Am I weighing items separately by karat and type (10K pieces together, silver pieces together)?

• Am I recording each weight for personal notes?

An item’s offer value will depend on purity (karat), total weight, and how much non-precious material it contains (like stones, clasps, or porcelain).

Step 4: Questions About Sorting and Preparing

Prepare your items thoughtfully before mailing them:

• Have I removed obvious non-metal parts (like loose plastic beads or cords) when this is safe to do?

• Am I labeling or bagging groups by karat or type?

• Have I taken clear photos of each lot for my records?

Step 5: Questions About Shipping Kits and Mailing

If you use a mail-in process, some important questions include:

• Does the service provide an insured mailer kit or will I package items myself?

• Have I checked insurance options such as USPS Registered Mail coverage?

• Do I have a way to track the package from shipment until delivery?

• Will I receive updates confirming arrival and processing?

International Gold & Silver, for example, provides a tracked and insured mailing option with clear chain of custody, giving sellers peace of mind.

Step 6: Questions About Testing

Once your items arrive at a buyer, they typically test metals. Good questions to ask include:

• Will the testing include acid tests, electronic tester readings, or XRF scanning?

• Will the results be shared in clear language (e.g., 14K = 58.5% gold)?

• Am I entitled to a report of the testing results before committing to sell?

Step 7: Questions About Payment

Payment can arrive in many forms. Compare your choices:

Step 8: Questions About Safety and Documentation

Before you finalize a sale, ask whether you have:

• Photographed all items before mailing.

• Created a simple checklist of weights and notes.

• Saved tracking numbers and communications.

• Considered simple record-keeping tools like GavelBase for organizing your notes.

Quick FAQ

• How can I tell if gold is real? Check for karat stamps, use a magnet test, and when possible confirm with acid or electronic testing.

• What is dental gold worth? It depends on its karat and weight; most is 16K–18K and priced by melt value.

• What is the difference between sterling and plated silver? Sterling (925) is solid silver, while plated items only have a thin silver layer.

• How quickly can I get paid? Electronic options like Zelle or PayPal are often same-day after processing; mailed checks take longer.

Final Thoughts

By keeping a clear list of questions and answers, you’ll feel more secure and informed when selling unwanted jewelry, silverware, coins, or dental gold. Whether you’re mailing in a kit or bringing items to a buyer, this structured approach helps you understand identification, shipping safety, testing, and payment—so you can make confident decisions.