How Old Is Too Old for Selling Jewelry
Aug 25, 2023
{
"Title": "Does Age Matter When Selling Old Jewelry? A Complete Guide to Value, Testing, and Safe Selling",
"Date": "08/25/23",
"Content": "
Understanding Jewelry Value: Age vs. Metal Content
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Many people wonder if jewelry can become “too old” to sell. The short answer is: no. Age itself has no impact on the melt value of gold, silver, or other precious metals. Whether you have a Victorian-era brooch, a mid-century class ring, or a broken bracelet from the 1990s, what truly matters is the metal content, not the date of manufacture. This guide brings everything together in one place: how to identify, sort, package, mail, and receive payment for old jewelry and other precious metal items.
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Step 1: Identify What You Have
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Your first job is figuring out whether your jewelry, coins, or flatware contain real precious metal or plated base metal. Here are the basics.
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Karat Stamps for Gold
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10K: 41.7% pure gold
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14K: 58.3% pure gold
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18K: 75% pure gold
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22K: 91.7% pure gold
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24K: 99.9% pure gold
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Look for small stamps inside rings, near a clasp on chains, or under earring posts. These are not affected by age; a 14K stamp on a 100-year-old ring means the same purity as one purchased last year.
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Hallmarks and Silver Marks
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925 or “Sterling” = 92.5% silver
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“Coin Silver” often = 90% silver (see the U.S. Mint coin specifications)
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“EPNS” or “plated” = not solid silver
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Simple At-Home Tests
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Magnet Test: Real gold and silver are not magnetic. If a magnet strongly pulls your item, it is likely plated or another metal.
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Scratch/Acid Test: Simple kits can identify karat purity with drops of testing solution. Use caution and follow instructions carefully.
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Electronic Testers: Handheld devices test purity without chemicals.
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Step 2: Special Considerations for Dental Gold
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Dental gold is often 16K–22K, but it can contain porcelain or steel. If you’re preparing dental crowns or bridges for sale:
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Remove loose non-metal parts only if safe; leave difficult porcelain intact.
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Store small pieces in a sealed, labeled bag.
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Do not worry about age—dental gold never “expires.”
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Step 3: Weighing and Understanding Value
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Weight is measured in grams. Use a digital kitchen or jewelry scale. Note:
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Melt Value: The theoretical worth of the pure metal content at current market prices.
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Offer Value: Actual payout, which is lower due to refining costs, non-precious parts, and business overhead.
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Factors That Affect Price: Purity (karat), total grams, mixed metals, stones, or non-precious attachments.
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For official conversion, see the NIST Weights & Measures page.
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Step 4: Sorting and Preparing Items
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Group items by karat or type (10K vs. 14K, sterling vs. coin silver).
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Keep tiny pieces together in labeled envelopes or bags.
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Remove obvious non-metal parts (beads, fabric, large stones), but don’t risk damaging valuable pieces.
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Photograph everything before mailing.
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Step 5: Packing and Mailing Safely
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Most buyers, including services like International Gold & Silver, will provide a free insured mailer kit. If shipping yourself:
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Place items in small, sealed bags or padded pouches.
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Use a sturdy outer box or padded envelope.
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Ship with tracking and insurance. USPS Registered Mail Insurance or priority shipping with declared value are common choices.
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Keep your receipt and tracking number.
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Step 6: What Testing to Expect
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When your items arrive at a refinery or buyer:
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Visual Inspection: Verification of stamps and hallmarks.
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Magnet Check: Quick weed-out of plated pieces.
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Scratch/Acid Testing or XRF: Determines karat purity.
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Weighing: Done in clear view, and results are documented.
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Companies like International Gold & Silver often share transparent testing results online or by email so you know exactly how values were calculated.
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Step 7: Getting Paid
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You can usually choose from several payment options:
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Payment Method | Pros | Cons |
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PayPal | Fast, common, easy to transfer to bank | Small fees for instant transfers |
Venmo | Quick, mobile-based | Transfer limits, linked to phone |
Zelle | Instant to linked bank accounts | Some banks limit Zelle amounts |
Cash App | Quick app-based transfer | Fees for instant cash-out |
ACH Transfer | Direct to bank, no fees | May take 1–2 business days |
Check | Paper record, easy to file | Slower, risk of mail delays |
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Step 8: Safety and Documentation
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Photograph all items before mailing.
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Take notes on weight and description for your own records.
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Use a simple record-keeping tool or spreadsheet. For more detailed inventory, free tools like GavelBase can help record lots and descriptions.
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Keep all shipping receipts until payment clears.
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FAQs: Does Age Matter?
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Is a tarnished silver fork worth less? No. Tarnish does not change silver content.
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Do antique pieces sell for more? Sometimes, if they have collectible or design value. But for melt value alone, age does not matter.
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Is dental gold from decades ago outdated? No. The purity remains constant and can be refined into usable bullion.
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Are coins with dates worth only metal? Some coins have collector (numismatic) value. Check the U.S. Mint resources or collector guides before melting rare coins.
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Quick Checklist
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✔ Identify stamps or hallmarks
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✔ Separate gold, silver, plated pieces
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✔ Weigh in grams
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✔ Group by karat or type
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✔ Photograph and document
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✔ Pack securely with tracking and insurance
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✔ Expect clear testing results
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✔ Choose a payment method that fits your needs
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Final Thought
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No jewelry is “too old” to sell for its precious metal value. While antique or designer pieces might have added collectible worth, the underlying melt value is determined solely by weight and purity.