Tips for Selling Jewelry from a House Cleanout

Sorting and Selling Unwanted Jewelry After a House Cleanout

Cleaning out a house after a family member passes away or after an estate downsizing can be overwhelming. Among the furniture, papers, and keepsakes, you may come across mixed boxes of jewelry: some broken, some outdated, and some that might contain valuable gold or silver. The challenge is knowing how to identify what has value, how to separate costume from precious metals, and how to prepare everything for safe sale or mailing.

Step 1: Identify Precious Metals

The first step is learning how to tell whether an item is made of gold or silver, plated, or non-precious.

• Look for stamps and hallmarks: Gold pieces often carry marks such as 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, or 24K. Silver may have 925, sterling, or other hallmarks. Older silverware may be stamped with words like sterling while plated flatware might say EPNS or silverplate.

• Use a magnet: Precious metals are not magnetic. If a chain or ring jumps to a magnet, it is likely plated or base metal. However, not all non-magnetic items are precious, so this is only a quick screening method.

• Visual inspection: Real gold does not flake easily and tends to wear evenly. Plating may reveal a different-colored base metal underneath.

• Testing options: Acid tests, electronic testers, or even professional appraisals can confirm purity. Simple acid test kits are available, but handle carefully and use proper instructions.

Step 2: Understand Dental Gold and Other Odd Finds

• Dental gold is often 16K–18K, though it can range from 10K–22K depending on when it was made. Dental crowns, inlays, or bridges often contain a mix of porcelain, ceramic, or stainless steel parts alongside gold.

• When storing dental gold, place it in a small sealed plastic bag. Do not try to break off porcelain or metal at home; gold buyers are used to separating it safely.

Step 3: Weigh and Compare Value

After identifying likely precious items, weigh them on a small kitchen or jewelry scale that measures in grams. Buyers typically quote based on grams of actual gold or silver content.

• Melt value vs resale value: The melt value is based on current market prices. However, most buyers offer a percentage of that value to cover refining costs. Items with collectible or antique value may sell for more than melt value.

• Non-precious parts: Stones, glass, enamel, or steel do not add value unless they are genuine gems, so expect payment only on gold or silver weight.

Step 4: Sorting and Safe Preparation

• Remove obvious non-metal parts when safe (such as leather straps or plastic beads). Leave glued stones, settings, or porcelain intact.

• Group similar items: broken chains together, silver flatware together, coins in a small container. Keep small pieces in sealed bags to avoid loss.

• Clearly label bags or containers with weight and metal type if known.

Step 5: Record-Keeping and Photos

Good records help avoid confusion during a large cleanout. Take clear photos of each group of items before mailing or selling. Note weight, markings, and your best guess about metal content. For organization, some people use a digital tool like GavelBase to track descriptions and photos in one place.

Step 6: Mailing and Shipping Options

If you choose to mail your items rather than sell locally, safety and tracking are essential.

• Use a secure mailer kit if provided. Otherwise, double-bag items, cushion them, and place in a strong box.

• Ship using tracked and insured methods. Many buyers provide prepaid, insured mailers for convenience. If shipping on your own, check USPS insurance options such as Registered Mail and additional coverage.

• Always keep a copy of tracking numbers and document contents with photos.

Step 7: Testing and Appraisal Expectations

Reputable buyers usually examine items with multiple methods:

• Visual inspection for hallmarks and obvious signs of plating.

• Magnet test to exclude steel or iron.

• Acid or electronic test for purity verification.

• Precise weighing on jeweler’s scales.

Results are typically shared in writing or online, so you understand how the payout was calculated.

Step 8: Payment Options

Common payment methods include:

Step 9: Safety and Documentation Checklist

• Photograph each batch of items.

• Write down weights and markings.

• Note when and how items were mailed.

• Save all receipts until payment is complete.

FAQs

• How do I tell if gold is real? Check for karat stamps, test with acid or an electronic tester, and remember that real gold is not magnetic.

• Are old coins worth more than melt value? Some coins have numismatic value beyond their silver or gold content. Consult resources like the U.S. Mint’s coin composition charts before selling.

• What about sterling flatware sets? Sterling (92.5% silver, marked 925 or sterling) has steady melt value. Plated flatware has negligible resale value for metal.

• Is it safe to mail gold? Yes, if you use insured and trackable services and pack carefully.

Sorting through jewelry after a house cleanout can feel daunting, but breaking the process into steps—identifying, weighing, recording, securely mailing, and understanding how you’ll be paid—makes it manageable. Careful documentation and awareness of metal types help you recover fair value while handling items responsibly.