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Scrap Gold Blog

Lean January Could Be Golden In 2021

Published Tuesday 19th January 2021

Last Christmas was unlike any that came before, but even so, many of us will have tried to include as many of the trimmings and creature comforts to get us through the festive season. As a result of a weak economy and continued restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, January 2021 will be a leaner time than we could have anticipated.

But it doesn’t have to be all belt-tightening and gloom - a bit of scrap gold could go a long way, and provide that much needed injection of cash, to get you through the cold grey month of January.

January could be golden

Prices in the gold scrap market have been exceptionally high in the last 12 months especially, making January 2021 an opportune time to line up a sale of scrap gold with Scrap Gold UK. We’ve been tracking the price of gold on the open market, and it’s been hitting new record highs as recently as late summer last year.

At one point, prices hit £1,500 per troy ounce. Prices have dipped somewhat since then, but remain high by historical norms, and this has fed through into the broader gold scrap markets. As a result, we can offer you as much as £15.64 for just one gram of 9-carat scrap gold. Our overheads are minimal as Scrap Gold UK offers its services online, allowing us to offer you an exceptionally good price for whichever item you may wish to sell.

It pays to keep an eye on where the price of gold is going, so you can time your sale to ensure real value for money. Use our Gold Scrap Price Tracker and the Gold Scrap Calculator to stay up to date on gold prices and then see what your item could be worth, should you wish to sell today.

Safe sales through the post

As the COVID-19 virus continues to infect large numbers of people in the UK at present, lockdown restrictions remain in place across the country. In the interests of health and safety, it is advised for all of us to minimise contact with those outside our households. Understandably, it isn’t ideal to have to leave the safety of your home to stand in queues at the Post Office.

Instead, you can go online and arrange for Royal Mail to collect your package straight from your door. Want to make sure the item gets where it’s supposed to? You can track your parcel here. Ready to make a sale? Fill in this Seller Form here.

Scrap Gold UK has a dedicated team, ready to answer any questions you may have about selling your gold today, so don’t hesitate to get in touch, by calling us today on 01902 828 400

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Christmas 2020 Operating Hours

Published Tuesday 15th December 2020

Our website will remain available throughout the festive period but our offices will close from 3.30pm on Tuesday 22nd December 2020 until 10am on Monday 4th January 2021.

Due to ongoing disruption to the postal service in some areas, your last day for despatching Royal Mail insured Special Delivery parcels for delivery to us before 22nd December should be Thursday 17th December.

Parcels that we do not receive by 22nd December will be processed after our return to work on 4th January and may be held in Royal Mail storage until that date.

We will resume normal service on 4th January 2021.

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The Opportunity For A Pre-Christmas 2020 Cash Boost

Published Monday 14th December 2020

You don’t need to read the headlines to know 2020 has been a tough year - the COVID-19 pandemic has done much to our health and our economy. But it’s not all doom and gloom - having a bit of scrap gold gathering dust around your home could offer you that much-needed cash boost ahead of Christmas 2020.

With prices higher than during any previous festive season on record, your scrap gold could go further than before, so it could be the opportune time for you to make a sale with Scrap Gold UK today.

A pre-Christmas boost from gold

The ongoing restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic mean you’ve probably spent far more time within your four walls than ever before. That may have given plenty of time for you to go through the home, and think long and hard about what you need and what can go.

Scrap gold has become increasingly valuable this year, and Scrap Gold UK has been following gold prices higher and higher in 2020, on news of recession and economic uncertainty. Prices touched £1,500 per troy ounce for the first time this summer. As a result, we’re able to offer customers as much as £15.93 per gram of 9-carat gold.

It’s one of the most competitive prices to find in the gold scrap markets, as Scrap Gold UK’s service is highly digitised, meaning we require lower overheads than most buyers. To see what your item could earn you, check out our Gold Scrap Calculator here - all you need to know is the weight and purity of your item.

Make a sale with Scrap Gold UK today

Higher prices for scrap gold mean something of a pre-Christmas dividend, if you time your sale right. Scrap Gold UK has been helping customers make timely sales for many years, and we do so using a secure, easy-to-use service.

For more information about how to sell with Scrap Gold UK today, check out our How Does It Work guide here. When you’re ready to go, it’s time to fill in the Sell Your Gold form here. With a few short clicks, you can make a sale easily, without even having to set foot outside your front door.

Please note that Scrap Gold UK will pause receipt of scrap gold items over the festive season from 17th December 2020, so make sure to send your item ahead of time, to carry out a speedy transaction. To avoid having to visit a Post Office branch in person, why not try the online Post Office collection service?

For more information about making a sale today, give us a call on 01902 828 400, to get in touch with our team, in case you have any enquiries to make.

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Lockdown 2.0 Is The Perfect Time For A Scrap Gold Clear-out

Published Tuesday 1st December 2020

It’s easy to feel a sense of déjà vu, as England emerges from under its second major lockdown since COVID-19 first reached our shores.

With this in mind, the nights are longer and more of us are spending time at home.

So, if you’re doing that much-needed clear-out and find a bit of scrap gold lying around or have an item you’ve been meaning to sell, now could be the perfect time to consider doing so. Prices are high, and you’ve got all the tools you need to make an easy sale right at your fingertips…

Gold is near all-time highs

The price is right - this summer, we saw gold prices top £1,500 per troy ounce for the first time ever. At Scrap Gold UK, we are able to offer you a market leading price per gram of 9-carat gold. This is an opportune time to consider locking in the gains to be had from selling gold at this high.

Timing a sale is everything, so that’s why we use our Live Gold Price Tracker, to help you identify when the price is high enough for you. To get an accurate reading of what you could expect to make from selling your item, our Gold Scrap Calculator is on hand, giving you an accurate reading. All that’s needed is the weight in grams and the item’s carat or purity.

Whether it’s old coins, cutlery or even old gold tooth fillings, we’re happy to take a look and help value your items, to realise the great gains you have locked away in your home.

Post Office makes delivery easier than ever

It’s never been easier to send scrap gold items by post than in 2020. While restrictions remain in place, Scrap Gold UK is doing everything it can to help in the fight against COVID-19. Visits at our offices in Wolverhampton are by appointment only, and we encourage customers to embrace the idea of dispatching their gold in a way that ensures their safety.

For example, one of the best ways to send your items to Scrap Gold UK is through the Post Office’s Click and Drop service. This allows you to have your parcel collected from home, avoiding having to make the journey to the nearest Post Office and stand in a queue. All it takes is a few clicks of a button, a tamper-proof sack or packet in discreet packaging and you’re set.

For all the necessary information about sending your item, including the address to send to, check out our Selling Gold Online page.

Payment can be made swiftly, in the form of a bank transfer or a cheque, within at most a day following the receipt of your parcel (excluding weekends and bank holidays). By calling us on 01902 828 400, you can be put directly in touch with our Customer Service Team, who will be on hand to help with any enquiries you may have.

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Clear-Cut Prices For Scrap Gold And Silver In 2020

Published Monday 2nd November 2020

When you plan to sell with Scrap Gold UK, you know you’ll get a fair price for your scrap gold or silver. Our word is our bond, and worth its weight in gold. We’ve got the Scrap Gold Calculator to calculate it.

At a time when precious metals prices are elevated, any scrap gold or silver lying around your home could fetch a hefty sum. However, not all buyers offer a fair price for it, for a number of reasons. Scrap Gold UK is as up-front as possible. Here, we explain why.

Easy to calculate a fair price

As prices have risen for precious metals, the number of unscrupulous or even fraudulent gold buyers is on the rise. This phenomenon occurred during the last precious metals bull market in the 2000s, and we know the signs.

Sites purport to offer an easy opportunity to sell scrap gold and silver, but keep customers in the dark about the vital information they actually need - accurate prices and rates, consistent contact information and a way of meeting in person if possible (when restrictions are eased). That’s not right, and Scrap Gold UK believes in doing things in an above-board manner, with as much clarity as possible.

The price of gold changes all the time, subject to market forces. Timing is everything, so you’ll want to avoid selling when the price is low. Scrap Gold UK’s website has a special Live Gold Tracker, letting you see how prices change over the course of a day.

The price of gold has doubled in the last five years, boosting the chances of making a respectable sum from a sale. By using our Scrap Gold Calculator, you could see today’s price of £16.72 per gram with a piece of 9-carat gold. With us, you’ll be in no doubt about precisely what your item could be worth, with just a few short clicks. No second-guessing - just the clear numbers in black and white.

Secure sales in digital form

Scrap Gold UK is able to offer such generous prices for a good reason. We don’t have the same overheads that many buyers have, allowing us to give you a fairer price for your gold or silver. Our sales are handled digitally, making the process streamlined, secure and modern. Your items are safe with us.

The process is as follows - value your gold first. If you’re happy with the price, it’s time to fill in our Sell Your Gold Form. Once printed off, we’ll give you a unique reference number for your items. Place the items in a parcel with the signed form. For security reasons, avoid mention of anything to do with the contents on the outside of the parcel.

If you would like peace of mind, you can even track your parcel in transit. Once your items have been received safely by us, we will value them and make you an offer. Your payment will be made direct to your bank account on the same day. If you’re new to selling gold or silver, don’t worry. Our team is friendly and approachable, ready to help with any enquiry you may have.
 

To get in touch, call us on 01902 828 400, in case you wish to make a sale or have any questions about a potential sale. We look forward to helping you.

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The Great Gold Rush Of 2020 In Full Swing

Published Thursday 1st October 2020

Gold rushes are no longer consigned to the history books. 2020 is a year of repeated record highs for the yellow metal, with gold surging above the major price level of £1,500 for the first time this summer. Supply of gold is tightening as investors increase holdings to protect their money in the event of market turbulence, helping maintain an effective price floor for gold moving forward.

This period of exceptionally high gold prices is triggering people to realise the gains of what little gold that remains in the world, making 2020 an ideal time to consider selling gold. The turbulence caused by COVID-19 and the lockdown that has ensued has triggered a once-in-a-lifetime rally in precious metals, so let’s see how people are making the most of it.

Lucky men strike gold Down Under

Australia played host to one of history’s greatest gold rushes in the 1860s, so it’s no surprise to see the news that two men uncovered sizable nuggets of gold near the town of Tarnagulla in central Victoria, Australia back in August. Victoria is renowned for its vast gold fields which were discovered back in the 1850s, with acres of so-called virgin territory, just waiting for eager miners to find fresh seams of gold.

In scenes broadcast on UK and Australian television, the two men found nuggets with a combined weight of 3.5kg. On paper, such a vast amount of gold could easily earn as much as A$350,000 when the nuggets come to be sold. Despite their mottled appearance, the two nuggets found in Australia last month reflect the lasting value of gold itself. Few precious metals can boast such a high valuation for their relative size.

This just goes to show how gold can come in all shapes and sizes, and still yield a large sum of money. The only question is, who do you turn to, if you have gold and wish to sell, but you want to receive the right price for it? 

Scrap Gold UK is here to help.

UK Scrap Gold - here for the 2020 gold rush

The 2020 gold rush has been breath-taking for us to watch at Scrap Gold UK. A troy ounce of gold used to be worth £700 back in 2015, so seeing the price of gold now hitting £1,500 in 2020 has blown all expectations out of the water.

If you have any scrap gold lying around, you could be sitting on a literal fortune, based on the last five years’ worth of price increases for gold. Scrap Gold UK is the ideal buyer to turn to, in order to facilitate a swift and secure sale of scrap gold in 2020, as we are specialists in this field, having done so for many years.

As of late September 2020, just one gram of 9-carat gold could yield as much as £16.99, if you sold your item with Scrap Gold UK today. Why wait? If you have an item you wish to sell today, don’t hesitate to contact us. Call us on 01902 828 400 or contact us here to make a golden dividend with your scrap gold.

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Gold Prices Climb While The Economy Freefalls

Published Wednesday 9th September 2020

When the Chancellor announced the UK was entering a recession in early August he predicted “tough times ahead” for the UK. While the UK is in the early days of what could prove its most damaging recession ever, gold prices are going through the roof and have been trending close to record prices for the last few months. 

This means that those with the ability to sell scrap gold that’s gathering dust in an old drawer, or on a vanity table, could be missing out on a potential windfall, which could tide you over during these tough times.

Gold prices and economy move in opposite directions

Gold prices have been trending generally upward for a long time. The price of gold has almost doubled over the last decade, and prices have exploded this year, rising by as much as 30 per cent. This is good news for the seller in an otherwise tough economy. 

2020 has been a strange year to put it particularly mildly. Britons have had their freedom of movement limited for the first time since the world wars of the 20th Century, and the ensuing global pandemic triggered recession has left many jobs at risk.

Meanwhile in the first week of August gold prices reached their highest ever mark. Precious metal commentators have long awaited the day that gold would eclipse the $2,000 per troy ounce – or £1,500 in sterling – price point, as prices consistently surged higher and higher. Gold is currently trending in the high $1,900s. Today, 2nd September, gold prices are £1,464.23 per troy ounce, while at the beginning of August they were at a record high of £1,508

Check the current gold price with our Live Gold Prices Chart, here you can see the how the gold price is trending over a timespan of your choice from 10 minutes to 5 years

Could gold prices continue to reach new heights? 

It is quite possible that gold prices will continue to rise. Gold often holds its value or increases in value during times of crisis and poor economic performance, but for investors, there is no guarantee. 

Some analysts are making bold predictions at the present time. Frank Holmes, CEO at investment firm U.S Global Investors thinks, “It’s quite easy to see gold going to $4,000.” Analysts point to prices rising to this level in the next three years, however, factors like the development of a COVID-19 vaccine and the US 2020 Presidential Election could change forecasts quickly.

Sell your scrap gold in 2020

As gold prices are at historic highs, it’s a seller’s market right now. Should you have any unwanted gold items at home you could stand to make a not inconsiderable sum from selling your scrap gold. You might think that you don’t have any valuable gold at home, especially unwanted gold, but did you know that just one gram of 9 Carat gold will currently fetch you £16.53? For instance, at current prices, we could offer £49.59 for a 3 gram necklace.

Discover how much your gold could be worth with our easy to use gold calculator.

How to sell scrap gold

In just three quick steps you can sell your scrap gold to Scrap Gold UK. You’ll receive your sale proceeds on the same day we receive your gold.

  • Value your gold

Use our Scrap Gold Calculator to value your gold items. We accept jewellery, bars, and coins in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

  • Post by special delivery

If you are satisfied with your estimated gold price, complete the Sell Your Gold Form, and package your items and form in a secure jiffy bag. We recommend our clients use a Royal Mail Special Delivery tamper-proof envelope. See our full delivery details for safety precautions and our address.

  • Get your money

We pay out via bank transfer or cheque. You’ll receive your funds on the day we receive your items.

Selling with Scrap Gold UK

To learn more about selling your unwanted scrap gold, contact us. You can call our team on 01902 828 400 today.

We’ll also happily invite you to meet us face-to-face in our Wolverhampton offices to discuss your items. 

Call us on 01902 828 400 to book an appointment.

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Time To Re Group

Published Thursday 30th July 2020

When Covid – 19 hit in March we made the decision to keep working for as long as possible and furloughed non-essential staff where we could. Our staff members have been amazing during this crisis. Despite the imposition of lock-down, social distancing and hygiene requirements they have soldiered on and handled unprecedented demand from our customers. 

We have now arrived at the point where, frankly, our team need to take a break. Rather than rotating individuals onto annual leave and putting more pressure on the remaining staff members as a result, we have decided to close our offices for a full week so that everyone can get some much needed rest and the opportunity to re-connect with family and friends. As lockdown measures are now starting to ease we think that August would be the best time to take this break. 

As a result, our offices will be closed from 3pm Friday 7th August 2020 and will re-open at 9am on Monday 17th August 2020. 

During this period our offices will be unable to accept deliveries and any parcels addressed to us will remain in the postal system until our return to work. 

PLEASE DO NOT SEND PARCELS TO US FOR DELIVERY DURING OUR OFFICE CLOSURE. 

We would encourage all of our customers to make any planned sales during the next week to avoid delays in processing. 

Whilst we appreciate that these arrangements may cause some inconvenience, for which we apologise, the wellbeing of our staff members and our ability to continue to provide outstanding service to our customers in the months ahead are of great importance to us. 

A huge ‘Thank You’ to all of our customers, old and new, for your loyalty, patience and continued support during these unprecedented times and for the many emails and even letters of appreciation that we have received. 

Stay safe and well, it is by no means over yet! 

The Team at Scrap Gold UK

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It’s Time To Start Thinking About Silver

Published Monday 20th July 2020

Gold places first, silver comes second… This is how these precious metals are typically perceived in the market when it comes to both value and demand.

However, silver has recently begun to dominate the headlines due to a significant increase in demand and in July 2020 it reached its highest price in recent years. 

What’s driving the rise in the silver price?

The price of silver has risen 66 per cent since March 2020 when its lowest point was recorded, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Now hitting $19.50 a troy ounce in New York, experts are certain that the market could erupt at any time. So what is the reason for this surge in demand? 

Silver is typically seen as a good investment, particularly during an economic downturn. This is a likely motivating factor behind the historical level of silver purchases made via exchange-traded funds (ETFs) over the past couple of months. 

But industry also has a role to play in the silver price rise. With lockdown measures being relaxed, we are seeing factories start to reopen and production is returning to normal levels – albeit slowly. 

With more production taking place, comes more demand for materials. Out of all of the precious metals, silver is sought after as an industrial metal because it is reflective and is used to create many technology devices. 

Taking these factors into consideration, we would expect the rise in demand for silver to be directly caused by both the increase in factory productivity and the economic downturn.

Look for the silver lining

It is difficult to predict when this increased demand for silver will end and as always we won’t know we’ve reached the peak of the price point until we’re on the way down again. 

With this in mind, there’s no time like the present to look at your portfolio. If in doing so you consider selling some silver, it is important to know which silver items are worth the time and effort of selling. 

Gold jewellery tends to offer a decent cash sum upon sale even in smaller volumes. However, silver is a different matter. While its value might be on the rise, it is still notably lower than that of gold so you really won’t see much of a return unless you’re looking at selling significant quantities of the precious metal.

That does not mean all hope is lost when it comes to getting a good price for your silver portfolio. Owning a collection of silver coins and silver bullion bars poses an opportunity for selling at a competitive price as these items contain more pure metal and are of a substantial weight.

Selling silver with Scrap Gold UK

When it comes to researching for new ways to sell silver, you should not dismiss scrap gold companies. 

Scrap Gold UK was founded in the world famous Birmingham Jewellery Quarter and offers competitive rates for precious metals, including silver and gold. Our online Scrap Silver Calculator offers a free valuation in two quick and easy steps; all you need to provide is the weight in grams and purity of the metal. 

For more information about capitalising on your scrap silver, feel free to call our Customer Service Team on 01902 828 400 - customer satisfaction is our number one priority.

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Working From Home? Search For The Gold Treasure In Your Home

Published Wednesday 1st July 2020

In the current lockdown climate, many of us are working from home. That rainy day you’ve been waiting for to declutter and tidy up? It’s today. And any unwanted items you find containing gold could be worth quite a bit as the gold prices run high amid global turmoil. 

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”   

As we enter the peak of the UK’s summer months, this doesn’t mean it is too late to get into your spare bedrooms and attic to finally begin that well overdue spring clear-out. 

Decluttering is good for us on an individual level as we benefit from the clarity that clearing out provides. But it could also help your financial health if you uncover unwanted gold treasures. 

You may even be sitting on a small fortune without even realising, as what may initially seem to be old junk could actually be more valuable than you think, if sold to the right person. 

The trick is to think outside the box and make sure you examine your unused items thoroughly before throwing them away. There are the more obvious finds, such as old, broken pieces of jewellery and watches, but many older household items such as cutlery and trinket boxes can also contain precious metals. 

You could even capitalise on the trend of fake gold teeth growing more popular again in recent years! Gold dental fillings and fake teeth can also be traded in for extra cash (however, we do not recommend attempting any kind of DIY dental work at home!). 

It is worth getting in touch with one of the Scrap Gold UK experts if you are hesitant and would like some further guidance on identifying valuable scrap gold, before sending it off to landfill, as you never know what you might be missing out on. 

Gold prices in 2020

There’s no denying it; gold is doing well in 2020. In May 2020, Schroders reported that gold has outshone all major asset classes with a year-to-date total return of 11.3 per cent, a backdrop caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Investors see gold as a store of wealth, due to its unique properties and limited supply. Whilst other financial assets are deteriorating in value, there are predictions that the value of gold could increase even more. 

As lockdown measures begin to relax across different parts of the UK, there is no better time to sort through your personal belongings. Without needing to do any additional work, you will benefit not only from decluttering your home but your scrap gold could potentially be worth a greater value than the usual buying price during this economic downturn. 

Selling with Scrap Gold UK

You may now be asking, “well, what do I do with all of these items?” Even if you are not an expert in valuing gold, our specialist team at Scrap Gold UK are here to help. It is important to confirm that the items you are looking to sell do contain real gold, silver or other valuable metals because if they are fake they will not have value.  

Our online Gold Scrap Calculator offers a free valuation in two quick easy steps. All you need to know is the weight of the metal in grams and the carat – or purity – of the metal. 

Scrap Gold UK also offer live and historic price per gram data for gold, silver and other valuable metals. We recommend using these online tools to ensure you are getting the best value for your items when selling scrap gold.  

For more information about recycling your scrap gold, feel free to call our Customer Service Team on 01902 828 400, we are here to help. 

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Scrap Gold UK Are Open For Business!

Published Monday 27th April 2020

We are buying scrap precious metals again as the processing section of our industry begins to recover after the recent shutdown.


Please send your items to us by Insured Royal Mail Special Delivery, this is the only delivery method that we recommend and is very reliable.


We are currently still unable to accept appointments at our offices due to Social Distancing requirements.


Pressures on the Royal Mail delivery system are such that parcels may take longer to arrive than usual but they are getting to us and can be insured up to a value of £2,500 each.


We are operating with reduced staff and aim to process your items and contact you with an offer within two working days of receiving your parcel.

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Value Your Scrap Gold At Home With Scrap Gold UK

Published Monday 30th March 2020

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to mount and an increasing number of us stay at home, in order to flatten the curve of new cases, it’s likely that we’ll start to pay closer attention to our immediate surroundings.

Many of us might have a bit of gold lying around, whether that’s in the form of old jewellery or some item which you intended to scrap years ago. If you still have it with you, now could be the best time to get an accurate valuation, so you can prepare to sell it at the next best opportunity.

Learn how to value your scrap gold from the safety and comfort of your own home, with Scrap Gold UK today.

Valuations of gold have never been so easy

Traditionally, Scrap Gold UK encourages customers to make sales, posting any gold items directly to us. With the number of COVID-19 cases rising above 25,150 this week as of 31st March, we’ve suspended this service and won’t be accepting items after Friday 20th March, until further notice.

Apologies for any inconvenience, but we believe this is the best strategy, to ensure the safety of our customers, and to avoid the unnecessary risk of loss of items in transit, in the event that the postal system or our offices are forced to close, while the pandemic remains an issue.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a good valuation - in fact, our site has its very own Scrap Gold Calculator. If you have to remain house-bound for the next few weeks, you don’t have to set foot outside your home in order to see what your items might be worth today.

All you need to know is the weight and carat (purity) of your item, and that should be enough to help calculate what you could make from a gold scrap sale. Gold prices are high at present - the economic turmoil of a global pandemic means that the coming months could be the best time in history to consider selling gold.

One gram of 9-carat gold could yield as much as £15, so just imagine what you could make, from a larger item with a higher purity.

Recycling old gold to maximise value

The pandemic means pausing our full service for the time being, but be assured that Scrap Gold UK expects to reinstate it as soon as possible. Not only will we reinstate the sale of scrap gold items, when this happens. We are specialists in maximising the value of gold, especially when it comes to recycling.

Did you know that gold jewellery has VAT applied to it but investment gold products are VAT-free? 

By selling your scrap gold items to us, you can reinvest the proceeds towards an investment gold item, such as gold bars or coins, helping you store your wealth effectively, as gold prices remain high.

If you are considering purchasing gold bars or coins then take a look at our sister website The Gold Bullion Company for some ideas on what is available.

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A Guide To British Hallmarks

Published Tuesday 3rd March 2020

Hallmarks date back over 700 years to the fourth century AD and were introduced by the Byzantine Empire as a standard to identify silver - their most precious alloy - through a series of punch marks in the metals surface, clearly indicating to the holder a guarantee of authenticity and purity.

In the UK, since 1300 the law has required anyone manufacturing gold or silver metal to ensure an accurate and legible hallmark is stamped on the item to provide an instant identification of the items purity and origin. The Hallmarking Act of 1973 introduced further guidelines to clarify the process of identifying the item’s manufacturer and make-up and to introduce a structure for hallmarking platinum metals. As of January 1999, all UK manufactured gold, silver and platinum must be identified with the marker or Sponsors mark, the assay office mark and the fineness code. 

British Assay Office Marks

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Precious Metals Are Found In The Most Surprising Everyday Items

Published Tuesday 3rd March 2020

You may be surprised by the range of unused or unwanted items that contain precious metal and can generate some extra cash if you decide to sell. 

While most people realise there is money to be made from broken gold jewellery and items they will never wear again, there are actually a number of things that you may have tucked away and forgotten about that we will buy and convert into cash. 

Gold and silver watches are often overlooked, whether they are old fashioned fob and pocket watches or watches with gold or silver straps. They’re the kind of thing that often gets shoved to the back of a drawer when the movement breaks, with the intention that one day you’ll get them fixed, but you never do. 

When selling gold and silver watches, remember that the weight of the item includes the glass and workings of the watch, which are not counted when it’s being valued for the precious metal it contains. 

Old gold and silver coins that you may have collected or had passed down by relatives are also currently fetching strong prices, due to the current strong prices per ounce that gold is attracting. If you have any pre-1920 UK silver coins, they are 92.5 per cent silver and pre-1947 silver coinage contains 50 per cent silver. These can be cashed in as well. 

Many people do not realise that they may be sitting on a tidy sum in the form of silver household items, again many of which they have inherited and squirrelled away in the loft. We buy silver tableware, cutlery, salt and pepper pots and bowls, along with silver picture frames, candlesticks, boxes and pens. 

The recent reduction in the number of people who smoke means that there are a great many gold and silver cigarette cases and even cigarette lighters and holders that will never be used again but they still have a value due to their precious metal content. 

It’s actually surprising just how many daily items used to be fashioned from silver, but in order to sell them for the precious metal they contain, they must be silver items – not silver plated or EPNS silverware.  

Take some time to hunt in the back of those seldom opened cupboards, or those long-forgotten boxes in the attic. There are valuable little gems just waiting to be re-discovered. 

 If you are unsure whether the items that you find would be of interest to us, feel free to call our Customer Service Team on 01902 828 400, we are here to help.  

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What Happens When You Sell Your Unwanted Gold For Recycling?

Published Monday 2nd March 2020

When we receive your old, unwanted or broken gold jewellery for recycling, it’s just the start of a journey to create new gold items. 

The first step is to discover the value of the gold in the pieces. They are sorted into different carats – the higher the carat number, the more valuable the gold – and weighed. This is how we calculate the price that we offer for your items, based on the up-to-the-minute gold price per troy ounce. 

When the gold pieces have been sorted, it’s time to smelt them. When the gold is placed in a furnace at a very high heat, it melts and can be cooled down in blocks or ingots, ready to be sold on for refining and reuse.  

 
The beauty of gold is that it can be reused time and time again without losing any of its properties and therefore its value. It’s likely that modern gold jewellery pieces that you cherish contain gold that has gone through this process, possibly several times – and the precious metal itself may have actually been mined decades, if not centuries ago. 

Recycling your gold isn’t just good for your bank account, it’s also good news for the environment. It’s been calculated that for every gold ring made from freshly-mined metal, around 20 tonnes of toxic waste is generated, because of the chemicals that are used in the gold mining industry. This is one reason why many people will only buy ‘ethical gold’ nowadays. 

Currently, around a third of the gold that is needed every year comes from recycled supplies – whether that is to make new jewellery, gold bars, ingots and coins for investors, or for use in technology such as smartphones and laptops. 

By hunting through your unwanted gold items at home and selling them on for cash, you’ll be playing your part in increasing the proportion of ‘old’ gold that’s available to use again – and helping the environment at the same time. 

If you are unsure whether the items that you find would be suitable for recycling, feel free to call our Customer Service Team on 01902 828 400, we are here to help.  

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