Selling gold jewellery sounds straightforward, right? You walk in, hand over your pieces, get a fair offer, and leave happy. But for a lot of people across the UK, it’s not that easy. Gold prices keep climbing, and more folks are looking to cash in on old jewellery. That’s made it open season for scammers and pushy buyers. The truth is, most people get ripped off for one simple reason: they don’t actually know what their gold is worth.
The buyers who take advantage of this move fast. They’ll rush through a valuation, mess up reading hallmarks, weigh your gold wrong, or hit you with some “act now” price that’s only good for the next five minutes. It’s all designed to trip you up.
But this doesn’t have to happen. Once you spot the warning signs and know the basics about gold pricing, those scams are easy to dodge. Suddenly, you’re the one in control. You keep your money safe.
After reading this you will have knowledge on common gold-selling scams, how to avoid them, and the steps you need to sell your gold safely.
So, whether you’re selling a bent chain, a bag of scrap, or a rare vintage piece, this guide makes sure you don’t get taken for a ride—and that you walk away with the money you deserve.
“Knowing the warning signs is the easiest way to avoid being underpaid or misled.”
2. Research Gold Buyers
Scammers Rely on One Thing: You Not Checking Who They Are
One of the best tips in the guide is simple: do your homework before you sell your gold. Seriously, check out who you’re dealing with. Most people get scammed because they didn’t bother to look into their buyer. Gold buying is full of both top-notch professionals and some really shady characters. Telling them apart makes all the difference.
So, how do you research a gold buyer the right way?
Check Reviews — The Real Kind
Start with Google Reviews, Trustpilot, and Facebook. Look for photos or details from actual customers, not just generic posts. If a jeweller’s been around for a while, you’ll see a history of honest, public feedback. Fake buyers? They hide behind new accounts, blank pages, or a total lack of reviews.
Need more info? Check out our guide on the best way to sell gold jewellery in the UK. You’ll see exactly how a reputable buyer operates.
Look for a Real Business Address
Legit jewellers have actual shops you can visit. Scammers, on the other hand, prefer to operate from the shadows — no clear address, no sign, nothing you can verify.
Check for Professional Memberships
Trustworthy jewellers usually belong to groups like the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) or the British Jewellers’ Association. These memberships signal real professionalism and ethics.
Avoid Social Media “Quick Cash” Ads
If someone’s offering instant cash for gold on social media, stay away. The guide is clear: these unregulated buyers are some of the biggest scammers out there.
Look for True Transparency
Ask yourself: does the buyer display their rates? Do they walk you through how they value your gold? Can you watch the weighing? If any of that’s missing, just walk away. It’s not worth the risk.
“Legitimate jewellers have real reviews, real customers, and real premises.”
3. Know the Value of Your Gold
If You Don’t Know What Your Gold Is Worth, Someone Else Will Decide for You
If a buyer thinks you’re unsure, they’ll toss out lowball offers—way below what your gold’s really worth. But once you get how things work—purity, weight, today’s market price—you’ve got the upper hand.
Here’s what to check before you even talk to a buyer:
✔️ Get to Know Your Gold’s Purity (Karat/Fineness)
How pure is your gold? That’s what decides how much real gold you’ve got:
9ct means 37.5% pure
14ct is 58.3% pure
18ct is 75% pure
22ct is 91.6% pure
Look for the hallmark on your jewellery—it tells you the purity. Not sure how to read those tiny stamps?
Start here:
✔️ Weigh Your Gold (Even a Guess Helps)
Buyers pay you by the gram, but only for the gold—not any stones or fancy settings. If you know the weight (even just roughly), you’ll see straight away if someone’s trying to short-change you.
👉Top Tips for Getting the Best Price When Selling Your Gold (This one breaks down why weight and purity both matter.)
✔️ Check Today’s Gold Price
The gold market’s always moving. Check the current rate before you walk in—otherwise, you won’t have a clue if their offer’s fair or not.
✔️ Figure Out If Your Jewellery Is Worth More Than Scrap
Some pieces—vintage, designer, collectible coins—can fetch way more than just their gold value. Don’t miss out.
👉 The Hidden Value of Vintage Jewellery
When you know what you’re holding, you protect yourself. Walk in informed, and scammers can’t fool you. Even honest buyers will respect you more.
“Purity + weight + market price = your gold’s true value.”
4. Common Gold Selling Scams
If You Know the Tactics, You Can Spot a Scam in Seconds
Scammers thrive on confusion and pressure. They love it when you don’t know the rules. The guide attached points out the biggest mistakes sellers make—and the sneaky ways buyers manage to underpay people every single day.
Here’s what to watch out for if you’re selling gold in the UK:
1. The Hard Sell
Scammers try to hurry you along. They’ll say, “Sell now or you’ll lose today’s price,” or claim, “We’re closing soon,” or warn you that gold prices are about to crash. They’re trying to make you panic. When you rush, you lose.
👉 Top Tips for Getting the Best Price When Selling Your Gold (Patience really does pay off.)
2. Too Good to Be True
You’ll see crazy-high prices online or in shop windows. But the minute you walk in, the offer drops. Suddenly there are “fees,” “weight issues,” or “purity problems.” Classic bait and switch.
3. Lowballing People Who Don’t Know Their Gold
If you’re not sure about your gold’s purity, you’re an easy target. Buyers might claim your 18ct piece is only 9ct. Or they’ll say something’s gold-plated when it’s actually solid.
👉 Understanding Gold Hallmarks & Purity in the UK
4. The Offer That Disappears
They’ll throw out a great price, then test your gold and—surprise—the offer drops. If their reasons sound sketchy, just walk away.
5. Weighing Gold Where You Can’t See
If they weigh your gold out of sight, you have no way to know what’s going on. No visible scales, no deal. Simple as that.
6. Lump-Sum Pricing
Some buyers offer a price for the whole pile instead of by the gram. This hides the differences in purity and the real value of each item. Always ask for a per-gram breakdown.
7. Hidden Fees at the Last Minute
Watch out for “melting fees,” “admin fees,” or “processing fees” that suddenly pop up at the end. These are often made up just to chip away at your pay-out.
👉Best Way To Sell Gold Jewellery in the UK
“Transparency is the easiest way to expose a scam.”
5. Red Flags to Watch Out For
If You Notice Any of These… Walk Away Immediately
The document spells out some pretty blatant warning signs you shouldn’t ignore when selling your gold.
These aren’t just little hints—these are the big, flashing red flags:
1. The Buyer Won’t Weigh Your Gold in Front of You
If they keep the scales out of sight, they’re hiding the truth too. Any honest buyer will weigh your gold right in front of you. No excuses.
2. They Dodge Questions About Pricing
If you ask how they got to their offer and they get vague, defensive, or annoyed, that’s not a good sign. You deserve to know exactly how they’re valuing your gold.
3. No Hallmark Check or Wrong Purity Claims
Some scammers will try to call your gold “plated” or say it’s lower purity without even testing it. If they won’t check the hallmark or give you a proper explanation, just walk away.
4. Pressure to Sell Right Now
You’ll hear things like, “This price only lasts five minutes,” or “Gold prices are crashing, you have to sell now.” They want you to panic and make a snap decision. Don’t fall for it.
5. No ID Check
Legit gold buyers always ask to see your ID—it’s the law. If they don’t bother, it’s a huge warning sign.
6. Hidden Fees at the Last Minute
Watch out for surprise “melting charges,” “admin fees,” or “handling costs” that pop up out of nowhere. These are just tricks to pay you less.
Keep these in mind and trust your gut. If anything feels off, it probably is.
Safe Ways to Sell Gold
Follow These Steps and You’ll Never Be Underpaid Again
Once you spot the warning signs and know the usual scams, it’s time to figure out how to actually sell your gold the right way. You want the process to be smooth, clear, and worth your while. Here’s how to make sure that happens:
✔️ Stick with Reputable, Well-Known Jewellers
Go for local jewellers who’ve been around for years. Their business relies on trust and regular customers, so they won’t try to trick you or give you a lowball offer.
👉 Best Way To Sell Gold Jewellery in the UK
✔️ Get a Few Valuations Before Deciding
Don’t settle for the first price you hear. Ask at least two or three places—it gives you a real idea of what your gold’s actually worth and gives you some bargaining power.
👉 Top Tips for Getting the Best Price When Selling Your Gold
✔️ Watch How the Buyer Tests Your Gold
A good buyer does everything right in front of you. They’ll check the hallmarks, test the purity (with XRF or acid), weigh your gold where you can see it, and walk you through how they calculate the price. If they want to do any of this out of sight, that’s a red flag.
✔️ Always Use Insured, Tracked Post for Online Sales
Never risk sending gold with standard mail. Use tracked, insured delivery—ideally, the buyer sends you a secure, prepaid pack to make it easy.
✔️ Get Every Offer in Writing
Always ask for a written quote. It keeps things above board and stops anyone from trying to change the price later.
“Safe gold selling means everything happens openly, step by step, right in front of you.”
When to Walk Away
Trust Your Instincts — If Something Feels Wrong, It Usually Is
One of the best reminders in this guide is simple: you never have to sell your gold. Not to anyone, not ever.
Scammers count on making you feel rushed, confused, or uncomfortable. But when you know you can just walk away, you hold all the power. Honestly, that’s often your smartest move.
Here’s when you should just get up and leave:
- The Offer Suddenly Changes
- If the buyer drops the price out of nowhere, blames “new info,” or slaps on surprise fees, don’t stick around. Just walk out.
- You’re Being Rushed or Pressured
A real jeweller won’t push you to “decide right now” or warn you that “prices are about to drop.” Pressure is a big red flag.
Check out: Top Tips for Getting the Best Price When Selling Your Gold
- They Test or Weigh Your Gold Where You Can’t See
- If you can’t watch them weigh, test, or calculate anything, something’s up.
- The Buyer Gets Defensive When You Ask Questions
If basic questions like “What’s your price per gram?” or “How did you figure that out?” make them squirm, just leave.
- You Don’t Feel Comfortable
Trust your gut. If something feels off—the vibe, the way they talk, the explanations—take your jewellery and go.
Picture this: You calmly pick up your jewellery and walk out. The sign of a trustworthy buyer? They never make you feel trapped. You’re always free to leave.
Selling Gold Should Feel Safe, Not Stressful
Selling gold isn’t supposed to feel like a risk. With the right info, you can dodge scams, avoid low offers, and make sure you get a fair deal. Scammers count on you not knowing the value of your gold—but now you do.
You’re not that unprepared seller anymore. Now you know how to research buyers, spot real hallmarks and purity, notice red flags, steer clear of scams, and—most important—walk away if something feels wrong.
Pair what you’ve learned here with the advice in Best Way To Sell Gold Jewellery in the UK and Top Tips for Getting the Best Price When Selling Your Gold, and you’re set to sell with confidence.
At Blackwell Jewellers, we keep things honest and open. We think selling your gold should feel safe and straightforward—no pressure, no sneaky fees, no tricks. We do every valuation right in front of you, using live prices.
If you’re ready to sell, let’s make sure you do it safely. We’re here to help.
👉 Get a free, no-obligation gold valuation today
👉 Visit Blackwell Jewellers for a safe, transparent selling experience
“When you choose the right buyer, selling gold becomes simple and stress-free.”
