FAQ's

Answers to common questions can be found below.

Delivery

• I don't have a printer to print out your form, what should I do?
• How should I get my gold to you?
• I using the postal service a bit risky?
• Do you buy gold from outside the UK?

Payment

• What methods of payment do you make?
• How long after I send my gold will I be paid?
• How do you calculate how much to pay me?
• What is the gold fix?

Hallmarking, Ct’s and Fineness

• My gold has the numbers 375 on it – what does this mean?
• How do you know what ct value my gold is?

Processing

• You say lots over 1kg are subject to a melt and assay, what does this mean?
• I have been told it will cost me £20 for a melt and assay, is this correct?
• I’m not sure if some of my items are gold – what should I do?

Other Metals & Stones

• Do you buy other metals apart from gold?
• What are your rates for 925 silver?
• What are your rates for Platinum?
• Do you buy diamonds?
• Do you buy other stones?

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• I don't have a printer to print out your form, what should I do?

Once you have filled out the online form you will given a 5 digit job reference, Just add a note in with your items that includes :Your name, your contact number and your 5 digit job number.

• How should I get my gold to you?

We only recommend special delivery. Jewellery items are not insured by recorded delivery or by first or second class post, so the post office will not compensate you for any loss.

• A bit risky?

Special delivery is insured up to the value of £500. Insurance on special delivery can also be increased up to the value of £2500 for a small charge. Please click here for more details on postal rates and insurance

• Do you buy gold from outside the UK?

Yes, but this service is only available on application and can be subject to different charges depending on the country of origin

• What methods of payment do you make?

We make payment by Bank Transfer (recommended) cheque or Paypal. Please be aware that should we make payment to you by Paypal, Paypal will charge you for using this service. You can calculate how much better off you will be by not using Paypal by clicking here. If you opt for bank transfer and your bank subscribes to the Faster Payment Scheme we can have cleared funds in your account on the day of receipt of the gold

• How long after I send my gold will I be paid?

If you send your gold in by special delivery we will make payment to you the following day (the day we receive the gold).If your bank subscribes to the Faster Payment Scheme these funds will be clear in approximately 2 hours. Please note this is only on weekdays so if you send your gold to us on a Friday it will be paid on Monday

• How do you calculate how much to pay me?

We make our payments based on the AM gold fix on day of receipt. The actual rate you receive will be dependant on the amount and fineness of the gold. Rates can be found on our rates and calculator page here

• What is the gold fix?

For the last 80 years the gold price has been fixed by the London Gold Fixing to enable market users to trade at a single quoted price. The gold price is fixed twice daily between the members and fixing rates can be found on our rates and calculator page here

Hallmarking, Ct’s and Fineness

• My gold has the numbers 375 on it – what does this mean?

375 is an English hallmark which means the gold is 9ct. 375 is often referred to as the fineness of the gold. This is how many parts per thousand are pure gold. 9ct gold is 375 parts per thousand (or 37.5%) pure. Further details on hallmarks and finesse of other ct values can be found here

• How do you know what ct value my gold is?

We acid test any items that are sent to us to determine the ct. This is the only truly reliable test as the use of items like electronic testers are not 100% accurate

Processing

• You say lots over 1kg are subject to a melt and assay, what does this mean?

For lots over 1kg, to determine the exact weight and fineness of the gold content of the lot you have sent to us the gold is melted and formed into a gold bar (this is known as a melt). Particles of that bar are then tested to determine the fineness of that bar (assay). This maximises your return as it means you are paid on the exact gold content of the bar.

• I have been told it will cost me £20 for a melt and assay, is this correct?

£20 is an industry standard charge for a melt and assay.

• I’m not sure if some of my items are gold – what should I do?

If you would like us to test them for you we can do this. If there are items that are not gold, we will dispose of them free of charge or return them to you for a fee of £6.50 to cover postage and admin. This does not include stones as the removal of stones is not a service we offer.

Other Metals & Stones

• Do you buy other metals apart from gold?

Yes we buy any precious metals

• What are your rates for 925 silver?

The silver price is set at 82.5% of fix, which we believe is a market leading price.This is a price for fine silver. Please call us for latest rates

• What are your rates for Platinum?

Prices for Platinum are now published on the web site and within the site's calculator

• Do you buy diamonds?

No, We only deal in precious metals (please see the section below regarding stones within your scrap jewellery.

• Do you buy Other Stones?

No, all stones that are left in items of jewellery that are sent in are non returnable and are either smashed out or melted along with your metals. Under no circumstances do these stones get returned. The section on the form that states "RETURN NON GOLD ITEMS" does not mean stones this refers to items such as costume jewellery and other fake goods. In most cases stones are removed by either crushing them out with a hammer or a vice, When this method is not possible stones are melted along with your gold. Hatton Garden Metals will not be held responsible for the loss of any stones you fail to remove. Should you wish to keep your stones we suggest that you have these removed before you send your items in for scrapping, as stone removal is not a service we offer.