There's a wide range of options for anyone wanting to sell gold these days. A lot of local jewellers offer to buy gold, many online services, market stalls, and some venues that have no connection with jewellery at all. However, if you are looking to get cash for gold then you need to be aware of the latest gold prices.

Most reputable jewellers will quote prices that are based on market rates of the different qualities of gold e.g. 24 carat, 18 carat etc. You can expect that they will make a reasonable commission on the prices quoted in the range of 10-20% from the market rate. However, some outlets can take much larger commissions or charge service fees, postal charges, admin fees and the rest; leaving you with as little as 50% of the market value of your gold. One big advantage of using a service from professional jewellers is that they can assess the gold items for any resale value as jewellery items. This way, you may get more for your gold than just the scrap value.

Prices vary daily and therefore it is a good idea to keep an eye on prices and look at the trends. With increasing use of smart phones by most of us, there are plenty of Apps that allow you to track the latest gold prices while on the go. Many of these Apps provide a lot of additional useful information. Here is a selection of some of the more popular Apps available on the iPhone:

• Gold Prices allows you to track spot prices and provides you with 30 day, 60 day, 6 month, 1 year, 5 year and 10 year charts. They have also recently added platinum and silver prices too.
• Kcast Gold Live includes other precious metals, historical charts, different exchange rates and a useful unit of measure converter too.
• Gold Price will provide you with the latest quotes for gold prices from London, New York & Zurich, plus spot rates.

By watching the trends and keeping an eye on the fluctuating gold prices, you can decide when would be the best time to sell your gold.

Price is not the only consideration when selling your gold as the quality is an important factor. The gold will need to be properly tested to ascertain the quality. Of course you can check the jewellery yourself to see if there are any identifiable standard hallmarks. That way you can make sure that you are getting the correct valuation for your gold.

Selling gold is like selling anything, knowing the market and your product means you are well placed to get a good price for your unwanted gold jewellery.

The Gold Recycling Centre is run by Antony James Jewellers and we update our prices on a daily basis using the current market rates. You can check the price of your gold using our Gold Valuation Calculator - no other charges are applicable.

The wedding ring has traditionally been seen as the final gift in a series of betrothal gifts which includes the engagement ring. Its tradition dates all the way back to Roman times when it was seen as one of the most important jewellery items.

Choosing wedding rings for a couple can be the first of many future areas of compromise given that there are so many colours, shapes, designs and other factors to consider - it can be difficult to get agreement. Traditionally, the yellow gold ring has been the most popular; usually in either 14ct or 18ct gold. However, some people prefer the white gold as a better match with skin colour and it has become a popular, modern and stylish alternative. White gold includes other metals and it is the palladium that gives the gold its colour. Rose gold is another alternative which has been popular at various times as the fashion changes. The quality of the metal is an important consideration, given that most rings are worn for long periods, if not permanently. They can easily be scratched and damaged by day to day chores and many common cleaning products. Platinum is a heavier gold and one of the hardest and densest metals, giving a similar appearance to white gold but is very durable although more expensive. Titanium is also becoming popular as a fashionable and yet durable alternative but is also more expensive. Titanium also has the advantage that is much lighter. It is also important to give consideration to colour as in many cases the ring will need to match with an engagement ring. Two tone wedding rings have also become increasingly popular and these may take the form of coloured grooves or strips as part of the ring.

There are also a variety of styles to consider including: court, flat court, flat and halo. The traditional court ring is curved slightly on both the outside and the inside, while the flat court ring or D shape is flat on the outside, hence the name, which means it works well for rings with diamond settings. You do get a variety of D shaped rings including light, medium and heavy. In addition there is the halo ring halo ring that has a concave profile. You can also get puzzle rings which have a more complex design of interlocking rings. These can be more expensive due to the additional work and waste generated by the process. There is also the option to get a more custom or handcrafted design. Not having something that is ready made clearly has the advantage of not only being unique but gives couples something special to them albeit at a much higher price. These rings can be produced from moulds based on the use of CAD design systems. Some ring designs are more symbolic like the Russian ring which includes three interlocking rings to signify love, hope and faith. It is also not uncommon to have inscriptions on the ring for the couples' names or even some text with special significance to the couple. And just when you thought all the decisions were made, you also need to think about the type of finish to the ring which includes frosted, matt and the traditional polished gold.

The width of the ring will need to take into account the size of your fingers with men traditionally having a wider ring for this reason. How the ring fits with your engagement ring is another consideration.

Although there are numerous ways to purchase your ring, a professional jeweller will be able to get you sized correctly. This is normally done by placing a plastic ring on your finger and then comparing to a chart to obtain the correct size. Ideally, you should get the size taken at different times of day to make sure you get a size that is comfortable as fingers do swell due to the temperature and general weather conditions.

Given the cost in both money and sentimental value, it is worth taking some time to make the right decision when purchasing such an important jewellery item.

Your jewellery is not only valuable but in many cases has sentimental value and therefore it is important that you take good care of your jewellery. There are some basic tips regarding cleaning, removal and storage of your jewellery which mean that you keep your jewellery in the best possible condition and avoid scratches and other damage which can reduce its lustre and shine or worse. Jewellery also has clasps, supports and springs that can easily be damaged and can result in loss of stones if not properly maintained.

Remove jewellery to avoid damage from everyday tasks and activities

It is common for some items of jewellery, particularly wedding rings or other items with sentimental value, to be worn al the time. This means they are susceptible to damage from many everyday events such as swimming, household cleaning or manual work. The chlorine found in swimming pools and jacuzzis is a particular problem; regular exposure can cause damage over time and therefore it is best to remove the jewellery if possible. Some activities like DIY and gardening also put your jewellery at risk of damage from scratches, dents or even breaks. It should also be noted that household cleaning products contain a lot of chemicals or acids that can be damaging and therefore removal during cleaning is also recommended. You can of course make sure your rings are protected by wearing rubber gloves for cleaning.

Have a designated and appropriate storage place for your jewellery

How many times do you hear about people who remove their jewellery temporarily for cleaning jobs and then can't find it afterwards? In the worse case, it has dropped down the plug hole. Make sure you have a regular place to store your jewellery like a ring stand where you know it can't fall or be lost. W hen you are outside the home, then put the jewellery in a soft pouch or otherwise a tissue to prevent scratches and damage from other items.

Jewellery boxes are obviously the best storage on a more permanent basis as they contain separate compartments for each jewellery item and are felt lined; preventing contact between gold and say diamonds that might cause damage. A regular storage option reduces the likelihood of items being misplaced around the house. The main thing to avoid with storage is glass or metal containers that may cause damage to the items.

Regular cleaning is recommended to maintain the lustre and shine

It always recommended getting your jewellery cleaned professional as not only will it look better, they will also inspect it for any other damage to clasps etc. A broken clasp could mean the loss of a stone or bracelet at some future stage and you may not be covered by insurance if the insurer feels the jewellery was not maintained properly. You can use warm soap water and a soft cloth or brush to clean jewellery yourself. You should make sure the item is rinsed properly afterwards and buffed with a lint free cloth. There are non abrasive jewellery cleaners available for purchase for this purpose.

Make sure you give your jewellery the care and attention it deserves to ensure you preserve the value, both monetary and sentimental, for many years to come.

Author: Tony Birdsall - Antony James Jewellers, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey

The sale of unwanted gold jewellery or scrap gold seems to be an ever increasing trend, with the opportunity to get cash for gold promoted in TV commercials, porn brokers, jewellers and online. The steady rise of gold over the past seven years and the current recession are key factors in the popularity of this market. 

A steady rising price for gold tends to reinforce its image as a good investment during economic uncertainty thus fuelling further demand.  India tends to be the largest consumers for gold partly due to religious and cultural requirements. Around two thirds of total demand is for jewellery.  Industrial demand is relatively small but primarily in the electronics industry where its non-corrosive properties and electrical conductivity are beneficial.  The supply of gold from gold mines is relatively inelastic due to the long lead times for new mines to come to production.  This means that growth in demand can quickly lead to higher prices as we have seen in the last year.  Recycled gold accounts for approximately one third of the supply of gold and therefore has a significant role to play in the market.  It is also a good thing for the planet by reducing the impact of further gold mining on the environment.

There are numerous investment opportunities for gold: bullion coins, small gold bars, traded securities, gold accounts, and gold certificates.  The idea of a Harry Potter style Gringotts bank holding your gold may seem quite appealing and it is possible to have your very own secure holding.  However, it is more frequent, easier and usually cheaper to invest in gold based funds (shares in mining companies) which can be held in ISAs, are easy to buy and sell.  It is worth noting that the price of gold is quoted in US dollars and therefore an investment can be impacted by currency fluctuations.

If you are considering selling your gold through one of the many outlets currently available, then it is worth knowing that there are huge variations in the prices paid: often varying between 20% and 90% of the current gold value on the market.  There are large advertising costs associated with some of services we see on television and therefore the prices paid reflect their costs.  Many services don't offer a guaranteed price but entice you with high potential values.  There can also be hidden charges for valuation, postage, and sending back your gold.  In some cases, the cost of returning the gold is so high as to make the sale at any price more worthwhile.

Here are some basic tips for anyone thinking of selling their gold:

• Know what kind of gold you have. Look for a hallmark on the jewellery (see British Hallmarking Council site) to identify the quality of the gold. Jewellers may have to test the gold if the quality is not clearly shown.
• Like any other service, it is worth shopping around. You can check the latest prices for gold online. Prices are quoted based on a troy ounce (24 carat pure gold 31.1g). Other carats are discounted proportionately based on the quality e.g. 18 carat is 75% of this price. You should be able to achieve 80% of the current gold value and ideally 90% but the service provider does have costs and needs to make some profit.
• Ensure you check what other charges are applicable in terms of valuation fees, postage, return costs or any other commissions. If prices are quoted for specific carats then see if these are guaranteed for any period.
• When you sell your gold for scrap, you lose any retail value there may be in the jewellery itself. If you sell through established jewellers, they may be able to resell your jewellery without scrapping it. This means you could get more for your gold than just the scrap value.
• Obvious items for scrap will be broken items requiring a high repair cost, single earrings and any out of fashion items with little resale value. Sentimental reasons apart, these items may as well earn you some cash.
• Check if the service provider is a long established trader and has a bricks and mortar property - a physical presence and identifiable address. Can the service provider be easily contacted by phone ?

Author: Tony Birdsall - Antony James Jewellers, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey

The recent rise in gold prices has meant a renewed interest in the value of our unwanted jewellery. Knowing about hallmarking and some of the most common tests that are used will ensure that when you do come to sell, you are more likely to get a good deal.

Only items that have an official gold hallmark can actually be described by a jeweller as gold in the UK and you can get more information on all the hallmarks at the British Hallmarking Council website. UK hallmarks are 375, 585, 750, 916, and 999 but as the UK is a signatory to the international convention on hallmarks, these international hallmarks are recognised in the UK as well. You should look to see if your jewellery is stamped with one of these hallmarks. It is a good idea to use a magnifying glass to see if the hallmark is one of the UK Hallmarks or one recognised under the convection. 750 indicates the jewellery is 75% pure and therefore 18k gold, 375 means 375 parts per 100 or 37.5% pure which is categorised as 9k gold. Some people think that colour is an indication of quality but the colour is a result of mixing of the gold with other metals such as copper, for example, gives a rose colour or Rhodium which gives the white gold colour.

If the jewellery does not contain a hallmark, then a simple test is to use a magnet on the jewellery as precious metals are not magnetic. However, you may get an attraction against other items in the jewellery which won't be gold, like the clasps or supports. You should therefore take care when you are using this approach.

A jeweller examining your jewellery will first look for an official hallmark but if this does not clearly identify the value of the gold, then they will test the gold. A small area of the jewellery, in a non visible spot, will be filed and acid applied to the filing (the filing is required to make sure that the test in not just being performed on the surface of the item). The jeweller is looking for a change in colour which will signify the karat of the gold.

It is also possible to buy a gold testing kit which involves you scratching the gold on a stone supplied in the kit and then testing the residue on the stone with acid. It is the process that gave rise to the expression ‘the acid test'. It is the time interval that the gold residue remains on the stone which determines the quality of the gold - 18k gold will last longer than 30 seconds. Testing higher quality gold items requires comparison of dissolve times against standard sample results.

Having some knowledge of the process means you are better equipped to get the best deal when you come to sell your gold. However, it is always recommended that you find a reputable jeweller who can make a professional assessment of the quality and value of the gold.

Author: Tony Birdsall - Antony James Jewellers, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey