Where do Folks Sell the Gold and Silver Jewelry They Find?

[califteacher]

I have no idea where my fellow hobbyists typically sell their gold & silver finds--local pawn shops, jewelers, or mail away companies? Is there a different answer for gold, silver, jewelry with stones, etc.? Even though I have been metal detecting for over a decade, it is only now that my valuable finds have started to accumulate, making me curious about how to sell some of them.

I searched this website and couldn't find any starter's advice on selling valuable finds, but apologize in advance if I overlooked a source of information. I live in Southern California, if that makes any difference.

Thank you for your feedback.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

The coin shop I go to sells coins ,jewelry and they also buy gold and silver. They go by spot price they have a board that updates it by the minute so when you start your sale that will be the price they go off of. They payout at 85% of spot.

 

[smokeythecat]

I kept all mine. Some few exceptions I gave to my kids.

 

[DDancer]

Easiest way is what Back-of-the-boat says, just find a reputable coin seller. You'll never get full spot price and the sites you find online wont do you any better than a local buyer. Many of the online sites are looking for large quantities and are essentially recyclers. If you have any stones take them to a jeweler as the coin dealer probably wont pay for them.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Sell my finds? What a novel idea!

I've never sold anything, just goes in the safety deposit box for my kids when I cross over. The clad - I tumble them to clean up enough to spend - should I ever need to. I live a frugal life in retirement. I do prefer a good craft beer over the bubbly gut stuff.

 

[fistfulladirt]

Sell my finds? What a novel idea!

I've never sold anything, just goes in the safety deposit box for my kids when I cross over. The clad - I tumble them to clean up enough to spend - should I ever need to. I live a frugal life in retirement. I do prefer a good craft beer over the bubbly gut stuff.

Same here. I’ve never understood that part of the hobby. If I were in this to make money, I seriously would reconsider my priorities (like getting a better paying or second job lol) but I have nothing against those that rush to sell everything they find. But ok, off my pedestal. As far as selling goes? Your best price will probably be eBay but I don’t trust all buyers not to pull a scam. My second choice, Craigslist where there are buyers that would gladly pay spot or better, myself included.

 

[malenkai]

I save my silver coins, but have no interest in gold or silver jewelry, so I sell it.

I use Midwest Refineries in Michigan. They are easy to deal with, seem honest, and give much better prices than coin dealers or "cash for gold" sort of places.

I have also used ARA Recycling, I believe in Dallas. They give even better prices, but have become harder to deal with. They used to be my go to place, but they said they won't deal with small time people like detectorists anymore. I was grandfathered in to this policy, but then they said they would not deal with me. That said, I do know some other detectorists who still use them somehow. YMMV, of course.

 

[CASPER-2]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/casper-2
you should find an old article i wrote here about selling gold and silver
may help some
click pages twice to enlarge for better reading

 

[smokeythecat]

Make money from metal detecting! You made me squirt my soda through my nose! Seriously make money? A pipe dream.

 

[Johnnybravo300]

Gold and silver aint for sellin.

 

[rgrinnell]

Gold and silver aint for sellin.

Yet we can't take it with us. ;-)

 

[fistfulladirt]

Yet we can't take it with us. ;-)

Passing all mine on down.

 

[Lammi]

Same here. I’ve never understood that part of the hobby. If I were in this to make money, I seriously would reconsider my priorities (like getting a better paying or second job lol) but I have nothing against those that rush to sell everything they find. But ok, off my pedestal. As far as selling goes? Your best price will probably be eBay but I don’t trust all buyers not to pull a scam. My second choice, Craigslist where there are buyers that would gladly pay spot or better, myself included.

I’m not in this to make money, maybe being single with no kids I think differently
I don’t understand people hanging onto everything, I say enjoy it while your here
i sell to get latest detectors go on a vacation ect
Hanging onto stuff till you die just never apeal to me
if it were my parents I would rather them use it for a cruise or ? rather than leaving it to me
i do keep some things I really like , and give a lot to family
everyone is different, whatever works for you
HH Lammi

 

[hollARDog]

I’m not in this to make money, maybe being single with no kids I think differently
I don’t understand people hanging onto everything, I say enjoy it while your here
i sell to get latest detectors go on a vacation ect
Hanging onto stuff till you die just never apeal to me
if it were my parents I would rather them use it for a cruise or ? rather than leaving it to me
i do keep some things I really like , and give a lot to family
everyone is different, whatever works for you
HH Lammi

You don't say much, but when you do👍💪

 

[Salvor6]

To all of you who say they don't sell their finds, the guy didn't ask what you do with your finds. You are no help to him.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

There are precious mining refineries that will buy the gold from you, Midwest Refineries pays 95% for gold and 90% for silver is one, there is one in Orlando I can go to that gives 92-94% of the spot price of gold at the time it is melted down.

 

[fistfulladirt]

I’m not in this to make money, maybe being single with no kids I think differently
I don’t understand people hanging onto everything, I say enjoy it while your here
i sell to get latest detectors go on a vacation ect
Hanging onto stuff till you die just never apeal to me
if it were my parents I would rather them use it for a cruise or ? rather than leaving it to me
i do keep some things I really like , and give a lot to family
everyone is different, whatever works for you
HH Lammi

Yep, different strokes for…nothing wrong with that at all. I‘d honestly really have no reason to sell even if I were single, don’t need the money, retired young and I am enjoying it all while I’m here. I have hundreds perhaps thousands of old coins and other relics found detecting, I like to look at the stuff, display it and at times daydream about where and when I found them. The memories of friends and the good times had while dirtfishing…I can’t put a price tag on that.