Free gold valuation • St Helens
Gold Valuation in St Helens
Want to know what your gold is worth? Bring it to our Church Street shop or send us photos on WhatsApp. We assess gold jewellery, scrap gold, coins and bullion and explain how we reached the offer.
Already have a quote? Send it over with photos of the same items and let us try to beat any genuine like-for-like offer.
Photos can help us give an initial idea. We’ll confirm the final offer after seeing and checking the items in person.
Free valuation • No pressure to sell • Same-day payment available
Gold We Can Assess
A quick overview of the gold we regularly value at our Church Street counter:
How We Work Out the Value of Your Gold
Every valuation follows the same clear steps, whether it’s a single ring or a full jewellery box:
- 1. We inspect the item.
- 2. We check the gold purity.
- 3. We weigh the relevant gold.
- 4. We account for stones or non-gold parts where needed.
- 5. We consider the current gold market.
- 6. We explain the offer.
- 7. You decide whether to sell.
“We explain how we reached the offer before you decide whether to sell.”
This page covers how the valuation figure itself is worked out. For a walk-through of what happens on your visit — sending photos, being seen at the counter, being paid — see how it works.
What Carat Is Your Gold?
- • 9ct gold contains less pure gold than 18ct gold.
- • 22ct gold contains more pure gold than 9ct or 18ct.
- • Purity affects the value per gram.
- • Common UK purities include 9ct, 14ct, 18ct and 22ct.
- • 24ct gold is close to pure gold and is more common in bars and some coins.
- • You don’t need to identify the carat yourself before visiting.
| Carat | Common marking | Approx. gold purity |
|---|---|---|
| 9ct | 375 | 37.5% |
| 14ct | 585 | 58.5% |
| 18ct | 750 | 75.0% |
| 22ct | 916 | 91.6% |
| 24ct | 999 / 999.9 | approx. 99.9% |
Markings are useful, but they still need to be considered alongside the item itself.
No Hallmark or a Worn Hallmark?
- • Hallmarks can be tiny, worn or difficult to read.
- • Older jewellery may have different marks.
- • Some genuine gold items may be unmarked.
- • Some non-gold items may carry misleading marks.
- • Unmarked items may still be considered after suitable checks.
- • Please don’t damage or file items yourself.
“You do not need to identify the hallmark before visiting. Bring the item in and we’ll take a look.”
How We Check Gold
Checks may include:
- • Visual inspection.
- • Markings and hallmarks.
- • Weight.
- • Dimensions where relevant.
- • How the item is constructed.
- • Appropriate testing.
- • Comparison with the expected specification.
- • Additional checks where results do not agree.
“No single check is relied on in every situation. The checks used depend on the type and construction of the item.”
Why the Scale Weight Is Not Always the Gold Weight
- • Jewellery may contain stones.
- • Clasps may contain springs or other materials.
- • Watches contain movements and other components.
- • Hollow jewellery may need additional consideration.
- • Some pieces contain several metals.
- • The full scale weight cannot always be valued as gold.
- • Any allowance is explained to you before an offer is agreed.
“We explain any allowance for stones or non-gold parts before you decide whether to sell.”
See also: selling gold jewellery, scrap gold and jewellery with diamonds.
What Happens if the Jewellery Contains Stones?
- • Stones may affect the payable gold weight.
- • Some diamonds or gemstones may have separate value.
- • Not every stone has a meaningful resale value.
- • The item may sometimes be worth more as a complete piece.
- • Please don’t remove stones before visiting.
- • Bring certificates and boxes where available.
“We’ll explain whether the offer is based mainly on the gold content or whether the complete piece may have additional value.”
How the Gold Price Affects Your Valuation
- • Global gold prices move throughout the day.
- • The market is commonly quoted for pure gold.
- • Jewellery of different carats contains different amounts of pure gold.
- • A buying offer is not automatically the same as the headline spot price.
- • Testing, refining, resale, condition and transaction requirements may affect the offer.
- • Larger bullion transactions may be assessed differently from mixed scrap jewellery.
“The headline gold price is a useful starting point, but it is not automatically the amount paid for every gram of every item.”
For a plain-English explanation, see the current UK gold price guide.
Why Can Gold Quotes Differ?
Differences between two gold quotes may come from:
- • Different purity conclusions.
- • Different stone-weight allowances.
- • Different weighing methods.
- • Whether the item is valued as scrap or as a complete piece.
- • Current gold prices at the time of quoting.
- • Refining or resale costs.
- • Whether a coin may have collectable value.
- • Whether the quote includes every item.
- • Payment terms or conditions.
“When comparing quotes, make sure both buyers are valuing the same items on the same basis.”
Send us the written quote and photographs of the same items. Let us try to beat any genuine like-for-like offer before you sell.
Jewellery, Scrap Gold, Coins and Bars Are Not All the Same
Gold Jewellery
May be valued for its gold content, condition, design or resale potential.
Scrap Gold
Usually assessed mainly for usable gold content after considering stones and other materials.
Gold Coins
May have value based on gold content, date, condition, rarity and collector demand.
Gold Bars and Bullion
May be assessed using weight, purity, dimensions, markings, packaging and appropriate authenticity checks.
What Should I Bring for a Gold Valuation?
- • The items themselves.
- • Any boxes or packaging.
- • Certificates.
- • Receipts where available.
- • Any existing written quotations.
- • Identification where required (passport or driving licence).
- • Any information you have about the item.
Do not clean, file, dismantle or remove stones before bringing the item in.
For the full customer journey — visit, offer, payment — see how it works.
Sending Photos Before You Visit
Where possible, please send:
- • A clear photograph of the full item.
- • Front and reverse.
- • Hallmarks or markings.
- • Stones.
- • Packaging or certificates.
- • Stated weight where relevant.
- • Any existing written quotation.
“Not sure what details matter? Send clear photographs and we’ll take a look.”
Photographs give an initial indication only. A final price is confirmed after we’ve seen and checked the items in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the gold valuation free?
Yes. Valuations at our Church Street counter are free with no obligation to sell.
Do I need an appointment?
No appointment is needed for individual pieces. For larger collections or bullion it's worth calling ahead so we can make time and have the right team available.
Can you value gold from photographs?
Photographs help us give an initial idea, but a final offer is confirmed after we've seen, tested and weighed the items in person.
What if my gold has no hallmark?
Unmarked items may still be considered after appropriate checks at the counter. You don't need to identify or test the gold yourself.
How is gold purity checked?
Purity is assessed using a combination of visual inspection, markings and appropriate testing. The checks used depend on the type and construction of the item.
How do you account for stones?
Stones and non-gold parts aren't counted in the gold weight. Any allowance is explained before you decide whether to sell, and some stones may have separate value.
Is the scale weight the same as the gold weight?
Not always. Clasps, springs, watch movements, stones and hollow sections may need an allowance. We explain any allowance before agreeing an offer.
Why is the buying price different from the spot price?
The headline gold price is quoted for pure gold on wholesale markets. A buying offer also reflects carat, testing, refining, resale and transaction requirements, so it isn't automatically the same figure per gram.
Do you value gold coins differently from jewellery?
Yes. Coins may be assessed on gold content, date, condition, rarity and collector demand. Some coins are worth more than their gold value alone.
Do you value gold bars?
Yes. Bars are assessed using weight, purity, dimensions, markings, packaging and appropriate authenticity checks. For larger bars please call ahead.
Can you try to beat an existing quote?
Send us the written quote with photographs of the same items and we'll try to beat any genuine like-for-like offer. We can't guarantee to beat every quote.
Do I need identification?
Yes. Please bring valid photo ID (passport or driving licence) — it's a standard requirement for second-hand gold purchases.
How quickly can I be paid?
Same-day payment is available in most cases, once we've seen the items in person and agreed a final offer.
Visit St Helens Gold
St Helens Gold
Inside Cash Generator St Helens
No appointment needed — just walk in any day for a free valuation and same-day payment for your gold.
Google reviews for our Church Street shop, Cash Generator St Helens — the same premises that hosts our St Helens Gold buying counter, so the reviews reflect the team and location you'll visit.
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