What is broken gold worth?

Why broken gold still has value

Gold does not lose its worth when it is damaged. A cracked ring or a snapped necklace still contains gold, which can be melted down and used again.

Typical examples are bent or snapped gold rings, knotted chains, broken necklaces, earrings without a pair, and loose clasps and fragments. All of these can be melted down and valued on weight and purity, not appearance.

Fine, delicate chains wear thin over time and often break. Even when they are damaged, they still hold the value of the metal.

How broken jewellery is valued

Three items decide the value of gold that is sold for its metal.

Carat, which is purity. A 22 carat item is worth more per gram than a 9 carat one, whether or not it is broken.

Weight. The heavier the piece, such as a chunky bracelet or a thick ring, the higher the value.

The market price. The price of gold changes daily, and damaged items follow the same trend as whole jewellery.

A valuer also looks at whether the worth of a damaged piece lies in the gold, in any stones or in how collectable it is. Antique jewellery, such as Georgian pieces, can still be much wanted with damage, because so few survive after centuries.

Should you repair it first?

In most cases repairs cost more than they add in value. If you only want the value of the gold by weight, mending a clasp or a setting rarely makes sense.

The exception is a piece with real sentimental or collectable value, such as an antique heirloom. Otherwise it is usually better to send it as it is. The value of the gold and the cost of repair materials mean that fixing a piece first adds little.

What happens when you send it

Selling broken gold with us has four steps. You ask for a free postage pack. You post your jewellery, coins or watches in it, using the free postage label. We examine, weigh and value every item, whether it is a dented ring, a snapped chain or an odd earring. Then you receive our offer, with no obligation. If you accept, you are paid.