Gold prices hit $2,500 per ounce in late 2025, and that has pushed many people to look through drawers, boxes, and old jewellery cases. If you are thinking about selling, you may ask one simple question: What types of gold do gold buyers accept?
The good news is that most gold buyers accept many kinds of gold. From old jewellery to coins, scrap, and even dental gold, you might be holding real value without knowing it. In this guide, you will learn:
The main types of gold buyers accept
What sells best and fastest
Common mistakes to avoid
Simple tips to get more cash
U.S. gold buyers processed over 1.2 million ounces of scrap gold last year, showing just how active this market is.
Gold Jewelry: Everyday Favorites
Gold jewellery is the most common item sold to gold buyers. Almost everyone has old or unused pieces at home.
Rings, Necklaces, and Bracelets
Most gold buyers accept jewellery in many purity levels, including:
10K gold
14K gold
18K gold
24K gold
A real example: one seller brought in their grandmother’s 14K gold ring and sold it for $450 at a local gold shop.
Simple tip:
Weigh your jewellery at home before you go. You can also gently clean it with warm water and mild soap to remove dirt and oils. Clean gold looks better and is easier to test.
Broken or Vintage Pieces
Broken jewellery still has value. Gold buyers focus on gold content, not appearance.
An expert jeweler, Mark Ellis, says:
“Tarnished gold still fetches top dollar.”
In fact, 60% of jewellery sold is damaged or broken. Chains without clasps, bent rings, or old heirloom pieces are often melted and reused.
Case study: A damaged family heirloom chain was sold and melted, earning the seller $800 in profit.
Key point:
Never throw broken gold away. It can still bring strong cash value.
Earrings and Pendants
Gold buyers also accept:
Single earrings
Studs without backs
Pendants with broken loops
One important thing to know is the difference between solid gold and gold-filled items. Solid gold has much higher value.
Quick test:
Use a magnet. Real gold is not magnetic. If it sticks strongly, it may not be pure gold.
Checklist before selling:
Check clasps for purity stamps
Remove stones if asked (stones often have no gold value)
Separate gold-filled from solid gold
Gold Coins: Collectible Cash Cows
Gold coins are another popular item that gold buyer in australia accept. Some coins are valued for gold weight, while others may carry collector value.
Bullion Coins Like American Eagles
Bullion coins are made mainly for investment. Examples include:
American Gold Eagles
Canadian Maple Leafs
Gold Buffalo coins
These coins are often 1 ounce of pure gold and minted every year. In 2025, American Eagles topped sales with 500,000 units sold.
Helpful tip:
Store coins in plastic sleeves. Clean, scratch-free coins often sell faster and closer to spot price.
Rare and Proof Coins
Some gold buyers also deal in rare and proof coins. These may sell for more than melt value.
Example: 1980s Krugerrands were accepted at 95% of the spot price by many buyers.
Numismatist Lisa Grant explains:
“Condition matters most.”
Actionable advice:
If you believe your coin is rare, consider professional grading from services like PCGS. Graded coins can earn up to 20% higher payouts.
Fractional Gold Coins
Fractional coins are smaller coins, such as:
1/10 oz
1/4 oz
1/2 oz
These are popular because they are affordable and easy to sell.
Real case: One seller traded 10 small gold coins and received $1,200 to help pay tuition fees.
Why buyers like them:
Easy to store and ship
Lower risk
Strong resale demand
Scrap Gold and Dental Gold
Scrap gold may not look pretty, but it can be very valuable.
Dental Fillings and Bridges
Many people are surprised to learn that dental gold is accepted by gold buyers.
Purity fact: Dental gold is often 22K, which is very high purity.
On average, dental scrap yields around $50 per gram.
Tip:
Rinse dental items well and group similar pieces together before selling.
Industrial Scrap and Electronics
Gold buyers and refiners also accept gold from electronics, such as:
Circuit boards
Gold pins
Old connectors
Buyer Tom Reyes says:
“Refiners love tech scrap.”
Best practice:
Sell electronic gold scrap in bulk. Small amounts may not be worth much, but bulk lots often get better prices.
Loose Nuggets and Flakes
Natural gold nuggets and flakes are also accepted.
Real story: A small-scale prospector sold 2 ounces of gold nuggets for $5,000.
Preparation tips:
Dry nuggets completely
Do not file or scratch them
Keep them in separate bags
Natural shape can increase appeal.
Gold Bars and Ingots: Bulk Powerhouses
Gold bars are trusted and easy for gold buyers to value.
PAMP Suisse and Valcambi Bars
Well-known brands like:
PAMP Suisse
Valcambi
Bars range in size from 1 gram to 1 kilogram and are usually .999 pure gold.
Bars now make up 40% of dealer inventory.
Smart tip:
Check and verify serial numbers online before selling. This speeds up the process.
Custom and Secondary Market Bars
Gold buyers also accept bars from local or lesser-known mints.
Example: Local mint bars are often accepted at spot price minus 2%.
A refiner expert explains:
“Assay seals add trust.”
Case study: One investor melted gold into 10-ounce bars and gained an extra $300 due to easier resale.
What Gold Buyers Reject: Red Flags
Not everything stamped “gold” is accepted.
Gold buyers usually reject:
Gold-plated items
Fake stamps
Items with no real gold content
About 15% of submissions are turned away each year.
Simple solution:
Buy a low-cost acid test kit to check items before visiting a buyer.
Conclusion
When it comes to selling, gold buyers in Sydney accept many types of gold:
Gold jewellery leads the list
Gold coins follow closely
Scrap, dental, and even electronic gold can surprise you
In 2025, sellers averaged 92% of melt value, which is strong by market standards.
Next steps:
Gather all your gold items
Get quotes from at least three gold buyers
Sell when prices are high
Final tip:
Never rush. Comparing buyers is the easiest way to get the most cash for your gold.
