Is It Worth Selling Broken Gold Jewelry?

Ultimately, the decision to sell broken gold depends on your personal circumstances and preferences. If you have broken gold items that hold no sentimental value and you don’t wear, then there’s little sense in repairing them, or even holding on to them. But don’t throw them out! Broken gold is still gold and can be quite valuable based on its melt value. Many of our customers are surprised by how much the broken gold jewelry laying around can earn them!

Selling broken gold jewelry can be a great way to get some extra cash. Or even if you don’t need the money, it may just make sense to get rid of broken gold jewelry collecting dust with gold prices so high. However, it’s recommended to consult with a reputable jeweler or gold buyer who can provide you with a professional appraisal and guide you through the selling process (like us at Cash for Gold Mailer, of course).

Broken Gold Jewelry = Scrap Gold

Even if your gold jewelry used to be cool or beautiful, if it’s broken and it isn’t worth the cost of repairs (it rarely is), then it’s just considered “scrap” gold. But just because it’s scrap gold doesn’t mean it’s worthless. Scrap gold can still hold considerable value due to its gold content. “Scrap” just means if you sell it to us, we’ll likely melt it down and create a new gold item out of it.

Gold is a precious metal, and its value is based on its purity and weight, not the condition it’s in. So you can sell broken gold for its scrap gold melt value, which is a lot of what we do at Cash for Gold Mailer.

How Much is Broken Gold Worth?

If the broken gold is made of high-purity gold, it will be more valuable than gold with a lower purity level. You can have the gold weighed and evaluated by a reputable jeweler or gold buyer to determine its scrap value. If you sell your gold to us, in your offer you’ll see a breakdown of different purities of gold you had, and their value.

For more information on exactly how to calculate the value of your scrap gold, check out our article How to Calculate the Value of Scrap Gold.

Is Broken Costume Jewelry Worth Anything?

In short, no. It’s purely decorative and sending it to a cash for gold company or taking it to a pawn shop won’t earn you anything. But some fake jewelry is pretty convincing, so how do you know if your broken gold jewelry is valuable or not? Taking it to a professional so they can use an (expensive) metal analyzer is the most sure-fire way to know, but if you’re curious and want to try to figure it out for yourself, there are a few different ways to test if your gold is real.

Types of Broken Gold Jewelry

There are various types of broken gold items that are commonly found and can be sold for their gold content. Here are a few popular types that we buy most often:

Rings, Bracelets, Earrings, & Other Jewelry: This includes pieces such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, and pendants that are damaged or missing parts. These items are often made of gold alloys and can be sold for their scrap gold value.
Gold Chains: Broken or tangled gold chains are frequently sold for their gold content. Chains are usually made of solid gold or gold-filled materials, and even if they are damaged, they can still hold value.
Gold Coins: Broken or damaged gold coins can also be sold. In rare cases, collectible or rare coins can be worth a premium, so that’s worth checking first. But in nearly all cases, the value of the gold in bullion coins is based on their gold content rather than their condition.
Gold Watches: Broken or non-functioning gold watches can be sold for their gold value. However, it’s important to note that some vintage or luxury watches may have additional value beyond their gold content, so it’s worth considering their potential worth as a whole.
Gold Dental Scrap: Dental restorations, such as crowns, bridges, or fillings, can contain gold. When these dental pieces are removed or replaced, they can be sold for their gold content.

How to Sell Broken Gold Jewelry

If you decide you’re ready to sell your gold jewelry, you can request a free Cash for Gold Mailer kit here. We offer free insurance up to $5k, same-day shipping and payments, and bring over 50 years of experience to offering you fair and accurate offers for your gold. Request a kit today!