Keep, Sell or Value? How to Sort a Box of Old Jewellery

Many of us have a box of jewellery we never wear: broken chains, single earrings, pieces from relatives. Sorting it into three piles makes the decisions much easier.

Pile 1: Keep

• Pieces with family meaning, even if they're worth little
• Items a relative has asked about or may want later
• Anything you'd regret selling once it's melted down

If you're unsure, keep it for now. Gold doesn't spoil, and you can sell later.

Pile 2: Get valued first

• Signed designer or brand-name pieces
• Antique or vintage jewellery with fine detail
• Items with diamonds or large gemstones
• Gold coins and bullion

These may be worth more to a collector or jeweller than their gold content. A qualified independent valuer can tell you.

Pile 3: Sell for the gold

• Broken chains, bent rings and single earrings
• Dated, plain gold pieces you'll never wear
• Gold dental crowns and scrap

Broken items are worth the same per gram as perfect ones when sold for their gold. See selling broken gold.

Sorting tips

1. Check every piece for a purity stamp. Our guide to telling if gold is real explains what each stamp means.
2. Separate gold from silver and costume jewellery. Plated pieces have little resale value.
3. Weigh pile 3 and estimate its value with our gold price calculator.
4. Photograph everything before you send anything away.

Sorting an estate?

If the jewellery belonged to someone who has died, read our executor's guide first. The will may leave specific pieces to people.