How it works
Free appraisal. Full transparency. Your call.
Selling gold shouldn’t feel like a trip to a back-alley broker. Here’s exactly what happens when you walk in — and what never does.
Bring it in
No appointment needed — walk-ins are welcome, though calling ahead is smart for larger collections or estates. Bring everything in one bag, unsorted: broken pieces, singles, things you suspect are plated. Part of the free appraisal is telling you what's what.
Watch us test & weigh it
Everything happens on the counter in front of you, never in a back room. We check karat marks and hallmarks, confirm purity with electronic and acid testing, and weigh each group on a certified scale positioned so you can read the display yourself.
Leave with cash
You get one clear number per item group and the math behind it. Accept, and you're paid in cash on the spot — same visit, no checks, no waiting. Decline, and you take everything home with a free education and zero hard feelings.
How the testing actually works.
Marks first
Karat stamps (10K, 14K, 585, 750), sterling marks (925), and maker hallmarks tell the first part of the story — but marks can be worn, missing, or wrong, so we never stop there.
Then the tests
Electronic testing confirms purity without harming the piece. Where a piece needs it, a small acid test on an inconspicuous spot settles the question. We'll explain each result as it happens.
Then the scale
A certified scale you can see, in grams and pennyweight. We weigh items grouped by purity so the math stays simple: purity × weight × today's rate. You can check every step on your phone.
Then your decision
No hidden fees come off the number, and nobody will lean on you to take it. "Let me think about it" is a perfectly good answer — the offer costs you nothing.
What to expect
Most appraisals take under 15 minutes. There’s no paperwork until you decide to sell, nothing leaves your sight, and you’re welcome to ask questions at every step — explaining the trade is half the job. Larger estates may take longer; call ahead and we’ll set aside the time.
One thing to bring
A valid state ID, required by law for precious-metals purchases. It’s shown once, at the time of sale — that’s the entire requirement. It protects sellers as much as buyers: it’s how the legitimate side of this business stays legitimate.
Or call (708) 933-0264 — serving chicagoland.