Published 2 June 2026
What 22ct gold means
22ct gold is 91.6% pure gold, usually hallmarked 916. Most British hallmarked 22ct jewellery is older (pre-1970 wedding bands and sovereigns). Today, 22ct is most commonly seen on imported Indian, Pakistani, Bengali and Gulf jewellery, where higher purity is the cultural standard.
The high gold content gives 22ct its rich, deep yellow colour. It is softer than 18ct, so 22ct chains and bangles often show fine surface scratches even with light wear. That softness has no effect on the offer, because we are paying for the metal, not the finish.
How a 22ct offer is calculated
Each piece is XRF-tested for verified purity (around 0.916 for 22ct), weighed in grams and valued against the live precious-metal market on the day. A small refining cost is deducted, and any non-gold components (steel screws on bangle clasps, paste stones, glass beads, lacquered enamel) are removed from the weight.
For mixed-purity parcels (22ct bangles plus 18ct rings, for example), the offer shows each karat separately so you can accept some pieces and ask for others to be returned.
What XRF detects on imported 22ct
XRF is particularly useful for imported jewellery because foreign hallmarks vary in reliability. Genuine 22ct from BIS-marked Indian work, Saudi 916 stamps and Bahraini certified pieces almost always test true to the mark. Older "22K" stamps from unregulated workshops occasionally test at 18ct or 20ct in practice. Either way, the offer reflects what the metal actually is.
We also check for hollow construction. Many 22ct bangles and choker pieces are built with a thin gold shell over a wax or resin core that is melted out. The shell is genuine 22ct and pays as such, but the displayed weight feels lighter than expected.
Common 22ct items posted to us
- Wedding bangles (set of two or four) gifted at a marriage.
- Long chains with religious pendants (om, allah, cross, ganesh).
- Mangalsutra with black-bead sections that are removed and returned.
- Sovereign and half-sovereign pendants set into 22ct mounts.
- Pre-1970 British 22ct wedding bands.
- Eid and Diwali gift jewellery that no longer fits or is unworn.
You can post all of these in a single insured parcel using the postal-gold service.
Sentimental pieces: when not to melt
Some 22ct pieces are worth more intact. Old sovereigns and half-sovereigns in their original mounts often pay better as coins than as scrap. Hand-engraved Indian temple jewellery from named workshops sometimes has a collector path. If we spot either, we say so before we test for melt value. You decide what to do.
If you want to sell only some of the parcel, mark the pieces in your WhatsApp note ("the two bangles only, please return the chain"). We action that on the same written offer.
When you get paid
Once you reply "accept" to the written offer, we transfer the funds the same UK working day. Most sellers see the money within a few hours of acceptance. There is no minimum and no fee at any point. If you decline, the parcel goes back to you tracked and insured at our cost.
Common questions
Do you buy unmarked Indian or Pakistani 22ct?
Yes. XRF reads the actual purity regardless of whether the hallmark is British, BIS, Saudi or absent. The offer reflects the verified metal content.
My bangles have a sticker price from the jeweller. Can you match it?
The original retail price includes making charge, VAT and retail margin, none of which are recoverable as scrap. The metal offer reflects gold weight on the day, not the original ticket.
Can I send a kundan or polki piece for valuation?
Yes, but be aware that the stones (paste, glass or low-grade gem) are not paid as gold. We remove and return them or quote separately where there is genuine value.
How is the parcel insured?
Your parcel is insured up to £2,500 via Royal Mail Special Delivery. For larger lots, split into more than one parcel and we provide a label for each.
Do I need a receipt from the original purchase?
No. The offer is built on tested metal content. Receipts only matter for branded or antique pieces with a possible intact-resale path.
Will you ask for ID?
For postal sales we verify name and address against the Royal Mail label and bank account details. Standard anti-money-laundering checks may apply on higher-value parcels.
What happens to the black beads on a mangalsutra?
They are detached carefully and either returned with the chain (if you want to keep the mangalsutra as a memento) or discarded with your permission. The black-bead section is not paid as gold.
Can you handle a wedding-set return?
Yes. If you change your mind on any item, we return that item tracked and insured at our cost.