Published 2 June 2026
What 24ct (fine gold) really is
24ct gold, sometimes shown as 999 or 999.9, is fine gold. It is too soft for everyday jewellery, so 24ct in the UK normally arrives as bullion bars, investment coins, or 24ct gift jewellery from East Asia where higher purity is the cultural norm.
Most British wedding jewellery is not 24ct. If a chain is marked 999 but feels stiff and springy, it is more likely 22ct or 18ct mis-stamped. We confirm with XRF before quoting.
How a 24ct offer is built
For investment-grade bars (PAMP, Umicore, Metalor, Baird, The Royal Mint) and recognised coins (Britannia, Sovereign, Krugerrand, Maple Leaf), the offer is built directly off the live precious-metal market with the standard recognised premium for the format. There is no refining cost on intact branded bars in their assay cards.
For 24ct jewellery, we still XRF-test, weigh and offer per piece. A 24ct East Asian chain pays for the gold it contains, with no deduction for hallmarks because there is no alloying to subtract.
Coins and bars: what to send
- Photograph each coin face and reverse, plus any assay card or serial number.
- WhatsApp 07763 741067 with the photos and a one-line description.
- We email a prepaid Royal Mail Special Delivery label sized to the parcel.
- Place coins in their original capsules or small zip-bags, pad the box.
- Drop the parcel at the Post Office counter and keep the receipt.
- We confirm arrival, identify each item, and email a written per-item offer.
For higher-value parcels above the £2,500 cover threshold, message first and we will split the consignment over more than one prepaid label.
Counterfeit-spotting on 24ct
Counterfeit bullion does enter the UK postal market. XRF surface readings catch most fakes, and we additionally check tungsten cores by weight, dimension and acoustic tone where a piece looks suspect. We will tell you honestly if a bar fails verification, and we will not melt or destroy a piece without your permission.
If you bought from a recognised UK dealer with original assay packaging intact, this is rarely an issue. Loose secondary-market coins occasionally are.
East Asian 24ct gift jewellery
Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai gift jewellery (pigs, dragons, the zodiac, the character "fu") is often 24ct because gifting high-purity gold is traditional. We XRF-test and pay on metal content, not on the decorative form. If a piece has a known maker (Chow Tai Fook, Chow Sang Sang) and resale value, we flag the intact route before testing for melt.
When a 24ct piece pays more intact
Sovereigns in mint condition with a strong year, proof Britannias in original Royal Mint capsules, and pre-1933 US gold coins frequently pay more as coins than as metal. We highlight these on the written offer. If you have a single high-value coin or a small collection, the postal-gold service handles both intact and scrap valuations on the same parcel.
Common questions
Do you buy gold bars in any size?
Yes, from 1g cards through to 1oz and 100g bars. For 1kg bars message first so we can plan cover and collection.
Is the assay card important?
Yes for recognised brands. An intact PAMP, Umicore or Metalor card adds a small premium because the bar is verified without destructive testing.
What if my coin is graded (PCGS, NGC)?
Graded coins often pay more than melt value. Send the slab intact and we quote at the grade.
How is my parcel insured?
Your parcel is insured up to £2,500 via Royal Mail Special Delivery. Larger consignments are split across multiple labels.
How quickly do I get paid?
Same UK working day you accept the written offer, by bank transfer.
What about VAT on investment gold?
Investment gold (recognised bullion bars and coins of at least 995 purity) is exempt from VAT in the UK. Jewellery is not exempt but is still bought on metal weight.
Will you melt a coin?
Only with your written permission. Intact coins are paid as coins where the format value exceeds melt.
Do you handle estate bullion parcels?
Yes. Mixed parcels of coins, bars and jewellery from an estate are itemised on a single written offer.