Published 2 June 2026
What 9ct gold actually is
9ct gold is 37.5% pure gold by weight, mixed with copper, silver and sometimes zinc. The remaining 62.5% is alloy that gives the metal its strength and colour, which is why a 9ct ring can outlast a higher-karat one in daily wear. The hallmark is usually 375.
Most British jewellery sold between the 1970s and today is 9ct. Wedding bands, signet rings, curb chains, charm bracelets and christening bracelets are commonly 9ct because it is harder and cheaper than 18ct. Older Victorian and Edwardian pieces tend to be 15ct or 18ct, so a faded mark is worth checking before assuming karat.
A 9ct piece will always be worth less per gram than 18ct or 22ct, because there is less gold in it. The price you receive is driven by the metal you actually own, not the size of the item.
How a 9ct postal offer is calculated
There is no fixed "scrap price per gram". Every offer is built from the live precious-metal market on the day, multiplied by the verified purity (around 0.375 for 9ct), multiplied by the weight in grams, with a small refining cost subtracted. We use a calibrated XRF analyser to confirm purity rather than guessing from a hallmark, because plated and filled items often carry a 375 stamp on the clasp only.
If a piece has a steel spring, a stone, a hollow core or a base-metal clasp, those parts are deducted from the gold weight. You see the deduction itemised in the written offer.
What XRF testing catches on 9ct
XRF (X-ray fluorescence) reads the actual metal composition of the surface and just below it. On a 9ct piece we are looking at three things. First, that the marked purity matches the metal. Second, that the inside of a hollow piece is not a different alloy. Third, that "rolled gold" or "gold-filled" items are not being mis-sold as solid.
Common misreads we have seen include 9ct-stamped curb chains where the clasp is solid 9ct but the links are gold-plated copper. XRF picks up the difference within seconds and we report each piece separately rather than averaging the parcel.
Items you can post in safely
- Take clear daylight photos of each piece and any hallmarks.
- WhatsApp the photos to 07763 741067 with a short note (for example, "two 9ct chains and a signet ring").
- We confirm the prepaid Royal Mail Special Delivery label and email it during 8am to 9pm.
- Print, wrap in bubble wrap or a small jiffy bag, drop into any Post Office over the counter.
- When the parcel lands with us, we weigh, XRF-test and write a per-item offer.
- Accept by reply, we pay by bank transfer the same working day. Decline, we return tracked and free.
Most readers send a mix: a broken curb chain, one or two unworn rings, an old charm bracelet, an odd earring without its pair. There is no minimum value to use the postal-gold service.
Why karat alone does not set your offer
Two parcels can both be "9ct" and pay very differently. A solid 9ct curb chain at 24g is mostly gold weight. A 9ct charm bracelet at 24g may carry six soldered charms with steel jump rings, a heavy base-metal clasp and two glass beads. The verified gold weight, not the total weight on the scale, drives the price.
Condition matters less than people fear. Snapped clasps, missing stones, kinked links and tarnish do not lower a scrap offer, because the piece is being valued as metal. The only time we ask before testing is when a piece may have antique or maker value (for example, a hallmarked Victorian locket), where a melt offer would undersell it.
If you change your mind
The written offer is a quote, not a contract. If the number is lower than you hoped, reply "return" and we post the parcel back to you tracked, insured up to £2,500, at our cost. No pressure call, no follow-up email chain. The whole point of buying by post is that you keep control of the decision.
Common questions
Is 9ct gold really worth selling?
Yes. Even at 37.5% purity, a small parcel of unworn 9ct chains and rings often pays a useful sum once weighed and tested. The only way to know your exact figure is the written offer after XRF.
Do I need the original receipt or box?
No. We value the metal, not the paperwork. Receipts help only if a piece is antique or branded and might pay more intact than melted.
What if my 9ct ring has a stone in it?
We remove and return the stone, or include it in the offer if you prefer. The stone is not paid as gold weight unless it is a recognised gemstone with its own value, which we flag separately.
Can I send photos before posting?
Always. WhatsApp 07763 741067 first. We will tell you honestly if it is worth the postage, and we will say so if a piece is gold-plated or rolled gold rather than solid 9ct.
How is the parcel covered?
Your parcel is insured up to £2,500 via Royal Mail Special Delivery. The prepaid label we email you carries the cover automatically.
When do I get paid?
Same working day you accept the written offer, by UK bank transfer. Most sellers see the money within a few hours of replying "accept".
What if I decline the offer?
We return the parcel tracked, insured and free. There is no fee and no requirement to explain.
Do you handle high-volume parcels?
Yes. Estate clearances, deceased-estate jewellery and dealer parcels are routine. For larger lots, message first so we can split the cover across more than one parcel if needed.