Published 2 June 2026
Pendant types and what we test
Most pendant parcels are a mix: religious medals (crosses, St Christopher, Madonnas, om, allah), sovereign and half-sovereign mounts, lockets (covered separately in our lockets guide), heart pendants, single charms detached from a bracelet, name plates, zodiac discs and small enamelled pieces from the 1970s and 1980s.
Each one is XRF-tested and weighed separately, then offered on its own line. There is no averaging across the parcel.
The hidden-hallmark problem
Pendant hallmarks are often hidden behind the bail (the loop the chain runs through). Sellers sometimes assume their pendant is unmarked because they cannot find a 375 or 750 stamp. XRF reads the metal regardless of whether we can find the mark, so the offer is based on the actual gold content.
If there is a maker mark behind the bail and it points to a recognised goldsmith, we tell you. Some named-maker pendants pay more intact than melted.
Stones in pendants
Single-stone pendants (drop diamonds, sapphire halos, ruby clusters) can be quoted intact and as scrap on the same written offer. Diamonds above roughly 0.3ct with reasonable colour are flagged. Paste, glass and cubic zirconia are removed and discarded with permission.
Birthstone pendants from costume ranges are usually base metal with a thin gold flash. XRF identifies these and there is no charge for testing.
Sovereign and half-sovereign mounts
Sovereigns set into 9ct or 18ct mounts are common in British estates. The mount is 9ct or 18ct gold and pays at that purity. The sovereign itself is 22ct and, in mint to good condition, often pays more as a coin than as scrap. We quote the mount and the coin separately on the written offer.
If the sovereign is intact and you want to keep the coin (or sell the coin but melt the mount), say so on WhatsApp. We split the parcel on the written offer.
How to post pendants safely
- Detach each pendant from its chain if you want to keep the chain (or send both).
- Photograph each pendant front and back, plus close-ups of the bail.
- WhatsApp 07763 741067 with the photos.
- We email a prepaid Royal Mail Special Delivery label.
- Place each pendant in its own zip-bag and pad the box.
- Drop at the Post Office counter and wait for our text on arrival.
A single small pendant is a valid parcel on the postal-gold service.
Enamel, paste and the non-gold trap
Enamelled pendants (Victorian mourning lockets, 1970s flower pendants, name plates) have a gold body with enamel on the surface. The enamel is not paid as gold. The gold body is. We weigh the piece, deduct an estimate for the enamel, and report the gold weight.
For pieces with significant enamel value (named maker, designer signed), we flag intact-resale potential before melting.
Common questions
My pendant has no visible hallmark. Is it gold?
XRF will tell us either way. Many real gold pendants have the hallmark hidden behind the bail or worn smooth.
Will you scrap my christening disc?
Only with your written acceptance. We can detach and return any sentimental pendant if you would rather sell the chain only.
How is the sovereign valued?
Intact sovereigns are quoted by year, condition and live coin market. Worn sovereigns are quoted by gold content.
What about a religious medal with the chain still attached?
We test the medal and chain separately and offer each on its own line.
How is the parcel insured?
Your parcel is insured up to £2,500 via Royal Mail Special Delivery.
When am I paid?
Same UK working day you accept the written offer, by bank transfer.
Will you buy a single small charm?
Yes. Single charms are a normal parcel. The prepaid label is the same regardless of size.
What if the bail is bent or broken?
A broken bail does not lower a scrap offer. The metal still pays.