Published 2 June 2026
What a mixed lot usually contains
A typical mixed estate or drawer-clearance parcel contains: a few rings (some 9ct, some 18ct, possibly one 22ct band), broken chains (curb, rope, Belcher), single earrings without backs, a charm bracelet, one or two pendants, a sovereign and a couple of unidentifiable pieces that "look gold but might not be". Most also contain a few silver pieces and one or two costume items that are gold-plated.
Sorting is part of the service. You do not need to identify or separate anything before posting.
How XRF sorts a mixed parcel
Each piece is laid out, photographed and XRF-tested. The reading gives us the verified purity (375 for 9ct, 750 for 18ct, 916 for 22ct, 999 for 24ct, 925 for sterling silver). Pieces that read below 375 in gold are either plated or below the threshold to pay as gold. We report them separately so you can see what was tested as what.
Silver pieces (sterling 925, Britannia 958) are also valued and offered separately if you want to sell them. Costume and plated pieces are returned at our cost if you would rather keep them.
The written offer format for mixed lots
For mixed parcels, the written offer typically looks like a table: piece description, weight, tested purity, deductions (stones, clasps, non-gold parts), gold weight, offer amount. Each piece is on its own line. There is no averaging.
You can accept any combination, in any order. "Sell rings 1 and 3, return ring 2, sell all the chains, return the brooch" is a normal acceptance reply. Bank transfer covers everything you accept on the same working day.
How to post a mixed lot safely
- Empty everything into one tray and photograph the whole parcel in daylight.
- WhatsApp 07763 741067 with the overview photo and an estimate of how many pieces.
- We confirm the prepaid Royal Mail Special Delivery label sized to the parcel.
- Place chains in their own bags so they do not tangle further.
- Pad the parcel well and drop at the Post Office counter.
- On arrival we lay everything out, photograph again, sort, test and weigh.
For mixed lots above the £2,500 cover threshold, message first and we will split the consignment over more than one prepaid label. The postal-gold service handles multi-parcel sends as one offer.
Estate and executor parcels
For deceased-estate parcels, the written offer is itemised so the executor has a clear record for probate. We can also email a PDF summary on request. Standard anti-money-laundering checks may apply on higher-value estate parcels, but the process is the same: photo, label, test, written offer, accept or decline.
For dealer parcels (jewellers and antique dealers clearing trade stock), itemisation is by piece, by karat and by tested weight. Trade-volume sellers can be set up with a recurring label arrangement on request.
Items often mistaken for gold in mixed lots
Common false-positives we see: 9ct-stamped curb chains where the body is gold-plated copper, 18ct-stamped rope where only the clasp is solid gold, "yellow metal" Victorian pieces that turn out to be pinchbeck or rolled gold, and silver chains tarnished dark enough to look like gold under a drawer lamp. None of these lower your offer because we test each piece. You are not paid less because other pieces in the parcel were plated.
Common questions
Do I need to sort the parcel by karat before sending?
No. Sorting is part of the service. Send it mixed.
What if some pieces are silver, not gold?
We test and offer silver separately. You can accept silver, gold or both.
How is the parcel insured?
Your parcel is insured up to £2,500 via Royal Mail Special Delivery. Larger lots are split across multiple labels.
Will plated pieces be sent back?
Yes, at our cost, unless you tell us to dispose of them.
When am I paid?
Same UK working day you accept the written offer, by bank transfer. You pay only for what you accept.
Can I get a written summary for probate?
Yes. We email a PDF itemised list on request, useful for executor records.
What if I find more gold after sending the first parcel?
Send a second parcel using the same WhatsApp number. We can combine offers or treat them separately, your choice.
Do you handle large dealer parcels?
Yes. Message first so we can plan cover and arrange the workflow.