Ask first, post later
Start with a question, not a parcel. Send a photo on WhatsApp or call, and you will get a straight answer on what testing tier suits your item and what the report will cover. None of it commits you to posting anything.
This is a UK-wide postal testing service. There is no shop to visit and no counter. Wherever you live, the process is the same: ask first, then decide.
On what XRF is
X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is the standard non-destructive method for reading the elemental composition of metal. A handheld analyser sends a low-energy X-ray at the item; the atoms in the alloy re-emit X-rays at characteristic energies; the detector reads the energies and turns them into a parts-per-thousand breakdown of every metal present.
It is the same method UK Assay Offices, refineries, pawnbrokers, auction houses and luxury watch authentication services use, and it is what the report on every pack on this site is built around.
The process, step by step
- Start with a photo. A clear WhatsApp photo of the item is enough for us to tell you which pack fits, what the report will show, and what the price will be.
- Pay and get your label. Once you order, a free Royal Mail Special Delivery label and a QR code for the counter are emailed straight back.
- Send it in your own time. Use any padded envelope. The label stays valid until used. There is no time pressure on you.
- Tested by handheld XRF. Each item is scanned at multiple points with a Thermo Scientific Niton XL2 precious-metal analyser. The full elemental table goes into the report.
- Report inside 24 to 48 hours. A written PDF report arrives by email, and your item is dispatched back on the same day, fully insured.
How items travel
Your parcel is insured up to £2,500 via Royal Mail Special Delivery. For higher cover we can arrange a tracked courier before you post, with the cover level agreed in writing first.
Special Delivery is signed for at every handover. We send a confirmation by WhatsApp when the parcel reaches us, and the same again on the return leg once the report has been issued.
What you get back, and when
Your item is returned by Royal Mail Special Delivery on the same working day the report is issued. Return postage and insurance are included in the testing fee — there is no separate return charge.
If, for any reason, an item cannot be tested (badly damaged surface, non-metallic core, equipment misalignment), we tell you straight, refund the testing fee, and return the item the same day.
Testing is testing
Plenty of gold buyers will offer a "free test" if you send your item in. That is a sales tool, not an independent service. This page is the other way round: you pay for the test and the report stands on its own. Whether you sell anything afterwards is a separate decision, and one we do not get involved in unless you ask.
The full reasoning is on the dedicated independence pledge page.
What this report is, and what it is not
The report identifies the elemental composition of an item to the accuracy of the analyser. It does not replace a UK hallmark, an Assay Office fire assay, or a written valuation from a qualified valuer for insurance reinstatement purposes. We say so in plain English on the front page of every report.
If a report leaves any doubt, we will tell you what the next step would be — typically a UK Assay Office fire assay (destructive but definitive) for high-value disputes, or a written insurance valuation from a qualified independent valuer for reinstatement cover.
The proof, not the promise
Anyone can say "best price". GoldPaid does not. Instead the process is laid bare: a measured XRF assay, calibrated weighing, the live market rate, and a written breakdown you read at home before you commit to anything. The reassurance here is structural, built into how the service works, rather than asserted in a slogan.
Common questions
How accurate is XRF?
The Niton XL2 measures gold content to ±0.1% across the working range. For disputed readings, a UK Assay Office fire assay is the destructive but definitive reference test and the report identifies which Assay Office is appropriate.
Can XRF tell if my gold is plated?
Yes — the multi-point scan SOP picks up the disagreement between the face reading and the edge reading. Plated items are flagged in the report.
Will XRF damage my item?
No. It is non-destructive. No filing, no acid, no scratching.
Why is my actual reading sometimes higher than the hallmark?
Because a hallmark guarantees a legal minimum standard and rounds the actual content down. A 9ct hallmark on a piece reading 390 ppt is consistent with the hallmark (which guarantees 375 ppt) and the XRF reading shows that the actual content exceeds the minimum.
Why is the reading sometimes lower than the hallmark?
Worn solder joints, replaced parts, repaired sections, or non-standard alloys can pull the average down below the hallmarked standard. A multi-point scan trace usually identifies the cause.
Will the report tell me what my item is worth?
It will tell you the indicative scrap-equivalent value at the live gold spot price on the test date, clearly labelled as not an offer. For replacement (insurance) value, the Insurance Valuation Add-on at +£25 per item gives you a reinstatement-value figure.
How long does the test take?
24 to 48 hours for consumer single-item, family and estate packs from receipt to report. 48 to 72 hours for the probate pack. 24 hours for the plating check. Trade SLA is 48 hours, on-call pawnbroker tier is 4-hour photo-first.
How safe is it to post valuables?
Your parcel is insured up to £2,500 via Royal Mail Special Delivery. For higher cover we can arrange a tracked courier before you post, with the cover level agreed in writing first.
What if my item is damaged in transit?
Royal Mail Special Delivery cover is the route for the claim, and we help you with the paperwork. Tracking and the item photo on receipt with us provide the evidence chain.
Do I have to sell my item to GoldPaid?
No. Testing is a paid-for service that stands on its own. The independence pledge is named openly on every page.
What if I do want a no-obligation offer afterwards?
Ask. The team will give you a written quick indicative figure for the same item, separately from the test report.
What about diamonds and coloured stones?
XRF reads metal only. For diamonds and stones, the in-house gem service runs alongside — gem triage at £40, diamond grading at £85. We are not UKAS-accredited on the gem side; AnchorCert Gem Lab is the escalation route when a UKAS-accredited record is specifically required.
Can I see a sample report?
Yes — see the sample report page for an anonymised single-item report in full, with a link to a sample probate report.
Is the report court-admissible?
The report is professional evidence and is regularly used in probate, insurance and dispute matters. Court admissibility depends on the specific proceeding; for contested high-value matters, the route to a definitive answer is a UK Assay Office fire assay and the report identifies that path.
How is my data handled?
Item photos and report data are retained for five years to align with HMRC and AML record-keeping. You can request deletion outside the five-year window. Full policy on the privacy page.
How does GoldPaid handle AML?
GoldPaid is registered with HMRC for Money Laundering Regulations for the buying side of the business. Testing-only jobs do not trigger High Value Dealer obligations because no goods change hands. For items individually valued over £1,500, photo ID of the customer is captured to support lawful asset-triage in the unlikely event a SAR is required.
Can the report be issued in a different language?
The report is issued in English. A translated cover note can be added on request — ask first.
Can I get a paper copy?
Yes, +£8 for printing and dispatch. Most customers prefer the PDF; it is the same content.
What if I want to escalate to a UK Assay Office?
The report identifies the appropriate Assay Office and the current charge for a fire assay. We can also handle the onward submission on your behalf for a small handling fee — ask at the point of the report.