Beyond what color you prefer, what are the differences between white gold, yellow gold and rose gold? If you are looking for gold jewelry is one better to buy or sell than another? Generally speaking prices between the three are very similar however since their compositions differ there are small differences in how they are maintained and used. Yellow gold Yellow gold is the purest color of the three and historically has been more popular in wedding and engagement bands. Yellow gold is made from a composite of metals such as copper and zinc. Yellow gold can be subject to dents and scratches. This can be more problematic with higher grade yellow gold since gold is a soft metal. Benefits: Easier to maintain, matches well with diamonds, complements olive and darker skin best. White gold White gold is often greater in demand then yellow gold. It is a popular alternative to palladium – which is more expensive. To the human eye it can be very difficult to distinguish the difference between white gold and palladium. White gold is made by mixing pure gold with white metals, nickel, silver and/or palladium. White gold tends to have better durability because of these metals, however it needs dipping every few years to retain its optimal color. Benefits: More durable than yellow gold, more scratch resistant. Some people believe that white gold complements diamonds better than yellow gold. Complements fair skin best. White gold vs yellow gold pricing Generally the prices of white and yellow gold are similar. What should matter most to people is the color preference. Rose gold Rose gold is a common choice for both men and women. It complements all skin tones and may be seen as a more romantic color thanks to its pinkish color. Like white gold, rose gold is an alloy so it is never 100% pure; it is made by combining gold with copper and silver. The copper and silver contribute to the distinct rose color, while the copper brings the price down and adds durability thanks to its strength. Rose gold is generally considered to be affordable, but strangely it is not always seen as often as yellow or white gold. One downside to rose gold is that it can cause allergic reactions in some people. Benefits: More durable than yellow and white gold, affordable, looks good in vintage settings. White gold vs rose gold value Not all jewelry items are created equal, since different manufacturers use different quantities of various metals. Technically you can argue that since white gold mixes palladium which is worth more than copper, then white gold is more valuable than rose gold. This can vary however based on a wide range of factors such as the overall appeal of a jewelry item, or whether it’s being sold for its scrap value. Meriden Pawn buys and sells yellow gold, white gold and rose gold of all purities. Visit our shop for your no obligation valuation.
Why we Don’t Provide Gold Loans
Some pawnbrokers offer pawn loans where gold is the collateral. Unfortunately at Meriden Pawn we are unable to offer any pawn loan in exchange for gold. This is due to state regulation and to help prevent money laundering. We do provide pawn loans for other items if you are looking for cash now, such as laptops, watches, smartphones and contractor grade power tools. Visit our shop in Meriden and you could be walking away with cash the same day. You can of course still sell your gold containing items to us, but you will not be eligible to retrieve them again as you would with a pawn loan.
Is it Better to Scrap or Sell Gold at a CT Pawn Shop?
There are compelling reasons on either to scrap or sell gold in CT If you’re looking to get some extra funds for Christmas, a vacation, or other reason, selling gold may an answer for you. If cash for your gold is what you want, you might head down to your local pawnbroker. It’s a quick, easy and convenient way to get some extra funds. You may have noticed that gold is at a favorable rate right now, which may post the question: What’s better, the value of the gold or the value of the item? Most of the time you will get more money selling the item, such as a ring, necklace or other piece of jewelry. But sometimes it’s worth more as scrap gold. When scrapping gold, the item is melted down and sold on the gold market. How to decide between scrap or sell gold in CT? If you simply ask a buyer they should be able to tell you what they will offer you for your piece. Not all gold buyers deal in scrap gold however, so it is worth finding that out first. You can also ask around to find out what other buyers offer for both the whole item and the scrap value. The key is to get a reliable appraisal so you can compare a intact item against its scrap value. Quick research at home You can perform a quick check of the scrap value at home with some weighing scales. Enter the weight into an online calculator, input the karat value and you will get an estimated value. Be aware that pawnshops are in business to make a profit and will offer anywhere from 40-70% of the scrap value. Use a calculator such as Gold Calc or Melt Value. These base their valuations on the current market rate. So in general most of the time you’re best selling the gold containing item as a whole, but it’s worth considering the scrap value can sometimes be more. Have more questions about the value of your gold? Check our FAQ page for answers or give us a call
Are Tools From a Pawnshop Worth Buying?
Buying Expensive tools at a pawn shop can save your plenty of cash If you’re a Do it Yourself type of person and like fixing up your own, home, you will want to build up a nice collection of tools. A worthwhile tool collection for DIY home projects can get expensive at times. When you don’t use the tools that often it can get even more expensive. Buying a tool on a one-off project may be necessary but also costly. Is there a way to reduce the cost of the tools that you’re not likely to use very often? If you don’t want to spend too much money on a new drill, circular saw etc.. you can save a lot by going to your local pawnshop. Do pawnshops sell power tools? Hand tools for construction are often some of the most commonly sold items after jewelry and game consoles. They hold their value well so owners are happy to sell them., That said, a previously owned tool can be a lot less expensive that a tool that is new. Are secondhand tools any good? Power tools are sturdy and robust. They need to be for certain types of construction work. Good brands are designed to last for many years. If you buy a tool second-hand you can likely get a few years use out of it. If you don’t use it often and maintain it properly, it could last even longer. When you need a tool for a particular job, buying one from a pawnshop could even be cheaper. When you are finished with the job, you have the option of keeping it or selling it yourself. How to inspect a tool in a pawnshop Check for cleanliness – Inspect moving parts for dirt and grime that could affect movement. Try it out – Don’t be afraid to ask to plug it in or run it off the battery if applicable. Check the cables – Check any cables for fraying or parts that are held together by electrical tape. Do your research before buying your tool It’s always a good practice to do a little due diligence and learn about the tool you are thinking of buying. It is good to know about a model before you buy it; how long can you expect it to last, how reliable is it etc..? Be prepared with some information before you go., Consumer Affairs is a good place to start.
Guide to Selling Tools to a Pawnshop
Pawning old tools has its benefits No longer have use for one of your old tools? Wondering if the tools you have could fetch a fair price by selling it at your local pawnshop. Good tools hold their value well and usually sell for more in pawn shops than online and certainly more than a garage sale. Secondhand tools from top brands are known to last for several years without problems and can still provide years of good use. Savvy buyers know this which is why we often buy and sell power tools here at Meriden Pawn. In fact, power tools such as drills and circular saws are often among the most sold items in pawnshops and many just like Meriden Pawn buy and sell them. New tools can be expensive, so if a used one can still be effective you can see why there’s a big market for cheaper, second-hand tools. How much could you get? How much a used tool can sell for depends on the brand, condition, demand and the time of year; for instance in the spring and summer tools will be easier to sell and in greater demand. Pawnshops might pay anywhere from $30-$200 for working power tools. Top brands such as Bosch, DeWalt and Stihl are likely to sell for more. Pawnshops are more likely to take established brand names. They may accept lesser known brands if they are shown to work, but you may have a harder time selling those. Increase the value It’s a good idea to give your tool a good cleaning before handing it to the pawn shop. They may pay less if they have to take the time to clean it themselves. Cleaning it yourself improves the perception of value and will increase the sales price accordingly. This is true for any buyer too; if it’s clean they may pay more and so the pawnbroker might give you more for it. Try to keep the tool in it’s original packaging. Of course the box or manual is not required for it to function but a more complete package will be easier to sell and warrant a higher price. Sometimes tool parts go missing, people know this and although you may lose some value, it might not stop you selling it. Make sure to include any adaptors, drill bits and carry cases if you still have them. Charge it up Before you take your tool to the pawnshop make sure to charge the battery fully! If you take the tool to the shop and it doesn’t run, you can’t expect the shop assistant to know whether it works or not, so that may limit your chances of a sale, and waste your time. To get a price for your second-hand tool, visit our Meriden Pawn Shop on 273 W Main St, Meriden, CT 06451.
How to Sell Pure Gold in CT
Pure gold is a special thing; it has fascinated people for thousands of years, and will continue to do so for thousands more. Part of the fascination is due to it’s rarity. But pure gold, while rare to your average person, is not rare to the average buyer. You should have no trouble selling your 24k gold, but you certainly shouldn’t rush it. Staying safe when selling pure gold Pure gold, also known as 24k (karat) demands greater value than lower purities and therefore should be traded carefully and never rushed. Gold prices are historically stable, so if you see a good price today you don’t need to rush out and sell right away. Take your time and make sure you get the best price, and most importantly stay safe. Don’t be afraid to take your jewelry item to several gold dealers, pawnshops and jewelers. If you are looking to sell gold coins, you should look for a dedicated gold dealer as many other types of shop do not buy them. Do your research, only go to shops you know are trusted, check their online reviews before you go. Ensure the right procedures All gold selling in CT must be documented and some form of license provided by the seller. This is not exclusive to 24k gold, but all gold. If the buyer does not ask for identification or record the transaction, go someplace else. How to test for pure gold Don’t bite it! While old Hollywood movies might glamorize this, there’s nothing glamorous about damaging your teeth due to biting into a piece of metal! In pawnshops, the common test for lower purities of gold is the acid test. It can sound scary to gold sellers, but don’t worry, there’s no acid test for 24k gold. A pawnshop owner may ask for proof of purchase, or send the item for XRF testing (X-ray fluorescence) which is a non-destructive, reliable method of testing real gold. It’s rare for CT pawnshops to have this type of equipment as these machines are very expensive. Meriden Pawn does not carry an XRF machine.
Can you Pawn 9K Gold in the USA?
The answer is yes. You can pawn 9K gold in the United States Do you have 9k gold to sell or pawn? Are you wondering if your local pawnbroker will take it? In short, yes you can sell and pawn 9k gold legally in the USA. Before July 2018, the minimum fineness of gold that could be sold in the US was 10k. On July 24, 2018 the FTC revised their rules allowing gold above or below 10 karats to be sold so long as the correct fineness is displayed. It means the US is now inline with the UK, France, Ireland, Italy and Portugal where the lowest was already 9k. What is 9 carat gold Caratage’ is the measurement of purity of gold.. Pure gold is valued at 24 carats. An 18 carat gold bracelet is 75% gold and 25% other metals. Most often, the other metals are copper or silver. As an example, a 9 carat yellow gold bracelet is 37.5% gold, 42.5% silver and 20% copper. 9 carat gold is often referred to as European gold where it’s more popular. In the US the most popular purity is 14k. 9 carat gold in percentage terms amounts to 37.5% pure gold or 9/24 parts gold. Do pawnbrokers buy it? Yes, pawnbrokers in the US can and do buy 9 karat gold, they can sell it on too. At Meriden Pawn we do buy 9k gold items. Prices for gold generally depend on the carats, the weight and the market price at the time of sale. Market prices fluctuate all the time. Benefits of 9k gold Gold is known as a soft metal, the purer it is, the softer it becomes. As 9k gold is made up of 62.5% other metals it is technically stronger but may tarnish more due to a higher copper content. Compared to higher standards of gold, you may notice an 9K piece of jewelry is less resistant to knocks and scratches on a microscopic scale.
How do Pawnshops Test Gold?
It’s not possible to determine the quality of gold from a visual inspection alone, and hallmarks aren’t a cast-iron guarantee either. Because of this, most pawnshops may wish to test your gold jewelry. It is highly likely they will use the acid test. This is the same test we use when buying gold here at Meriden Pawn. The acid test (also known as the touchstone test) is the standard for almost all pawnshops and jewelers in the US, it is second to XRF testing (X-Ray Fluorescence testing) which is far more specialist and expensive. XRF machines can cost $20,000 or more, so you can understand why it’s not all too common. How does the acid test work? There are a range of acids that can help you to determine the purity of gold in your jewelry item. The purer the gold, the stronger the acid needed to dissolve it. These tests use various strengths of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid. Nitric acid will have no affect on pure-gold, but it will easily distinguish it from fake gold. First the item is rubbed on a black testing stone. The gold mark that remains is what is then tested with the acid. A reaction to an acid shows that the gold has lower purity A slight reaction suggests a karat match No reaction suggests a higher purity Acid testing can be used to test 10k, 14k, 18k and 22k gold. Acid testing should always use an inconspicuous area of the jewelry item. If you want to sell your gold for aesthetic value the acid test may not be ideal as it can cause scratching/damage. It’s a relatively quick and inexpensive way for a buyer to test your gold jewelry. Acid testing safety Acid testing is safe enough to perform at home, but anyone doing it should definitely use gloves, goggles and take precautions. These acids can cause skin burns and should be handled and stored safely and securely. You’re in control If a pawnshop wants to test your gold, the decision should always be yours. If you don’t feel comfortable with it then that’s totally up to you.
Can You Pawn 10k Gold?
Of the common purities of gold, 10k (karat) is the lowest; this means that it has the least amount of pure gold in it, the rest is made up of other metals. 10k gold in percentage terms amounts to 41.7% pure gold. It also stands for 10 parts out of 24 gold. You might hear that 10 karat gold is the lowest purity. This isn’t strictly true, in fact gold jewelry can be found in 9k, 8k, and even lower. When you consider this, 10k gold certainly isn’t worthless, and is still of interest to pawn shops. In fact 10k gold is one of the most common purity options in the US, among 14k and 18k. Most pawn shops, Meriden Pawn included, buy 10k gold jewelry. In fact at Meriden Pawn we buy all common purities of gold, more info here. 10k gold has it’s advantages Jewelry with this percentage of gold is advantageous for its durability; it’s more difficult to scratch, bend or scuff up. Why? Pure gold is a soft metal, the more metal alloy involved, the more strength is offered from other metals that make up the item. So 10k gold can be of interest to people who want jewelry that’s going to stand up to more bumps and scrapes. How much can you get for 10k gold? This varies significantly on many factors, the worldwide gold market, the pawnbroker and the condition/amount of gold you have. The best way to answer this is to get an appraisal from a local gold buyer.
5 DIY Ways to Test if You Have Real Gold
Gold is one of the most counter-fitted products in the world. It doesn’t help that gold containing products come in a wide variety of forms. Pure gold (24 karat), gold alloy (less than 24 karat), solid gold, gold plated, white gold, rose gold. To the untrained eye, knowing what’s real, and what’s not can be confusing. When you want to sell gold, knowing what you’ve got, and more importantly, whether its worth selling, can be very tricky. What might appear to be real gold, could infact be a very low quality alloy, or even not gold at all. How to test for real gold Check for hallmarks Letter and number markings are an easy way to quickly determine the purity of gold and application. For instance: GP – Gold plated GF – Gold filled (minimum purity of 10k) GEP – Gold electroplate You may also see numbers indicating the purity of the gold: 375 = 9K 417 = 10K 585 = 14K 750 = 18K 916 = 22K 999 = 24K Check for wear Gold is a soft metal. When items are gold plated, the thin later of gold can wear over time leaving small discolorations where the metal underneath snows. The best place to check is around the edges of your jewelry or coins as this is often where the most skin contact is. This may not be immediately obvious, so check carefully. Magnet test The magnet test can only be used to prove you have real gold. Since pure gold is not magnetic, an attraction would indicate either gold plating, a lower purity or that the gold is fake. The magnet test is only a rough guide, it will tell you if you have 24k gold, but won’t definitively tell you anything else. A strong magnet from a hardware store is best when performing this test (not one you’d stick on your refrigerator). Float test Pure gold is dense and therefore does not float. If you place gold in a container of water and it floats, it’s probably fake. Acid test This test is one of the most reliable, but also one of the most complicated and risky if you are not sure what you are doing. Pure gold is resistant to corrosion so by subjecting it to acid such as white vinegar will prove whether its pure or not. If your gold items are not pure, dropping acid on them can be risky and cause irreversible damage. If you wish to test for a purity below 24k, purchase a specialist acid testing kit for 10k, 18k or 22k; this will ensure that you can test for lower quality gold without problems. Of course if you are not sure, it’s always best to have your gold professionally appraised by an expert.
