Have you ever looked at an old ring, a broken chain, or a single earring in your drawer and wondered, "What is this actually worth?" Selling gold can feel mysterious, but for a professional gold buyer, it's a day-to-day process of science, technology, and transparency. We followed a jewellery expert on the Gold Coast to see exactly how they value your items; from the moment you walk in the door to the final offer.
The Morning Market Check
The day for a valuer begins before the first customer arrives. It starts with data. Gold is a global commodity, and its price changes every minute. The first task is to check the live international market prices for pure gold (24-karat). This market price is the baseline for all calculations throughout the day. When the doors open, the expert is ready. As trusted Jewellery Buyers Gold Coast locals rely on, their main goal is to educate the customer, ensuring the process is clear from start to finish. When a customer brings in an item, the first step is a simple visual inspection with a jeweller's loupe (a small, powerful magnifying glass) to look for hallmarks or stamps, such as "9k," "18k," or "750," which indicate the item's purity.
The Science of Sorting and Testing
After the initial inspection, it's time for the science. This is where the expert's skill truly shines. For most items, they use a state-of-the-art XRF (X-ray fluorescence) scanner. This high-tech machine safely analyzes the metal composition of the piece in seconds without causing any damage, showing the exact percentage of gold and other alloys. This is far more accurate than older acid tests. This deep understanding of metal composition is the same expertise needed for high-quality Jewellery Repairs Gold Coast services, as a repairer must know the exact materials they are working with. If an item is identified as a valuable antique or designer piece, the expert will advise the customer that it may be worth more for its craftsmanship than just its scrap metal weight.
Weighing and the Final Offer
Once the purity is confirmed (e.g., 9-karat is 37.5% pure gold), the item is weighed on highly accurate, government-certified digital scales. This is always done right in front of the customer. The final step is transparent mathematics. The valuer takes the item's weight, multiplies it by its purity percentage, and then calculates its value based on the day's live market price for gold. This calculation is explained clearly, so the customer understands exactly how the offer was determined. There are no hidden fees or confusing jargon—just a straightforward offer based on purity, weight, and market value.
Conclusion
A day in the life of a gold valuer is a mix of being a market analyst, a scientist, and a transparent educator. Their job is to demystify the process and ensure every customer feels confident and fairly treated. If you have old or unwanted gold, you don't have to guess its value. For a clear, professional, and honest valuation, you can trust the expert team at Loan Lenders to guide you every step of the way.