Gold Doesn't Wear Out: Why Recycled Gold Jewellery Is Just as Valuable as New

There's an old idea that second-hand gold must be worth less than new. It isn't. Gold doesn't tarnish, rust or wear out, which makes it one of the few things in your home that can be reused again and again without losing anything. Here's why old jewellery is just as valuable as the day it was made.

Does gold really last forever?

Pretty much, yes. Gold is one of the most stable metals there is. It doesn't rust, it doesn't corrode, and it doesn't fade. A chain that's been shut in a drawer for twenty years is made of exactly the same gold it was on day one. Scratches and dents are only on the surface, and they don't change what the metal is worth.

That's why you'll hear that much of the gold in circulation today has been used before. Coins, rings and chains get melted down and made into something new, and the gold in them carries on as if nothing happened.

So what is recycled gold?

Recycled gold is simply gold that's been used before and then reused. An old ring, a broken bracelet or a single earring with no partner can all be melted down and turned into something fresh. The gold itself is identical to newly mined gold. The only difference is where it came from.

That's a big deal for the environment. Mining new gold means digging up huge amounts of earth, using plenty of energy and water, and shipping the result around the world. Reusing gold that already exists skips almost all of that. Every piece that gets a second life is a little less digging somewhere else.

Does old or damaged jewellery lose its value?

Not for the gold in it. What counts is how much gold there is and how pure it is, not whether the piece is in fashion or in perfect shape. A bent chain, a snapped clasp or a ring that doesn't fit anymore still holds the same amount of gold. Broken items are always welcome with us.

Stones are a slightly different story. For stone-set pieces we value the metal, so a lovely old ring with a stone may be worth more to you as a piece to keep or pass on. We're always happy to talk it through with you in store.

How do we know what your gold is?

We test gold with XRF, which is an X-ray method. It tells us exactly what your piece is made of, quickly and accurately, and it doesn't damage anything. There's no scratching and no acid, so your jewellery comes out of the test exactly as it went in. Gold and silver are priced by the gram against live prices, which you can see on our website and on the screens in our shops.

We do everything face to face, so you can see the test and ask us anything as we go. We never give valuations over the post or online, because we need to see and test the piece first.

What's sitting in your drawer?

Have a root around at home. Most of us have at least one forgotten item: a single earring, a tangled chain, a watch that stopped years ago, a gift that never quite suited. If it's gold or silver, it's worth taking a look. If you want a few ideas on what to hunt for, our post on five signs your old gold jewellery deserves a second life is a good place to start.

Why selling to a local shop makes sense

Selling to a local shop means you deal with real people, and you can walk in with your jewellery and walk out the same day. We've been trading in Blackpool and Fleetwood since 1995, and you'll be in and out in under 15 minutes. You can be paid by instant cash or a same-day bank transfer, whichever you prefer.

Your gold then goes back into use, rather than sitting unseen at the back of a drawer. That's good for you, and it means a little less new gold needs to be dug up.

Buying gold and silver pre-owned

It works the other way too. Pre-owned gold and silver jewellery is a lovely way to buy something with a bit of history, usually for less than you'd pay new, and with nothing freshly mined to make it. Every pre-owned item we sell carries a 12-month warranty, and if you'd like to spread the cost, Easy-Pay lets you pay a 20% deposit and settle the rest over up to 12 weeks, with no credit check and no extra fees.

Got gold or silver at home you no longer wear? See how we buy gold and silver, then bring it into our Blackpool or Fleetwood shop for a free valuation and give it a second life.