What we buy
- Cuban and Miami Cuban link chains
- Rope chains
- Figaro and Mariner chains
- Herringbone and snake chains
- Box, Franco and wheat chains
- Byzantine chains
- Chains with pendants or medallions
- Anklets and thin necklaces
How we price gold chains
Chains are priced on karat, weight and the live spot price. Style alone doesn't change the gold value, but construction does: a hollow chain can look as thick as a solid one and weigh far less. That's why we weigh instead of judging by size. Clasps are sometimes a lower karat than the chain, or even plated, so we test the clasp and the chain separately when needed. Each chain goes on its own line of your written offer, along with any pendant.
Hollow Versus Solid
Two chains can look the same in a photo and be very different in gold weight. Hollow chains are made from thin tubes of gold, which keeps the price down when they're new but means less gold when you sell. Solid chains are heavier for their size.
Neither is a problem. It just explains why a big chain might bring less than you expected, or a thin one more. You'll see the weight of each chain on the scale. Seeing that number yourself takes the mystery out of the offer.
Check the Clasp for a Stamp
Most gold chains have a karat mark near the clasp or on a small tag. Common marks are 10K, 14K, 18K, 417, 585 and 750. Italian chains often carry a number plus a maker code.
A stamp is a good sign, but we test every chain anyway. Some chains are marked one karat and test at another, and some stamps belong to a plated chain. That's also why we never price a chain by its stamp alone.
Don't Bother Untangling
A knotted ball of chains is something we see all the time. Bring them as they are. Pulling hard on a knot can snap a fine chain, and a snapped chain is worth the same in gold anyway.
If a pendant has a photo or stone you'd like to keep, set it aside before your visit.
Booking Your Appointment
We meet by private appointment Monday through Friday, and same-day times are often open. Call and we'll confirm the Dallas details. Bring a valid government photo ID, as Texas law requires. You can take cash the same visit or take your chains home.
Most chain sellers in DFW are clearing out pieces they stopped wearing years ago, or chains left behind by a family member. Whatever the reason, the process is the same. We test, weigh and write. If you'd rather keep a favorite chain and sell the others, your line-by-line offer makes that easy to sort out.
Gold Chains: Common Questions
Why does my thick chain weigh so little?
It's likely hollow. Hollow chains are made from thin gold tubing, so they look full but hold less gold. Since offers are based on weight and karat, a hollow chain brings less than a solid chain of the same size.
Do you test the clasp separately?
When needed, yes. Clasps are sometimes a different karat than the chain or are plated. Testing them on their own makes sure each part is priced at its real purity, and you see every result.
Will you buy a chain with a pendant on it?
Yes. We'll test the chain and the pendant, since they're often different karats. If the pendant has a stone or photo you want to keep, let us know, and we can price the chain by itself.
My chain is knotted. Should I untangle it first?
No. Pulling on a knot can break a fine chain. Bring it just as it is. Knots don't affect the gold weight or karat, and the offer is the same whether the chain is tangled or not.