PRECIOUS METAL EXCHANGE
Unlock the value in jewellery you no longer wear.Precious metal retains value long after a piece of jewellery has stopped being part of your life.
HOW IT WORKS
Broken chains, unwanted rings, single earrings, old settings, silverware and pieces that have spent years sitting quietly in drawers may all contain gold, silver, platinum or other precious metals with value worth recovering. Through our Precious Metal Exchange, we assess what you have and find the most appropriate route for it, whether that means purchasing a useful piece directly, placing precious metal through our trusted trade network, or using its value towards a new Sara Rothwell Jewellery commission.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE?
You do not need to know before you come to us. We assess your pieces individually, looking at hallmarks, precious-metal content, carat or fineness, weight, construction and any stones or components that may have value of their own. Depending on what you bring us, we may be able to work with:
Gold
Silver
Platinum
Precious-metal jewellery
Broken or incomplete jewellery
Chains and bracelets
Rings and old settings
Single earrings and accumulated pieces
Selected precious-metal objects
If you are unsure whether something has value, bring it to us and we can take a look.
STONES, CHAINS & PIECES WORTH KEEPING
Before anything is reduced to its metal value, we look carefully at what you actually have. Diamonds and gemstones may be worth removing, while a good chain, useful component or particularly interesting piece may have a life beyond its scrap value. If we see something worth considering separately, we will always tell you.
Where suitable, gemstones may also be assessed and purchased directly by Sara Rothwell Jewellery. Reusing precious materials already in existence is an important part of our ethical practice, so a stone you no longer wish to keep may find its way into a future commission rather than requiring something new to be sourced. Stones and other elements can also be returned to you, retained for a future piece or incorporated into your own commission.
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TURN ITS VALUE INTO SOMETHING NEW
You can also choose to put the value of unwanted precious metal towards a Sara Rothwell Jewellery commission.Perhaps there are pieces you are ready to release alongside others that still carry meaning.
The unwanted metal can be sold or exchanged, while the gold and stones you want to carry forward can become part of something new through our Heirloom Gold Alchemy service. The value realised from the pieces you sell can then contribute towards the cost of creating your new commission.
HOW VALUE IS CALCULATED
Precious-metal prices move constantly. The value of your metal is based on the relevant precious-metal market price at the time your transaction is processed, alongside its purity and recoverable precious-metal weight. An 18ct gold piece, for example, contains a different proportion of pure gold from a 9ct piece, while silver and platinum are valued according to their own market prices.Where we arrange a trade sale or refining on your behalf, the final amount is based on the value actually realised when the metal is processed.We explain the basis of the transaction before you decide whether you would like to proceed.
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DIRECT PURCHASE
Sometimes a piece is useful to us exactly as it is. A beautiful chain, usable component, piece of precious metal or item we would like to retain within the studio may be something Sara Rothwell Jewellery chooses to purchase directly from you.Where this is the case, we make you an offer based on the piece and its precious-metal scrap value at that time. If you choose to accept, we pay you the agreed amount and ownership of the piece transfers to Sara Rothwell Jewellery. There is no service fee deducted from a direct purchase. The amount offered is the amount you receive.
SELLING YOUR PRECIOUS METAL
Where we arrange the sale or recycling of your precious metal rather than purchasing it ourselves, we act as your intermediary. We assess and sort the material and arrange for it to be processed through our trusted professional precious-metal trade network. This gives you access to the trade routes we use within our own jewellery practice while we take care of the handling and administration for you.Once the transaction has been completed, we provide you with the final realised value and deduct our service fee.OUR SERVICE FEEFor precious metals sold or recycled on your behalf, we charge:10% of the final realised value, subject to a minimum fee of £50. This covers assessment, sorting, handling, administration and arranging the transaction through our trade network. The remaining balance is then paid to you.
1. BRING US WHAT YOU HAVE
Begin with photographs or arrange to bring your pieces to us. You do not need to know their metal, weight or value.
2. WE ASSESS THE PIECES
We look at hallmarks, purity, weight, stones, construction and whether anything may have value or usefulness beyond its precious-metal content.
3. WE EXPLAIN YOUR OPTIONS
Depending on what you have, we may make a direct purchase offer, arrange a trade sale or refining on your behalf, or discuss using some of the material within a new commission.
4. YOU DECIDE
We explain the proposed route and applicable fees before proceeding. Nothing is sold, dismantled or processed without your agreement.
5. YOUR METAL IS VALUED
The transaction is based on the applicable precious-metal price when it is processed, together with the purity and recoverable weight of the material.
6. YOU RECEIVE YOUR SETTLEMENT
For a direct purchase, you receive the amount agreed with Sara Rothwell Jewellery.Where we sell or recycle precious metal on your behalf, you receive the final realised value less our 10% service fee, subject to the £50 minimum.Alternatively, the proceeds can be put towards a Sara Rothwell Jewellery commission.​​​
BEGIN YOUR PRECIOUS METAL EXCHANGE
You may have one broken chain or an entire collection accumulated over decades.You may know exactly what you have, or have absolutely no idea.Bring us what you have. We will look at the pieces, explain what we find and talk you through the possibilities before you decide what happens next.