Where is the best place to sell gold near me?

The best place depends on what you have. For scrap jewelry, a local coin dealer or refiner typically pays the highest percentage (85–95% of melt). For convenience, mail-in buyers offer free insured shipping and pay 70–85%. Pawn shops are fastest but pay the least (40–70%). Get quotes from at least three buyers before deciding.

How do I find a reputable gold buyer?

Look for buyers who are transparent about their payout rates, test gold in front of you, and have been in business for several years. Check online reviews on Google and the Better Business Bureau. Avoid buyers who pressure you to accept an offer immediately or will not put the offer in writing.

Is it safe to mail in my gold?

Reputable mail-in buyers provide free, fully insured shipping kits (often via FedEx or UPS). Your gold is insured for the full value while in transit. The risk is low if you use an established buyer, but always read reviews and confirm the insurance coverage before shipping.

Where to Sell Gold Near Me

Compare every type of gold buyer — and know exactly what to ask before you accept an offer.

Current gold spot price: $4,412.89/ozt · Last updated: 8/11/2026, 4:51:42 AM

Types of Gold Buyers Compared

Buyer Type	Payout	Best For	Notes
Local Coin Dealer	85–95% of melt	Coins, bars, and larger quantities of jewelry	Often the highest payouts. May not buy small quantities under 10 grams.
Refiner	90–95% of melt	Large quantities (50g+) and industrial gold	Best rates but may require minimum quantity. Fewer locations.
Local Jeweler	75–90% of melt	Designer jewelry and pieces with gemstones	May pay a premium for recognizable brands. Varies by store.
Mail-In Gold Buyer	70–85% of melt	Convenience and medium quantities	Free insured shipping. Wait 1–3 days for payment after they receive it.
Pawn Shop	40–70% of melt	Instant cash, small quantities	Fastest but lowest payouts. Negotiate for a better rate.
Coin Show / Coin Club	85–95% of melt	Numismatic coins and bullion	Best for collectible coins. Not ideal for scrap jewelry.

How to Choose the Right Buyer

The best buyer depends on what you have and how quickly you need cash. If you are selling a large quantity of scrap jewelry — say, 50 grams or more — a refiner or coin dealer will almost always pay the highest percentage. They deal in volume and have lower margins per transaction. Call ahead to ask about minimum quantities and whether they buy from the public.

If you have designer jewelry (Tiffany, Cartier, David Yurman) or pieces with significant diamonds, a local jeweler may pay more than the melt value because they can resell the piece intact. Get quotes from at least two jewelers and compare them to the melt value — if the jeweler's offer is below melt, sell for melt instead.

Mail-in buyers are a good middle ground for convenience and payout. They typically pay 70–85% of melt, provide free insured shipping, and deposit payment within 1–3 days of receiving your gold. The downside is the wait time and the need to trust a company you may not have used before. Read reviews and confirm they are insured and bonded.

Pawn shops are the fastest option — walk in, get cash, walk out — but they pay the least. Use a pawn shop only if you need cash immediately and cannot wait for a better offer. Even then, negotiate. See our pawn shop gold prices guide for negotiation tips.