I’d been meaning to have a proper clean-out for ages, and a friend mentioned people were getting surprisingly good returns from selling their scrap jewellery in Perth. I’ll admit, I was sceptical. I had this old-fashioned idea that selling gold was some complicated, slightly dodgy process — the sort of thing done in dimly lit shops by people who speak in hushed tones.
But the reality today is nothing like that. The gold-buying industry has grown up. It’s transparent, competitive, and honestly quite empowering once you know how it works. So if you’re thinking about getting cash for gold in Perth, or you’re just curious about what’s sitting in your jewellery box, let me walk you through what I learned along the way.
Table of Contents
Why Gold Has Become the Modern “Just in Case” Asset
You might not know this, but Australia is one of the biggest gold-producing countries in the world. Gold is woven into our history — from the gold rush right through to today’s investment strategies. And while most people think of bullion investors and collectors, everyday Aussies are sitting on gold without realising it.
With the cost of living climbing and people reassessing what they actually need, selling unwanted gold has become something of a mini-trend. Not in a flashy, speculative way — more in a practical, “why let this sit unused when it could help pay for a weekend away or cover the next electricity bill?” sort of way.
Gold is unique because:
- It never loses its core material value
- It’s highly liquid (you can sell it fast)
- It’s universally recognised
- And sometimes, the scrap value is worth more than the piece ever cost you
That’s what surprised me the most. A delicate necklace might not look like much, but if it’s solid gold, the purity alone can fetch a decent amount.
Understanding What Your Gold Is Worth — Without Being a Gem Expert
When I first started looking into this, I felt completely out of my depth. Gold purity? Hallmarks? Price per gram? I just wanted someone to tell me if the mismatched earrings in my drawer were worth more than a coffee.
Here’s the simple version, in normal-people language:
1. Purity Matters — More Than Style or Design
Most jewellery in Australia is:
- 9k (very common)
- 14k
- 18k
The higher the karat, the more gold content — and the more money you’ll get.
Any reputable gold buyer will test this for you, usually right in front of you. There’s nothing to guess.
2. Damage Is Usually No Problem
This was a relief. Broken clasp? Bent ring? Stone missing? Doesn’t matter. Gold is valued by weight and purity, not aesthetics.
3. Hallmarks Aren’t Everything
A hallmark (like “375” or “750”) is just a guide. Some jewellery doesn’t have them at all, especially older pieces or items purchased overseas. That doesn’t mean they’re fake — it just means testing will confirm the truth.
4. The Market Price Changes Daily
Gold has a spot price that moves around like any other commodity. The best buyers offer prices based on the current day’s market — and they’ll show you exactly how they calculate it.
Choosing Where to Sell: The Part Most People Get Wrong
This is where things can get a bit tricky. Perth has plenty of places offering cash for gold — jewellers, pawn shops, pop-up kiosks, online dealers, you name it. But not all buyers are the same.
Some offer lowball prices hoping people won’t know any better. Others rely on flashy advertising but give you next to nothing in reality. A few, however, are upfront, professional, and genuinely customer-focused.
When I was researching where to go, a couple of things helped me separate the good from the not-so-good:
Look for transparent pricing
If a business is serious about fair dealing, they’re not shy about showing how their prices work.
Read local reviews
Perth’s a small enough city that word gets around quickly. If lots of people mention being surprised by how much they got, that’s usually a good sign.
Check their testing process
You want a place where everything happens right in front of you — no back-room disappearing acts.
Avoid pressure tactics
A legitimate gold buyer won’t push you to sell. They’ll explain, give you a valuation, and let you decide.
One of the places people often recommend for cash for gold Perth is:
I liked that you could just walk in with a handful of jewellery and ask questions without feeling awkward. They weigh and test everything transparently, which immediately sets you at ease.
The Difference Between Perth and Melbourne Gold Buyers
It’s funny — after I started looking into gold buying here in WA, a friend in Victoria told me she’d gone through the same process. Melbourne actually has an even bigger second-hand gold scene.
She pointed me to an article from gold buyers Melbourne that goes into how the market works over there. It’s worth a read if you’re curious about how other Aussie cities compare.
What I found interesting is that Melbourne’s a bit more fast-paced and competitive, while Perth’s market feels a bit more personal — probably because our city’s smaller and people tend to value community reputation.
What Types of Gold You Can Sell — It’s More Than Just Jewellery
Most people only think of rings and necklaces. But gold comes in all sorts of everyday and unexpected places.
Here’s a list of things gold buyers will often accept:
- Broken or unwanted jewellery
- Single earrings
- Old engagement or wedding rings
- Coins
- Bullion
- Dental gold (yes, seriously — the old fillings!)
- Gold watches (or parts of them)
- Estate jewellery
- Vintage pieces
I ended up selling a little gold coin pendant that I’d completely forgotten about. It was a gift from a relative years ago and carried no emotional meaning — but it suddenly had real financial value.
A Quick Walkthrough of the Selling Experience
Just in case you’re nervous about the process, here’s what mine looked like:
Step 1 — I brought in a small pouch of random gold pieces
A couple of rings, a broken bracelet, and an earring without a partner.
Step 2 — They tested each item
They checked karat purity and verified whether everything was solid gold or gold-plated. (By the way, plated items aren’t usually valuable — but it’s nice to know for sure.)
Step 3 — They weighed the gold
Right there, on a scale in the open.
Step 4 — They calculated the price using that day’s gold rate
They even explained how the price per gram works, which helped me understand the maths behind the offer.
Step 5 — I got paid on the spot
No waiting, no hidden fees, no fuss.
I walked out feeling oddly accomplished, like I’d ticked off one of those life admin tasks you keep putting off.
How to Get the Best Price for Your Gold (Without Becoming a Pro)
A few tips I learned that really make a difference:
1. Separate your items
Don’t hand over everything in one bundle. Ask for each piece to be weighed and priced individually — it’s your right.
2. Know the basic karat differences
Just knowing that 18k gold is almost twice as valuable as 9k gold gives you confidence.
3. Clean your jewellery beforehand
You don’t need to polish it like new — just remove obvious dirt. Gold buyers don’t penalise you for grime, but it helps you quickly identify what’s what.
4. Shop around if you’re unsure
You’re not obligated to sell anywhere. Good buyers won’t care if you want a second opinion.
5. Don’t rush the process
If something has sentimental value, take a moment to decide. Most people find the “emotional weight” disappears once they realise the jewellery has been sitting unused for years.
Why Selling Gold Is Becoming Part of Everyday Financial Wellbeing
There’s something surprisingly liberating about converting old jewellery into cash. It’s not really about the money — though that part helps — it’s about clearing space, simplifying life, and recognising value in unexpected places.
A lot of people I’ve spoken to say selling their gold made them rethink household clutter and the way we hold onto objects. One friend put it perfectly: “It’s like financial recycling.”
And honestly, in a world where everything seems to cost a little more each year, having a quick, fair way to turn unused items into useful cash feels like a small superpower.
Final Thoughts: Turning Forgotten Treasures into Something Meaningful
If you’ve been thinking about selling gold but felt unsure, intimidated, or just too busy, you’re not alone. I put it off for years. But now that I’ve been through the process, I wish I’d done it sooner. There’s something incredibly satisfying about taking old pieces that no longer serve a purpose and turning them into something that actually improves your life — whether that’s paying a bill, treating yourself to a weekend getaway, or simply adding a little extra breathing room to your budget.
Next time you stumble across that jewellery box, don’t just close the lid and promise you’ll deal with it “one day.” You might be sitting on value you didn’t know you had.