FAQs
Your Common Questions Answered
We want to make applying for our services as simple as possible. To help we have compiled a list of the most common questions asked.
Sell Your Gold
We calculate the worth of any gold on the day it is received, based on the AM gold fix that day. However, payments are also dependent on the pureness and amount of the gold.
Gold is given a fixed price, twice daily, by the London Gold Fixing – a procedure enabling the market to trade at the same quoted price.
Purity is measured by how many parts per thousand are pure. You can often tell the fineness of your gold by the number, or hallmark that is written on it. One popular English hallmark is 375, or 9ct, which means the gold’s purity is 375 parts per thousand (37.5%) pure. Please note that a number on its own – without an official assay office stamp – is not considered a hallmark and does not necessarily represent the true purity of the article in question.
We use acid tests to work out the purity, or ct, of the gold. This is the most accurate way, after Assaying (a chemical process by which the finest or purity of the gold is established). We also have an XRF Analyser which we can also use to confirm the purity of gold.
If you desire, we can test your items to see if they are gold. However, we charge a return fee of £10 to cover administration and postage if the precious metals material is not sold to us. If the material is sold to us then postage will only be charged if it is a cash payment or if extra bits of non precious metal and stones needs returning. The £10 will have to be received before we can return the goods.
Our Gold melting and assay service has a 24-48 hour turnaround on most occasions at a cost of £50. Any other Melting and Assay charges vary on the type of metals being tested and the assays for these are usually between three to four working days. Sweeps will take approximately 4 to 6 weeks depending on the type of material.
Our Gold melting and assay service has a 24-48 hour turnaround on most occasions at a cost of £50. Any other Melting and Assay charges vary on the type of metals being tested and the assays for these are usually between three to four working days. Sweeps will take approximately 4 to 6 weeks depending on the type of material.
If goods are not sold to us we will have to charge £10 for handling and the return of the goods. This will have to be received before we can post the goods back.
We charge £25 – the industry standard – for a melt and assay. This is so we can measure the exact weight and pureness of the gold you have sent us. The gold is melted down and turned into a gold bar (a melt), which we will then test to assess the pureness of the bar (an assay).
Sweeps also carry a Burn and Processing charge, but are assessed on weight and content.
The post office does not compensate for losses of jewellery items delivered via recorded delivery nor first or second class postage; we therefore recommend special delivery.
Anything sent via special delivery standard is insured up to the value of £500. However, you can also increase this insurance up to the value of £2500 for a small charge.
Yes, this is possible, but please get in contact with us beforehand for further information.
Cash, Cheque or Bank Transfer.
We will endeavour to have payments done as quick as possible on receipt of goods, same day if possible but as a rule we will pay on the next business day following our reception of the gold. Therefore, gold received on a Friday will be paid for on a Monday. But anything received Monday to Thursday will be paid for the following day.
Borrow Against Your Gold
A secured loan in which the amount you can borrow is determined by the value of your item. The item of value is left with us in return for an instant cash loan.
The minimum we lend is £500! There is no set maximum but the amount we lend you will be determined by the value of your gold items. When we value your gold we will offer you a loan sum. You can then opt to take the full sum or of you prefer a lower amount so you only borrow what you need and are comfortable in being able to pay back.
Our pawnbroking loans are for up to 6 months.
The amount you pay back depends on how much you borrowed. Our staff will be happy to print you out an example for the exact amount you are looking to borrow. Please just call us or pop in store.
To apply you must be 18 years old or over, a UK resident and the legal owner of the item(s) you are using to obtain the loan.
- Call into our Hatton Garden shop where our staff will test your item and offer you a price on the spot.
- Via our website – use the application form to supply a few details and a picture of your items and we will contact you to let you know how much we may be able to offer you. You then take your item into our shop or send it by post or courier for our valuations team to verify and value. We pay you once we have completed a physical check of your item.
All valuables are kept in our safe so rest assured they will be looked after.
No credit check is needed to apply for our Borrow service as we will be offering you a loan based on the value of your item(s).
If you have a problem repaying your loan, you should let us know immediately to discuss your situation. The loan period is for six months, but can be extended for another six months if you pay the interest due, we may also be able to arrange a repayment plan for you.
If you do not redeem your property by the end of the contract, if the loan you received was more than £75 we will sell the item, notify you of sale within 20 days and after deducting what we are owed, return any surplus funds to you.
If the loan was for £100 or more, you will be notified in writing, of our intention to sell the property prior to its’ sale.
Where any loan is made for £75 or over and it has to be sold upon no-collection, you will receive a letter giving the result of the sale and laying out all the information in respect of the sale (date sold, amount received, amount deducted as owed to J Blundell & Sons and any surplus/deficit).
Buy Back Your Gold
Buy Back is a 28-day agreement that allows you to sell your gold or precious metals items for instant cash but with the option to buy them back within 28 days for a small fee. We will store your items securely. If after 28 days you have not returned to Buy Back your item then it will be made available for general sale.
- Call into our Hatton Garden shop where our staff will test your item and offer you a price on the spot.
- Via our website – use the application form to supply a few details and a picture of your items and we will contact you to let you know how much we may be able to offer you. You then take your item into our shop or send it by post or courier for our valuations team to verify and value. We pay you once we have completed a physical check of your item.
No credit check is needed to apply for our Buy Back service.
This depends on how much we paid you for the item originally, we then add to this a storage and administration fee. We will let you have these details prior to you agreeing to sell the item to us.
You can buy your item back at any time up to 28 days from the date you sold it to us. After 28 days we will put the item available for sale in our shop.
We Buy & Lend Against
- Gold any carat
- Old or broken gold jewellery
- Gold coins
- Gold bars
- Silver
- Platinum
Same Day
Melting & Assaying Services*
*Subject to conditions
Looking to Borrow

Why Buy With J Blundell & Sons?
- Long Established & Trusted Bullion Dealer Since 1839
- Real People Available for Expert Advice – Hatton Garden, London Store.*
- Family Run Business
- Free & Fast Secured Delivery
- Price Match Guarantee**
- We Will Buy Back Any Items Sold ***
*J Blundells & Sons are happy to provide advice on products that we feel meet with your investment needs but we are not authorised to provide investment advice. You should always seek independent financial advice.
** Please supply a date quote from competitor on their company header paper
***Items must pass testing for authenticity and will be priced on the day of being sold, at that day’s gold rate. Daily rates are published here.
† We accept debit card payment for orders up to a value of £10,000 and Cash on Collection up to the value of £9,000.