Sell Your Gold Chain
Get the best price for your Gold Chains. Compare trusted UK buyers, check live values, and sell with confidence.
Selling Gold Chains in the UK
Gold chains are the single most common item sold for scrap gold in the UK. Whether it is a heavy men's curb chain, a delicate women's necklace, a rope chain, a figaro, or a tangled knot of old jewellery pulled from the back of a drawer, the value is determined strictly by weight and purity — condition is irrelevant. The vast majority of gold chains in the UK are 9ct (375), though 18ct (750) and 14ct (585) chains are also common. Heavy men's curb chains in 9ct gold can easily be worth several hundred pounds, so it is always worth checking before discarding old or broken pieces.
What Dealers Pay for Gold Chains Today
| Dealer | Item | They Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Gold-Traders | 18ct Gold | £78.04per gram |
| Hatton Garden Metals | 18ct Gold | £71.44per gram |
| Gold-Traders | 9ct Gold | £39.02per gram |
| Hatton Garden Metals | 9ct Gold | £35.72per gram |
Prices updated daily from dealer websites. Last checked: 2026-04-10.
- Weight: Heavy chains (like curb or belcher styles) can be worth significant sums. Always weigh your chain in grams.
- Carat (Purity): Check the hallmark. 9ct (375) is most common in the UK, but 18ct (750) chains are worth double the price per gram.
- Condition: For scrap gold, condition doesn't matter. Broken clasps or snapped links do not reduce the gold value.
- Chain Type Doesn't Affect Scrap Value: Whether it's a curb, belcher, rope, or figaro chain, the scrap gold value is the same — it's all about weight and carat.
Calculate Gold Chain Value
Enter weight and purity to get an instant estimate
How to Prepare Your Gold Chain for Sale
- 1
Check the hallmark on the clasp or an end link — common UK marks are 375 (9ct), 585 (14ct), 750 (18ct), and 916 (22ct).
- 2
Remove any pendants, charms, or non-gold attachments. These add weight but most scrap dealers won't pay for them unless they are also gold.
- 3
Weigh the chain on kitchen scales to get an approximate value before approaching dealers. Even basic digital scales accurate to 1g are useful.
- 4
Group chains by carat if you have multiple items — this speeds up the valuation and ensures nothing is undervalued.
Expert Tips for Selling Gold Chains
💡 Use a magnet—if your 'gold' chain sticks to it, it's likely gold-plated steel and not solid gold.
💡 Remove any non-gold pendants or heavy stones if you want an accurate weight estimate before selling.
💡 Compare 'scrap gold' prices per gram rather than looking for 'jewelry' buyers, as most used chains are melted down.
💡 Heavy men's curb chains in 9ct can be worth £200-500+ — don't assume old chains are worthless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely. Gold buyers purchase chains for their material value (weight and purity), so it makes no difference if the chain is broken, tangled, or damaged. The gold will be melted down and refined, so cosmetic condition is completely irrelevant. A broken 9ct chain weighing 20 grams is worth exactly the same as an intact one of the same weight and carat.
Look for a hallmark on the clasp or a link near the end. Common UK hallmarks are 375 (9ct), 585 (14ct), 750 (18ct), or 916 (22ct). If it says 'GP', 'GF', or 'Rolled', it is likely plated and has little scrap value. You can also try a magnet test — solid gold is not magnetic. If in doubt, a reputable dealer will test the metal free of charge.
The scrap value of 9ct gold changes daily with the spot price. To calculate, take the current price of pure gold per gram and multiply by 0.375 (the gold content of 9ct). Dealers will then pay between 85-95% of this calculated value. Use our calculator above for an instant estimate. As a rough guide, 9ct gold is typically worth around 37.5% of the pure gold price per gram.
No. Whether your chain is a curb, belcher, rope, figaro, box, or snake chain, the scrap value is identical for the same weight and carat. Style only matters if you are selling the chain as jewellery to a retailer or private buyer. For scrap purposes, all gold chains are melted down regardless of design.
For most used chains, a scrap gold dealer will pay more. Jewellers buy to resell as jewellery and need a larger margin. Scrap dealers buy for metal content and have tighter margins. The exception is designer or branded chains (Tiffany, Cartier, etc.) where a specialist jewellery buyer might pay a premium above scrap value. For standard chains, always compare scrap gold prices online.
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Founder & Market Researcher
Taro has been actively investing in precious metals and financial markets for over 15 years. Frustrated by the lack of transparent, accurate gold pricing information in the UK, he built London Gold Exchange as a data-driven resource for fellow investors. The site combines real-time market data, verified dealer information from 242+ UK businesses, and insights drawn from years of hands-on experience in the gold market.
- ✓15+ years investing in precious metals & equities
- ✓Built verified database of 242+ UK gold dealers
- ✓Daily market data analysis and price tracking
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