Do UK Gold Buyers Pay Less for Indian Gold?

If you have ever wondered if UK based gold buyers offer less for gold jewellery produced in India and other Asian countries, then you're not alone. This is a common concern for those in the UK looking to sell Indian gold jewellery, and it's rooted in real experiences. Many people who try to sell Asian gold in the UK to cash for gold businesses are often told their pieces are “too difficult to test,” “not properly hallmarked,” or “likely not full purity.” In these situations the gold buyers may may reduce offers or decline where purity can’t be confirmed.

At Cheshire Gold Xchange, we don’t reduce offers or refuse any gold based on origin. We have specialist equipment that can analyse the true gold content of all items without the need for hallmarking. We test every item using non-destructive XRF analysis, this provides a precise surface alloy reading quickly. We can get a gold content percentage to two decimal places. That means we can confidently pay the high prices for Indian gold and Asian gold, whether or not it's hallmarked.

Let's break down why some gold buyers will pay less for foreign gold, and how you can make sure you achieve the best price when selling your Indian gold jewellery in the UK.

Why Some UK Gold Buyers Pay Less for Indian Gold

Many small scale gold buyers in the UK play it safe where hallmarks are not present or they cannot rely on the visible hallmarks. When these buyers cannot confidently identify purity they will lower their offer to protect their profit margin or just refuse to purchase. Here’s why that often happens with Indian gold:

1. Unfamiliar Hallmarks

• UK produced jewellery comes with an official assay mark from a third-party assay office.
• Indian jewellery often uses BIS hallmarking, which isn’t always recognised or trusted by UK buyers.
• Older or gold jewellery passed down the family line may have no hallmark at all.

2. High Purity Makes Buyers Nervous

• Indian gold is usually 22ct to 24ct, which is a higher purity than typical UK 9ct jewellery.
• Buying higher purity makes the cost of making an error much higher.
• The jewellery may be a lower purity than claimed, especially without a hallmark.

3. Lack of Proper Testing Equipment

• Many buyers rely on acid tests or assumptions based on appearance.
• Acid testing can only offer a guide, and is not an accurate, exact purity test thus resulting a potential lower offer by the buyer.
• Acid testing requires scratching the metal, this is destructive testing and can damage the piece you are looking for a valuation on.

The result? Indian gold sellers could get offered below the real value of their gold, just because of uncertainty.

How Cheshire Gold Xchange Does It Differently

We believe sellers should not be penalised based on the origin of their gold. We test items professionally and explain results in writing.

We Use XRF Analysis to Test Purity Accurately

Unlike most gold buyers, we don’t rely on outdated and destructive gold testing methods. Instead, we use X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology, which gives a precise breakdown of the metals in your jewellery without any damage, instantly.

What does that mean for you?

• No guesswork. We know exactly what carat your item is and how much pure gold is present.
• Top prices. We can confidently pay based on real accurate purity, not assumptions.
• No penalty for missing hallmarks. Your Indian jewellery's value comes from its gold content, not a stamp.

We regularly test gold that turns out to be 22.1ct, 23.3ct, or even 24ct, when others would assume 18ct or lower. If your gold is hallmarked 22ct and scans higher, we’ll price fairly based on the confirmed purity and explain the testing to you.

What Types of Indian Gold Do We Buy?

We buy all and any type of gold from India, including:

• 22ct gold bangles
• Mangalsutra necklaces
• Gold earrings and jhumkas
• Bridal wedding sets
• Gold chains and pendants
• Unhallmarked or vintage Indian jewellery
• 24ct Tola gold bars

You don’t need receipts, certificates, or proof of authenticity just bring your items in or request a free postal gold pack online. Standard ID checks may apply for anti-money-laundering compliance.

What to Do Before You Sell Indian Gold in the UK

Here’s how to make the process smooth and simple:

Choose a specialist Indian Gold buyer

The first step towards selling Indian gold successfully in the UK, is to research and find a specialist buyer such as ourselves. Find a buyer, who is familiar with foreign gold, and are able to test your items accurately and non-destructively.

Don’t Remove Stones or Alter the Jewellery For Valuation

Indian gold jewellery is often worn during religious ceremonies, such as weddings. Traditionally we see Indian wedding jewellery at between 22ct-24ct purity, the pieces are often adorned with non-precious stones. There is no need to remove these in order to get a valuation.

Weigh Your Gold at Home (Optional)

A basic digital kitchen scale can give you an idea of total weight of your item. This should only serve as a guide, as final quotes use legal-for-trade calibrated scales, as required under UK weights & measures law. If you weigh the different carats individually, ie. Group all the 22ct together, and group the 24ct. You can then use an online gold calculator to give you a price estimate.

Don't sell on your first offer

Don't sell your Indian gold jewellery to the first buyer, obtain multiple quotes. If you know the weight and purity of your items you can quickly obtain quotes from online gold buyers.

Sell Indian Gold With Confidence At Cheshire Gold Xchange

Selling Indian gold jewellery in the UK shouldn’t mean settling for less. At Cheshire Gold Xchange, we’re changing the way Indian gold is valued, backed by science, not assumptions.

We offer honest, high value payouts for gold bangles, bridal sets, chains, and more. Whether you visit us in-store or use our free postal pack service, we’ll make sure your gold is properly tested and the best price is paid.