You’re here because you have unwanted jewellery—perhaps an old engagement ring, broken chains, or inherited pieces—and you want to get the best possible price without the hassle of pawnshops or auction delays. This page walks you through the entire process of selling your precious metals and gemstones using kachingo, a service designed to give you fast, transparent valuations. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to prepare your items, understand the appraisal, and complete the sale with confidence.
What You’ll Learn
Quick Answer: How Kachingo Works
Kachingo connects you with verified jewellery buyers who provide free, no-obligation valuations online. You upload photos and details, receive a binding quote within hours, and if you accept, the buyer sends a prepaid, insured shipping kit. After inspection, payment is released within 24 hours. It’s a secure, hassle-free way to sell without leaving your home.
What Determines Your Jewellery’s Value
Before selling, it helps to understand how professionals assess your pieces. Buyers don’t just guess—they use specific criteria. Here’s what impacts the offer you’ll receive.
Metal Purity and Weight
Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium are weighed in grams. Purity is measured in karats (e.g., 14k, 18k, 22k) or fineness (e.g., .999 for pure silver). Higher purity and heavier weight mean higher base value. Most buyers use electronic testers or acid tests to verify.
Gemstone Quality
Diamonds are graded on the 4Cs: carat, cut, colour, and clarity. Coloured stones like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are assessed on hue, tone, saturation, and clarity. Fancy shapes, untreated stones, and certified gems command a premium.
Brand and Designer Pieces
Known brands (e.g., Tiffany, Cartier, Bvlgari) or designer signatures can increase value beyond scrap metal and stone prices. Always mention any hallmarks, maker’s marks, or original documentation.
Condition and Completeness
Items that are broken, missing stones, or heavily worn are worth less. Buyers deduct repair costs from their offer. Intact, well-maintained pieces in original boxes with certificates get the best prices.
| Factor | Why It Matters | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Metal purity | Determines base scrap value | Check hallmarks before selling |
| Stone certification | Increases buyer confidence | Attach GIA or IGI reports |
| Brand name | Adds premium above scrap | Research recent sales of same brand |
Step-by-Step Selling Guide with Kachingo
Step 1: Gather Your Information
What to do: Collect any paperwork you have—certificates, receipts, insurance appraisals. Take clear photos of each item from multiple angles: top, bottom, sides, and close-ups of hallmarks or stones. Use natural light and a clean background.
Why it helps: Buyers need to see condition and features to give an accurate online quote. Blurry or dark photos often lead to lower initial offers.
Expected result: You’ll upload everything and receive a preliminary range within 15 minutes.
Expert tip: Write down the weight if you have a jewellery scale. Even approximate weight helps.
Common mistake: Ignoring small hallmarks. Many rings have them inside the band—turn the item right side out.
Step 2: Request a Free Valuation
What to do: On the Kachingo platform, fill out the form for each item. Select metal type, karat, weight, stone type, and condition. Upload your photos and submit.
Why it helps: This triggers a manual review by a gemologist or experienced buyer. Automated systems can undervalue unique pieces.
Expected result: Within 2–4 hours, you’ll receive a binding written offer with no obligation.
Expert tip: If you have multiple items, consider selling them as a lot. Some buyers pay more for collections.
Common mistake: Overestimating condition. Be honest—damaged items are still sellable but won’t fetch top dollar.
Step 3: Review and Accept the Offer
What to do: Read the offer carefully. It breaks down the value of metal, stones, and brand premium (if any). You have 7 days to accept. If you decline, the process ends with no cost to you.
Why it helps: You see exactly how the buyer arrived at their number. This transparency builds trust.
Expected result: If you accept, you’ll be prompted to confirm your shipping address.
Expert tip: Compare the offer with current scrap gold prices online. A fair offer is typically 80–95% of scrap value plus a stone premium.
Common mistake: Expecting retail prices. Buyers resell at wholesale—this is normal.
Step 4: Ship Your Jewellery Securely
What to do: You’ll receive a prepaid, insured shipping kit within 2 business days. It includes a tamper-evident bag, instructions, and a return label. Pack your jewellery as directed.
Why it helps: Insurance covers the full declared value while in transit. The tamper-evident packaging prevents theft.
Expected result: Ship from any location (post office, drop box, pickup). Tracking is provided.
Expert tip: Take a video of yourself packing the item and placing it in the bag. If a dispute arises, you have evidence.
Common mistake: Using your own packaging or forgetting to include all items. Stick to the provided kit.
Step 5: Receive Final Verification and Payment
What to do: The buyer inspects your jewellery within 1–2 business days of receiving it. They confirm the condition matches what you described. You receive payment via bank transfer, PayPal, or cheque within 24 hours after confirmation.
Why it helps: You get fast liquidity—no waiting weeks for an auction or private sale.
Expected result: Money shows in your account in 1–3 business days depending on your bank.
Expert tip: If the buyer finds a discrepancy (e.g., a stone is synthetic), they will renegotiate. You have the right to reject the new offer and have your items returned free of charge.
Common mistake: Not checking your email for status updates. Respond quickly if the buyer has questions.
Checklist: Get Your Items Ready for Sale
- [ ] Clean jewellery gently with mild soap and a soft cloth—no harsh chemicals
- [ ] Locate and photograph all hallmarks (e.g., 585, 750, 925)
- [ ] Take photos: top, bottom, side, hallmark close-up, stone close-up
- [ ] Gather any certificates, receipts, or insurance appraisals
- [ ] Weigh each item separately if possible
- [ ] Note missing or damaged components (e.g., broken clasp, loose stone)
- [ ] Research current spot prices for gold, silver, platinum
- [ ] Decide in advance the minimum offer you’d accept
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Kachingo online | Free valuation, no shipping cost, fast payment, insured | Must trust buyer, cannot negotiate after shipping |
| Local pawnshop | Immediate cash, no shipping | Lowball offers, no gemstone expertise |
| Private sale (eBay, Facebook) | Potentially higher price | Time-consuming, fraud risk, no returns |
| Auction house | Good for rare or branded pieces | Long waiting, seller fees, uncertain outcome |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: My offer is lower than expected
Reason: The buyer factors in repair costs, market fluctuations, or lower-than-expected gem quality. Photos may not show damage clearly.
Solution: You can decline and request return. Or ask for a detailed breakdown—some buyers will explain if a stone is chipped or a metal is not pure.
Problem: The buyer claims my item is not as described
Reason: Sometimes stones are synthetic or metals are plated. This can happen even to experienced sellers.
Solution: Politely ask for evidence (e.g., photo under microscope). If you disagree, request a return. Most reputable services return items free if you reject the revised offer.
Problem: Payment delay
Reason: Bank processing times vary. Sometimes payment is held due to security checks on large amounts.
Solution: Confirm with the buyer that payment was initiated. Then contact your bank. Most delays resolve within 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for shipping?
No. Kachingo provides a prepaid, fully insured shipping kit. There are no out-of-pocket costs for sending your jewellery or having it returned.
How is my jewellery’s value calculated?
Buyers assess the melt value of precious metals (based on weight and purity), the wholesale value of gemstones (using the 4Cs), and any brand premium. The offer is a combination of these factors minus a small margin for the buyer.
Can I sell broken or damaged jewellery?
Yes. Broken chains, missing stones, or bent rings still have scrap value. However, the offer will be lower because the buyer must invest in repairs. Be transparent about damage during the online assessment.
What if I don’t agree with the final offer after inspection?
You have the right to reject the revised offer. Your jewellery will be returned to you at no charge. Insurance covers the full value during return shipping.
How long does the entire process take?
From submitting photos to receiving payment, the typical timeline is 5–8 business days. Valuation takes 2–4 hours, shipping kit arrives in 2 days, inspection is 1–2 days, and payment is sent within 24 hours of acceptance.
Best Practices for Maximising Your Payout
- Clean your jewellery properly. Dirt hides issues. A clean item photographs better and may even test higher for purity.
- Disclose everything upfront. Hidden damage or missing stones will be found during inspection. Honesty gets you a fair offer faster.
- Sell during high metal prices. Gold and silver prices fluctuate. If you’re not in a rush, wait for a peak.
- Bundle multiple items. Some buyers increase the per-gram rate for larger lots because it reduces their processing costs.
- Keep your certificates. A GIA report for a diamond can add 10–15% to the offer vs selling without one.
Final thought: Selling jewellery doesn’t need to be stressful. The key is to understand what you have, present it clearly, and choose a buyer you trust. Kachingo is designed to remove the guesswork—you get a professional valuation without leaving your home. Take your time reviewing offers, and never accept a deal that doesn’t feel right.