Residents urged to shop around for best second-hand gold prices

AS THE second-hand jewellery market soars during the recession, residents in Northwood and Rickmansworth who are thinking of selling unwanted gold are being urged to shop around for the best price.

Officers from Hertfordshire Trading Standards visited 16 premises across the county which offered to buy unwanted jewellery and gold, and asked for a valuation on four items - two bracelets inset with diamonds, a pink sapphire and diamond ring, and a plain 9ct gold men's bracelet.

Some premises could not give a proper value for items containing stones, and would only offer on the gold bracelet.

Of those which offered for all four items, the amounts varied from £246 to £800. The 9ct gold bracelet was valued at between £40 and £60.

Keith Emsall, executive member for community safety at Hertfordshire County Council, said: "In one case, two shops within yards of each other gave valuations differing by £220, with one offering £450 and another £670. This demonstrates the value of shopping around."