Frequently asked questions

• What is CT Gold & Silver?
• Process & Transactions
• Items We Buy
• Understanding Gold & Silver Purities
• Bullion, Coins, & Numismatics
• Business Practices & Customer Experience

• Who We Are

CT Gold & Silver is a trusted, community-focused business with over a decade of experience in the Connecticut area. We are not a pawn shop and do not offer loans; instead, we specialize in purchasing items outright, allowing us to provide our clients with the most competitive, top-market prices. 
Our reputation is built on transparency, fairness, and the expertise of our staff. We pride ourselves on offering a straightforward, stress-free, and informative experience, as reflected by our over 1,000 five-star reviews from satisfied clients who value our approach to buying gold, silver, and collectibles.

• Why should I choose CT Gold & Silver?

We’ve been a trusted part of the Connecticut business community for over a decade. Our reputation is built on transparency, fairness, and the expertise of our staff. We are proud to have over 1,000 five-star reviews from clients who value our straightforward, stress-free, and informative approach to buying gold, silver, and collectibles.

• Is selling my old jewelry environmentally friendly?

Yes! Recycling your gold and silver jewelry helps the environment by reducing the need for new, resource-intensive mining. By selling your broken or outdated pieces to us, you are giving those precious metals a new life while putting money back in your pocket.

• Do you do repairs?

While we don’t offer repair services for your personal jewelry (such as resizing or stone setting), we do evaluate high-end watches even if they aren’t currently running. If you have items you no longer wear because they need repair, our best recommendation is to bring them in—we are happy to buy them as-is!

• Do you give written appraisals?

We don’t provide formal written appraisals (like those needed for insurance). Instead, we specialize in providing quick, accurate, verbal offers on the spot for items you’re looking to sell. We do not provide formal appraisals for insurance or estate tax purposes.

• How does the process work?

Simply bring your items to any of our locations—no appointment needed! We provide free, no-obligation evaluations while you wait. Standard items take just a few minutes, while unique or complex pieces may take a little more time to ensure you receive our best offer.

• Do I need an appointment?

No appointment needed! You’re welcome to stop by any of our five locations whenever it’s convenient for you. We’re ready when you are.

• Do I get paid on the spot?

Absolutely. Once we’ve evaluated your items and agreed on a price, simply present a valid state-issued ID or driver’s license, and we’ll process your payment by check on the spot.

• Can I text you with questions before I come in?

Yes! We’d love to hear from you. Feel free to text our team at (203) 489-2029 with any questions about your items before you visit.

• What items do you buy besides gold and silver?

In addition to precious metals, we are also interested in collectibles such as comic books and sports memorabilia (including signed balls and game-worn gear). If you have unique treasures, we welcome the opportunity to evaluate them for you!

• Do you buy broken jewelry?

Yes! We’re happy to buy broken or unwanted gold, silver, or platinum jewelry. If you’re not wearing it, it’s worth a look.

• Do you buy diamonds?

Yes, we specialize in buying diamonds of all shapes and sizes. Our experts will evaluate your stones and provide a fair, transparent offer.

• Would you still buy my watch if it’s not running?

Yes, we specialize in high-end watches. If your timepiece isn’t running, our experts can take a look and, if it’s repairable, we’ll be happy to make you an offer.

• Do you buy silver plate?

Currently, we don’t purchase silver-plated items, but we’re always interested in sterling silver! If you’re ever unsure of the difference, just bring your items in—we’d be happy to take a look for you.

• What types of collectibles and memorabilia do you buy?

In addition to precious metals, we are looking for a variety of collectibles and memorabilia, such as comic books and sports gear including signed balls and game-worn items. If you have unique treasures, bring them in for a free, professional evaluation.

• Do you buy gift cards?

We don’t buy gift cards, but we’d love to take a look at any precious metals or collectibles you might have!

• What does ‘karat’ (k) on my gold jewelry mean?

“Karat” is referring to the purity of your gold. Pure gold is 24k (24/24 parts gold). Because pure gold is very soft, it is often mixed with other metals to make jewelry durable enough for daily wear. For example, a 10k piece is 10 parts gold and 14 parts other metals (about 41.7% pure), while 14k is 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals (about 58.5% pure).

• What are common gold purities I might see in jewelry?

• 10k: Very durable and great for daily wear; 41.7% gold.
• 14k: A very popular balance of durability and gold content, often used for rings and chains; 58.5% gold.
• 18k: Often seen in designer and other jewelry and has a richer, warmer color; 75% gold.
• 24k: Pure gold – this is very soft and usually found in bullion bars or coins rather than jewelry; 99.9% gold

• How do you determine the purity of my gold jewelry?

We begin by inspecting your jewelry for manufacturer stamps, which allows us to sort items by their purity. To verify these markings, we use professional acid scratch testing. For heavier pieces or items that require further confirmation, we may occasionally file into an inconspicuous spot to acid test directly on the piece to ensure a completely accurate assessment.

• Why is some of my jewelry marked “12k GF” or “12k 1/20”?

Gold-filled jewelry, often marked as “GF,” is not solid gold. Instead, it consists of a substantial layer of genuine gold that has been heat-bonded to a base metal, such as brass. Because this layer is significantly thicker than what you find on gold-plated items, it is much more durable and resistant to wear. You might see markings like “12k GF” or “12k 1/20,” where “1/20” indicates that the gold layer makes up 1/20th of the total metal weight. While these pieces do contain a layer of real gold, they do not hold the same melt value as solid gold items.

• Why is some of my silver marked ‘925’ or ‘Sterling’?

“Sterling Silver” is a hallmark of quality meaning the item is 92.5% pure silver. The remaining 7.5% is typically copper or another metal, which adds necessary strength to the piece. There are also English silver marks, which can be very different.  Always check with us before you get rid of anything!

• Do I need to polish/clean my silver/silverware if it’s tarnished?

No need! Please don’t worry about polishing your silver or silverware. Just bring it as-is!

• What is the difference between sterling silver and silverplate?

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and has significant value, whereas silver-plated items have only a thin coating of silver over a base metal.
Silver-plated items often carry markings like ‘EP’ (Electro Plated), ‘EPNS’ (Electro Plated Nickel Silver), ‘Quadruple Plate’, or just ‘Plated’. There are also certain makers who only did silverplated items and not sterling. If you are ever unsure whether an item is sterling or plated, please bring it in for a professional, no-obligation evaluation—we are happy to take a look for you regardless of the condition.

• What is ‘Coin Silver’?

Coin silver is a standard often found in antique silverware or older coins. It is generally 80% – 90% pure silver, meaning it contains less silver than sterling silver but still carries value.

• What is the difference between ‘bullion’ and ‘coins’?

Bullion refers to precious metals—such as gold, silver, or platinum—that are typically in the form of bars, rounds, or ingots, and are valued primarily for their metal content. Coins – usually in the form of currency coins – may also containing precious metals, but occasionally can hold value beyond just their metal weight. We evaluate coins for both their precious metal content and their numismatic (collector) value, considering factors like rare dates, error varieties, or high-grade conditions to see if they hold value above their melt price.

• What does ‘numismatic’ mean?

“Numismatic” refers to the collector value of an item, such as a coin or medal, which may extend beyond the value of the precious metal it contains. When evaluating an item for its numismatic value, factors such as rare dates, error varieties, or high-grade conditions are considered to determine if the item holds value above its base metal melt price.

• Do you have a coin specialist (numismatist) on staff?

Yes, we do! Our staff numismatists are ready to confer with our in-store buyers to provide expert evaluations and answers regarding your coins.

• Do you evaluate coins JUST for precious metal, or do you consider numismatic value?

We evaluate for both. We consider the precious metal content as well as rare dates to identify if your coins hold value above their melt price.

• Should I clean my coins?

Please don’t!

Cleaning, polishing, or altering a coin’s surface—even with non-abrasive materials—can significantly decrease its numismatic value. It is always best to leave them exactly as they are; we prefer to evaluate them in their natural, original state.

• How do you determine the price of gold and silver?

We use current, real-time market spot prices for precious metals, adjusted for the purity and weight of your specific item. Our systems update constantly throughout the day to ensure you are getting the current market pricing.
We are fully transparent about our calculations & percentages and are happy to show you how we arrive at our offer.

• Are your scales certified?

Yes. Our scales are regularly calibrated and certified by the state/local weights and measures department to ensure 100% accuracy for every transaction.
Additionally, your items are weighed directly in front of you and do not leave your sight.

• Do I need anything besides my items to be evaluated? What should I bring with me?

In addition to the items you’d like to sell, please bring a valid, US government or state issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport). This is required by law for us to process your payment.

• How do you pay?

We pay securely by check, which can be deposited into your account immediately.

• Why can’t you pay in cash?

To comply with both the United States Anti-Money Laundering Act and applicable state laws, we do not conduct cash transactions. These regulations require strict documentation and record-keeping for the purchase of precious metals, which is why we process all client payments via check. This ensures we comply with state law as well as federal law as laid out by the AMLA (31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330).

• Can I split my transaction into multiple checks or additional transactions?

No, we cannot split a single transaction into multiple checks. To remain fully compliant with the United States Anti-Money Laundering laws laid out in the 2021 updates to the Bank Secrecy Act  as well as state laws, we must maintain clear and traceable transaction records. Issuing a single check for the total transaction amount is a standard practice that ensures we meet our regulatory obligations for transparency and auditability.

• Is my information kept private?

Absolutely. We are committed to your privacy. Your personal information is kept strictly confidential and is only used to comply with legal record-keeping requirements.