Gold and silver from central Iowa households
Class rings, broken chains, and a jar of silver coins from a parent’s dresser. Spot is a reference. The buyer’s bid is the offer.
Most Des Moines precious-metal leads are not bullion desks. They are estate boxes in Urbandale, a wedding set someone stopped wearing in Clive, or wheat cents and worn silver coins that surfaced while a Beaverdale house was being cleared. A photo of the pile and a guess at weight is enough to start.
Spot prices move every day and they are not a local offer. Karat, coins versus flatware, and whether anything is plated all change the bid. A partner buyer sets that number. Bring a government photo ID when you complete a sale.
Local prices vary by yard. Send a photo for a quote. The figures above are live market spot prices from gold-api, for reference only — not a local scale ticket.
Des Moines Scrap is an independent referral service that connects you with local scrap yards.
Sort gold and silver before contacting a Des Moines buyer
Keep gold jewelry, silver jewelry, coins, and flatware in separate groups. Look for stamps such as 10K, 14K, or 925, but treat them as clues rather than proof. A clasp or repair may be a different metal from the rest of a piece, and a stamp can be hard to read. Do not combine marked pieces with items you cannot identify; separate lots make questions and offers easier to follow.
Gold-plated and gold-filled items are not the same as solid gold, and their value is assessed differently. Sterling silver is commonly marked 925, while some flatware has weighted handles or stainless-steel blades that affect how much silver is present. Coin value can depend on condition, date, and collector demand as well as metal content. Avoid polishing or cleaning coins before a buyer has assessed them, since cleaning can reduce collector appeal.
Compare precious-metal offers in Des Moines with care
Ask how the buyer will identify metal content and determine the payable weight. Buyers may use tests such as an electronic analyzer or an acid test, but methods and procedures vary. Before testing, ask whether it could mark or scratch an item and whether the buyer will explain the result. A quoted amount based on a photo or description may change after in-person inspection, so confirm what is preliminary and what is final.
This site connects sellers with independent partner buyers; it does not buy precious metals or set a local price sheet. When comparing offers, ask each buyer what items are included, how purity and weight are assessed, and whether any deductions or fees apply. Bring a government photo ID to complete a sale, as noted on this page. Keep the pieces together until you understand the final offer and payment terms.
Questions
Should I remove stones from gold jewelry before getting an offer?
No. Leave stones and settings intact unless a buyer specifically asks you to prepare an item. Removing a stone can damage the setting or the stone, and the buyer may assess the metal and non-metal parts separately. Ask how stones, watches, and other attached components affect the offer.
Does a magnet tell me whether jewelry is real gold or silver?
A magnet can help sort some metal items, but it cannot verify precious-metal content. Clasps, springs, and other components may react differently from the main piece, and non-magnetic metals can still be plated or otherwise not solid gold or silver. Use it only as a rough sorting check.
Can I compare a jewelry offer directly with the spot price?
Not directly. Spot is a market reference for metal, while a buyer evaluates the actual item, its metal content, payable weight, and other factors. Ask how the offer was calculated and what assumptions it uses. A spot figure alone is not a promise of what a buyer will pay.
What should I ask about a coin before selling it for its metal?
Ask whether the buyer considers collector value as well as metal content, and whether the coin will be weighed or evaluated individually. Keep coins in their current condition and separate them by type when possible. A coin’s date, condition, or features may matter beyond its melt value.
What happens if I decide not to accept the buyer’s offer?
Ask the buyer about its process before handing over your items, including when ownership transfers and whether there is any charge for an evaluation. Review the final offer before agreeing to sell. If the amount or testing result is unclear, pause and request an explanation rather than guessing.