First off do not sell any gold pocket watch chain as scrap unless it is in a dire condition, nearly all pocket watch chains whether silver or gold, have an above scrap value price to collectors and pocket watch dealers.
Follow my simple suggestions and you will maximise your return.
What type of gold - find out what carat gold the chains made from, normally it is be marked on each link, or hallmarked on the end rings. The majority are 9 carat, the price of 9 carat gold that you can expect from a reputable dealer is around £13 per gram, for 14 carat it's £18 per gram, 18 carat is £24 and if 22 carat it's nearly £30 per gram. So the carat of gold is of huge importance, if you are not sure what it's made of then take to a reputable jewelers to test for you.
Weight of the chain - this is self-explanatory, the heavier the chain then the more valuable, so get a good jewelers scales and write the weight down, with the carat of the chain.
Design - Pocket watch chain links vary in design, some are plain rings, or elongated, or bar shaped, oval, the links can also be hollow. The chain could be a double Albert, that has two same length chains linked in the middle with a bar and two lobster clips at the end of the chain, one for the watch the other probably for a fob, these double Albert's always fetch a higher price. You need to note the design, with the carat and weight.
Condition - is always important, many chains have been worn for years will be heavily eroded, and will not be of interest to the collector, these chains should, if you so wish, be sold for scrap, but as mentioned make sure you get the best price possible. The prices I gave above are current but they fluctuate daily, especially in these hard economic times. Historically gold always goes up in value during recessions. If the condition is good, with minimal wear, then collectors will be interested, and you will get more than scrap value.
Accessories - that is the bar for clipping on to the lapel, lobster clips for watch or fob, fobs, and sometimes pencil. The accessories will also normally be gold, might vary in carat though, but will normally have a hallmark, with the carat, the makers initials, and the date mark. You can find a compendium of hallmarks by 'Googling' gold hallmarks. Generally the older the chain then the more valuable it is, the accessories are often a good guide to the age of the chain.
Fobs - they are many and varied, the best are in gold, they can be shields that depict events, or societies, Free masons, or have personal details, the older and more elaborate fobs are the most valuable, especially if they have a gem.
So combine all the above, write all the details down, and then decide how you want to sell to get the best price possible.
Specialist auctions - some very good auctions that attract not only the dealer, but also collectors, and due to the internet, will also attract possible buyers from around the World. Do not sell to your local small town auction house, they are good to pick up bargains, and that is what your gold pocket watch chain will be, you want the major town auction house, that has an international dealers and collectors from around the World. One of the best ways to find high-profile auctions is to browse the salesroom.com, here you can find the best auctions that specialise in all sorts of products, including gold or silver pocket watches, that will also auction the chains that go with them.
Ebay - not to be ignored, it is once again a Worldwide market, your gold pocket watch chain if listed correctly will fetch way above scrap value, eBay can also be used to find out what your chain is worth. Follow these instructions, log into eBay.
Then in the description field type ' 9 ct gold watch chain' and hit search, on the left hand column find the completed listings title and click.
This will bring up all the gold watch chains that have been sold, then find the sort by box and drop down menu, at the top of the price list, drop the menu and select Price: highest first.
Now you have a complete list of chains and accessories completed in the last 30 days, from here you can easily make a comparison to your gold pocket watch chain, using all the details you should have noted down i.e. the carat, weight, design etc.
Here you will realise what you should be receiving, whether you use eBay, or not, to sell on.
If you do use eBay then make sure your chain is listed by someone who is very familiar with the listing process, it makes a ton of difference.
I cannot imagine anyone once having read this article wanting to sell any gold or silver items through dealers, forget all the 'get cash for gold' outfits they will buy at the lowest price possible - Avoid them at all costs. you can do so much better.
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