So lets recap:

1. Watch the gold buying video on how to sell your gold
2. Come into the store - We pay generously for your gold jewelry - see a full list of what we buy here
3. Recieve a free evaluation - Work directly with qualified appraisers, face to face
4. Accept our offer - We'll make a generous offer you can accept or decline - no obligation
5. Get paid - You get paid right on the spot. No tricky mailing.

Why Sell Your Old Gold Jewelry to Yates & Co Jewelers?

Why beware of the traveling Road Show Buyers?

Did You Know You Can Get a FREE Evaluation?

Items We Buy

Sell Us a Large Collection or a Single Item

1. How do I know I'm getting the BEST price for my gold?

The price of precious metal changes daily. We will give you the best most current price. Below is a chart that shows current prices from thebulliondesk.com.

2. What do you purchase?

We purchase fine jewelry made from precious metals: gold, platinum and palladium. The jewelry can be in any condition - broken, bent, and damaged is ok. We purchase larger diamonds, Rolex and other fine watches, sterling silver flatware, old U.S. coins, gold and silver coins, placer gold and more.

3. Is there a charge to find out what I have, and how much you will pay?

We offer a FREE evaluation of your items. This is performed while you wait and usually takes only a few minutes. There is no obligation to sell, we are happy to let you know what you have and how much we can pay you for it.

4. How much do you pay?

Most gold, platinum or palladium jewelry we purchase is for the metal value only, and is based upon the weight of the piece, since it usually gets melted down and refined. This price fluctuates daily with the price of precious metals.

5. But I paid much more for my jewelry, how can I get more?

When you purchase a new piece of jewelry you are paying for the precious metal, any gemstones, manufacturing costs, wholesaler markups, packaging and the jewelry store's markup. Unfortunately, if you sell this preowned piece to a jewelry store, gold buyer, pawn shop and the like, you are generally only going to be offered a percentage of the precious metal value. The other costs that went into the original price are difficult to recoup.

If you sell the piece of jewelry to an individual who will wear the jewelry you should be able to negotiate a much higher price than just the precious metal value.

6. What do you do with the stones in the jewelry?

Most jewelry we purchase for only the value of the precious metal (gold, platinum and palladium). If the stones are easily removable we can remove them and give them to you if you request this. However, many times the stones are set in a manner where it is difficult to remove them easily.

7. How do I know your scale is accurate?

We weigh your jewelry on a scale that is regularly inspected for accuracy and certified by the California Department of Weights and Measures. The scale has the official government seal affixed to it. Also, we weigh your jewelry where you can watch.

8. I hear some businesses pay by the gram, others pay by the pennyweight and still others by the ounce. What is the difference?

The price of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium that you hear on tv, or see in the paper, is quoted for a troy ounce.
In one troy ounce there are 31.1 grams.
Pennyweight, abbreviation dwt, is a unit of measure that most people are not familiar with today. There are 20 pennyweights per troy ounce.
If you call around shopping for prices be sure you ask if they are quoting grams, pennyweights or troy ounces.

9. What kind of experience and qualifications do you have?

The owners, Ron and Mechelle Yates, have over 22 years evaluating and purchasing collections from thousands of your friends and neighbors in the area. Our other buyers have up to 15 years experience.

In addition, Mechelle Yates is a Graduate Gemologist (GG) from the Gemological Institute of America and is a member of the National Society of Jewelry Appraisers. Scott Mackey is a Diamonds Graduate and an Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) from the Gemological Institute of America. In addition, we are members of the Jewelers of America, California Jewelers Association and the BBB.

Ron Yates has been called to testify as an expert witness in court and has appraised collections for the Drug Enforcement Agency.

10. How do I get paid?

We pay by business check. Our bank, Bank of the West, is directly across the street and they will gladly cash your check free of charge. Or you can deposit it in your bank account. We do not pay with cash for security reasons. The contact information for our bank is:

Bank of the West
3500 McHenry Ave, Modesto, CA 95356
209.521.8060

11. What is the difference between 10K, 14K and 18K gold?

.9999 pure gold is referred to as 24K. So if you were to divide 14 by 24 (for 14K) you would get .58.

That means that 14K is 58.3% pure gold, and about 41.7% of non gold alloys.

Below you will find other common karat percentages:

• 8K (common in jewelry from Mexico) - 33% pure gold 9K (common in jewelry from England) - 37.5% pure gold
• 10K (common in class rings and dept store jewelry) - 41.6% pure gold
• 14K (common in jewelry from U.S.) - 58.3% pure gold
• 18K (common in jewelry from Italy and designer jewelry from U.S.) - 75% pure gold
• 20K (common in jewelry from the Orient and India) - 83.3% pure gold
• 22K (common in jewelry from the Orient and India) - 91.6% pure gold

12. My jewelry has an appraisal. Will you pay me the appraised price?

Usually the answer is no. The purpose of a jewelry appraisal is to state the accurate description, quantity and value of the piece of jewelry in case it is lost or stolen. Your insurance company needs this to replace the item. However, the insurance companies that we have dealt with (State Farm, Jewelers Mutual, Farmers, AAA) will not pay the amount on the appraisal. The reason is that about 95% of all jewelry appraisal values we have seen in over 20 years are much too high. In fact, the appraised price is nearly always much more than you even paid for the piece! The insurance companies will use this to determine your premiums, but they are able to purchase at much lower markups.

We look at the piece and determine it's gold (or platinum, palladium) value and any WHOLESALE value for gemstones such as diamonds. And usually, unless the piece is a collectors piece like a vintage Tiffany & Co or rare item, we pay a little below the wholesale value.

13. What is required of me to sell to you?

First, you must be over 18 and the rightful owner. We do not purchase any items that we deem suspicous. You must provide valid state issued picture identification, such as a California Drivers Licence. We then must fill a form out that goes to the Modesto Police Department and the California Department of Justice. On this form we write down your name, address, birthdate, drivers license number, your height, weight, hair color, eye color. We get your right thumb print and your signature agreeing that the propery is yours and not stolen. Also, a description of the property is recorded.

The Modesto Police Department gets a copy of the form and runs your drivers license and the description of the property in their computer data base. The purpose is to try to locate any stolen jewelry. The MPD also has access to our digital survelliance camera recordings.

The above is done to protect you from criminals stealing and selling your jewelry. We do all that we can to help law enforcement authorites apprehend the criminals.

14. What is your privacy policy?

The only people who will know that you sold to us is the Second Hand Detail Dept at the Modesto Police Department. We do not share your personal information with anyone or any other business. We understand that your privacy is important and it is also important to us.