Gold Avenue Helps Families Weigh Up Inherited Jewellery

Sooner or later, many families are handed a jewellery box after the death of a parent or grandparent and have no clear idea what to do with what is inside. It usually holds a jumble: rings that might be gold and might not, knotted chains, a brooch from decades ago and earrings that have lost their pairs. A few pieces mean a great deal to the family. Others have not been worn by anyone alive today. This November, The Gold Avenue, a buyer of gold jewellery, diamonds, luxury watches and Krugerrands based in Illovo, Sandton, is suggesting that families in this position begin with one straightforward step: learn what each item actually is before making any decisions.

These conversations tend to come up as the year closes. Relatives come together over the festive season, estates get closer to being wound up, and the family finally sits down to share out what was left behind. When everyone knows what each item is worth, those discussions become simpler and fairer.

Value first, decide later

Valuations at The Gold Avenue are free, and nobody is obliged to sell. That is what makes the process so useful for families. Everyone learns what they have, item by item, and no one is committed to anything. From there the family can decide what to keep, what to divide among relatives and what to sell.

Good Jewellery Buyers never hurry a family through this. At The Gold Avenue, each valuation is done in a private consultation room on the 8th floor of Illovo Point, with the seller sitting across the desk and every reading explained to them. Families who need time to discuss it can take the figures home and come back when they are ready.

What testing reveals

Inherited collections often mix carats, colours and metals, and older pieces are not always clearly hallmarked. To deal with this, The Gold Avenue uses a Niton XRF analyser, an X-ray machine that scans the gold and shows its exact carat content. Every item is then weighed on a gold scale in front of the client. Nobody has to guess about an older piece, and the family can see for themselves which items are gold and which are not.

The company buys gold rings, earrings, pendants, brooches, chains, bracelets and bangles, along with gold and diamond jewellery, rose gold jewellery and antique jewellery. It buys yellow, white and rose gold as well as platinum, and condition does not matter. A broken clasp, a snapped chain or a lone earring is still gold, and it is still valued.

For pieces set with diamonds, the company's diamond specialists grade and weigh the stones in full view of the seller. They have more than 25 years of experience in the diamond industry and hold certificates of accreditation from the GIA.

Tips before you visit

Families planning to Sell Gold Jewellery from an estate should bear the following in mind:

Leave older pieces uncleaned and unpolished. Bring them in exactly as they are. The testing does the work, and cleaning can harm antique finishes or loosen old settings.

Bring the whole collection in one go. Working out what each piece is forms part of the free valuation, so there is no need to separate gold from costume jewellery at home.

Check that the person selling has the right to sell. Every purchase at The Gold Avenue is FICA compliant, so the seller needs a South African ID, passport or South African driver's licence, plus proof of banking details so that payment goes into an account in their own name. With estate jewellery, sellers should be able to explain how the items came to them, and bringing any estate documents is helpful.

If in doubt, hold back the sentimental pieces. Nobody has to sell everything at once. Plenty of families sell the plain gold and hold on to a wedding ring or a much-loved brooch.

From offer to payment

When the family has decided what to sell, things move fast. Sellers can reach the team by phone, WhatsApp or online chat, or simply walk in during business hours. Those who book ahead are sent directions with photos of the entrance, parking and lift, and a room is ready when they arrive. A valuation takes minutes, and the offer is explained before anyone decides.

Families after Cash for Jewellery are paid straight after signing a one page Sale Agreement electronically. Payment is made by immediate EFT with immediate clearance across participating South African banks, or in cash, subject to compliance and the cash available on the premises. Larger cash amounts require a few business days' notice. Between the signed Sale Agreement and a traceable EFT, the family has a clear paper trail, which helps when an estate is being finalised.

A safe setting to sell

Taking a box of family jewellery across town can be nerve-racking. Illovo Point is an AAA grade office building with boom-controlled access, underground parking, and 24 hour CCTV and guarding, and The Gold Avenue does not trade over a public counter. Families are advised to keep the sale off social media and community groups and to carry their items discreetly.

The Gold Avenue is registered as a second-hand goods dealer under the Second-Hand Goods Act, is registered with the National Credit Regulator and with FICA, and belongs to the Second-Hand Dealers and Pawn Board and the Jewellery Council of South Africa. Since it opened in April 2022, it has served more than 3,000 clients and holds a 5.0 rating on Google.

Learn more at https://thegoldavenue.co.za/

About The Gold Avenue

The Gold Avenue buys gold jewellery, diamond jewellery, luxury watches and Krugerrands from Office 804, 8th floor, Illovo Point, 68 Melville Road, Illovo, Sandton, 2196. Founder and Managing Director Trent Saldsman started the company in April 2022 to offer a secure, professional and transparent alternative to the traditional pawn and gold buying trade, and it works with an extensive local and international dealer network. Trent Saldsman was a Finalist in the Absa Eric Ellerine Entrepreneur Award 2024. Trading hours are Monday to Thursday from 08:00 to 17:00 and Friday from 08:00 to 16:00, with Saturday visits by pre-booked appointment only.