Best Gold Buyers UK 2025: Complete Review & Comparison Guide
Compare the best gold buyers in the UK for 2025. Expert reviews, price comparisons, and insider tips to get the highest prices for your gold.
London Gold Exchange Team
Expert insights from the UK's trusted gold trading platform
When you're ready to sell your gold, finding the best gold buyers UK is crucial. The difference between a reputable dealer and a questionable one can cost you thousands. We've reviewed dozens of UK gold buyers to help you make an informed decision.
Top 5 Gold Buyers UK 2025
Gold coins, bullion, and bars
95-98% of spot price<sup>1</sup>
Up to 5 working days assessment + 2 days for payment<sup>2</sup>
No minimum amount
High-value gold investments
Why we recommend them:
- ✓UK's official mint
- ✓Exceptional rates for investment-grade gold
- ✓Highest level of trust and security
- ✓Competitive buy-back rates
All types of gold, jewelry, and scrap
90-97% of spot price (estimate based on mystery shopping)
Same day payment
£50 value
Quick cash transactions
Why we recommend them:
- ✓Located in London's famous jewelry quarter
- ✓Strong customer ratings
- ✓Fast processing
- ✓Competitive rates
Location: 11 St Cross Street, London
7,377+ Trustpilot reviews (5-star average, May 2025)<sup>3</sup>
Gold coins and bullion
90-95% of spot price (estimate based on mystery shopping)
24-48 hours
£100 value
Investment gold and collectible coins
Why we recommend them:
- ✓Based in North Devon
- ✓Excellent customer ratings
- ✓Specialist knowledge
- ✓Fair pricing
1,667 Feefo reviews, Product rating 4.9/5 (June 2025)<sup>4</sup>
Investment gold and silver
85-93% of spot price (estimate based on mystery shopping)
2-3 business days
£250 value
Large gold holdings
Why we recommend them:
- ✓Established dealer
- ✓Good rates for bulk
- ✓Professional service
Jewelry, watches, and scrap gold
75-90% of spot price (estimate based on mystery shopping)
Instant cash
Any amount
Immediate cash needs
Why we recommend them:
- ✓Instant payment
- ✓Multiple locations
- ✓No minimum amount
Considerations:
- ✗Lower rates than specialists
- ✗Mixed customer reviews
- ✗Service consistency varies
Recent £29.1m profit report (2024)<sup>5</sup>, benefiting from high gold prices
How We Rate Gold Buyers
We've developed our rating system based on real customer experiences and industry standards:
- • Clear, upfront pricing without hidden fees
- • Competitive rates based on current market prices
- • No pressure tactics or bait-and-switch offers
- • Years in business and track record
- • Customer reviews and testimonials
- • Professional certifications and memberships
- • Ease of selling process
- • Payment speed and reliability
- • Customer service quality
- • Proper handling of valuable items
- • Insurance coverage during transactions
- • Secure facilities and procedures
Gold Buying Process: What to Expect
Get a Quote
Most reputable gold buyers UK offer free valuations either:
- • Online using our gold calculator
- • Over the phone with approximate weights
- • In-person for precise assessment
Send or Visit
You can typically:
- • Mail your gold with insured, tracked shipping
- • Visit their physical location
- • Arrange collection for large quantities
Professional Assessment
Legitimate buyers will:
- • Test your gold's purity using electronic testing
- • Weigh items on certified scales
- • Provide detailed breakdown of calculations
Receive Payment
Payment options usually include:
- • Bank transfer (fastest for large amounts)
- • Cash (for in-person transactions)
- • Cheque (traditional but slower)
Types of Gold Buyers in the UK
Pros: Convenient, competitive rates, easy comparison
Cons: Must ship valuable items, less personal service
Best for: People comfortable with online transactions and postal services
Pros: Immediate cash, face-to-face service, no shipping risks
Cons: Often lower rates, pressure to sell quickly
Best for: Emergency cash needs and small amounts of gold
Pros: Highest expertise, best rates for quality items
Cons: May have higher minimums, selective about items
Best for: Valuable collections and investment-grade gold
Pros: Personal service, support local business
Cons: Variable expertise and pricing
Best for: Convenience and building local relationships
⚠️ Red Flags: Gold Buyers to Avoid
Warning Signs:
- ❌No physical address or contact details
- ❌Pressure to sell immediately
- ❌Quotes significantly above market rate
- ❌No proper testing equipment
- ❌Poor online reviews
- ❌Unclear fee structure
- ❌No business registration
Common Scams:
Bait and switch
High quotes that drop dramatically in person
Hidden fees
Charges for testing, handling, or processing
Fake testing
Using incorrect or rigged equipment
Pressure tactics
Creating false urgency to close deals
Tips for Getting the Best Price
Before You Sell:
- 1Research current gold prices
Current gold price: £2,449.31 per ounce6 (10 June 2025)
- 2Separate different purities
(9ct, 18ct, 22ct, 24ct)
- 3Clean your gold
To make accurate assessment easier
- 4Get multiple quotes
From at least 3-4 different buyers
During Negotiations:
- 1Ask about the testing process
And watch it being done
- 2Understand the calculations
Used to determine your payout
- 3Don't feel pressured
To accept the first offer
- 4Consider market timing
Gold prices fluctuate daily
Regional Gold Buyers Guide
The capital offers the most choice with Hatton Garden being the traditional center. Expect competitive rates due to high competition.
Strong jewelry quarter with many established dealers. Good options for both selling and buying gold.
Growing precious metals market with several reputable dealers offering competitive rates.
Smaller market but some excellent specialist dealers, particularly for collectible coins.
Current Market Conditions (2025)
Gold Price Trends
- Current price:£2,449.31 per ounce6
- Today's date:21 June 2025
- Market outlook:Strong performance expected
Monitor our price alerts for optimal timing
Economic Factors
- • Global economic uncertainty driving demand
- • Currency fluctuations impacting UK gold prices
- • Central bank policies affecting precious metals
- • Rising gold prices benefiting sellers
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I expect for my gold?
Typical payouts range from 80-95% of spot price for reputable UK buyers7 depending on:
- • Gold purity and condition
- • Type of buyer
- • Current market conditions
- • Quantity being sold
Is it safe to mail gold?
Yes, when using:
- • Fully insured, tracked shipping
- • Reputable buyers with proper procedures
- • Declared value covering full replacement cost
How quickly can I get paid?
- • In-person transactions: Immediate to same day
- • Postal transactions: 1-5 business days after assessment
- • Bank transfers: Usually fastest for large amounts
What documentation do I need?
Most buyers require:
- • Valid photo ID
- • Proof of address
- • Declaration of ownership
Making Your Decision
Choosing the best gold buyers UK comes down to three factors: price, trust, and convenience. The dealers we've reviewed offer transparent pricing and proven track records.
Quick Tips:
- 1.Use our gold calculator to know your gold's value before negotiating
- 2.Get multiple quotes - prices can vary significantly
- 3.Never accept pressure to sell immediately
- 4.Stick with established dealers from our verified list
How We Verified This Information
Company Information Sources:
- • The Royal Mint - Official website and published buy-back rates
- • Hatton Garden Metals - Located at 11 St Cross Street, London, customer reviews verified
- • Bleyer Bullion - North Devon location, Feefo verified reviews (4.9/5 rating)
- • H&T Pawnbrokers - Public financial reports showing £29.1m profit (2024)
Review Verification:
- • Customer reviews gathered from multiple platforms including Feefo, Trustpilot, and Google Reviews
- • Review counts verified as of publication date
- • Ratings based on aggregate scores across platforms
Price Data:
- • Payout percentages based on mystery shopping and customer reports
- • Current gold prices sourced from London Bullion Market Association (LBMA)
- • Processing times confirmed through company policies and customer experiences
All information verified as of publication date. We recommend confirming current details directly with each gold buyer.
References
- 1 The Royal Mint buy-back rates. 98% applies to bullion stored in The Vault; other items may receive slightly less.https://www.royalmint.com/invest/sell-your-gold/
- 2 The Royal Mint states it takes up to five working days to assess your items and a further two working days to send funds.https://www.royalmint.com/help/faq/selling-gold/
- 3 Hatton Garden Metals Trustpilot reviews.https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.hattongardenmetals.com
- 4 Bleyer Bullion Feefo reviews.https://www.feefo.com/en-GB/reviews/bleyer-bullion
- 5 H&T Pawnbrokers delivers record full-year profits.https://www.lse.co.uk/news/ht-/ht-pawnbrokers-delivers-record-full-year-profits.html
- 6 Current gold price per ounce in GBP (10 June 2025, LBMA/Bing live quote).https://www.bing.com/search?q=gold+price+per+ounce+in+GBP+today
- 7 UK scrap gold buyers typically pay 85-90% of intrinsic value.https://www.gold-investing.co.uk/scrap-gold-prices/
Disclaimer: Prices and ratings are based on market research as of May 2025. Always verify current rates and terms directly with gold buyers before committing to any transaction. Gold prices are subject to daily fluctuations.