We facilitate prompt and on-the-spot settlements. Depending on the mutually agreed final value, payouts are available in cash, via e-transfer, or in the form of a bank draft.

We offer a personalized and transparent approach, conducting evaluations at your convenience. Upon arrival, we'll sit down together and initiate the assessment of your items. For gold, our process begins with identifying karat marks and categorizing the gold accordingly. Any unmarked gold or items requiring further testing are examined next. Subsequently, we determine the weight of the gold and calculate the rate per gram using our current buying prices.

For coins or silver, our procedure is similar. We sort coins based on silver content and rarity, with special consideration given to key date or graded coins. Pricing for silver is determined using our real-time buying prices, and sterling silver pieces are weighed accordingly.

Silver coins are priced per dollar face value. For instance, if you have 4 silver quarters, equivalent to $1.00 in face value, this value is multiplied by our silver coin buying price. Our live and regularly updated buying prices can be viewed on our platform.

In North America, gold jewelry is commonly marked by the karat system, such as 10kt. However, in other parts of the world, gold is marked with purity indicators. For instance, if you find a ring marked "750" on the inside of the shank, it signifies 18 karat gold or 750 parts out of 1000 parts being pure gold (75% gold).

Here's a breakdown of common gold purity marks and their karat equivalents:

• 375 (9 karat)
• 417 (10 karat)
• 585 (14 karat)
• 750 (18 karat)
• 916 or 917 (22 karat)
• 999 (24 karat)

In Canada, silver coins were produced from 1858 to 1968, with varying silver content over time. The denominations produced in silver include the 5 cent (only until 1921), 10 cent, 20 cent (only in 1858), 25 cent, 50 cent, and dollar coins. The silver content transitioned from 92.5% (sterling silver) to 80%

• 1858-1919: 50 cent, quarters, dimes, and 5 cents (92.5% silver)
• 1920-1966: Dollars, 50 cents, quarters, dimes (5 cents ONLY until 1921, after 1921 5 cents were made from nickel) (80% silver)
• 1967: Dollars and 50 cent pieces were struck in 80% silver. In the first half of 1967, quarters and dimes were struck in 80% silver, and in the last half, quarters and dimes were struck in 50% silver. It's not visually distinguishable which has 80% and which has 50% silver. Coins from 1967 have slightly lower value due to the mixed silver percentage.
• 1968: Quarters and dimes struck in 50% silver but only for 6 months out of the year. Silver coins can be identified by using a strong magnet; if the coin is magnetic, it's not silver.

In the United States, silver content in coins was 90% up to 1964, including Morgan Dollars, Peace Dollars, Half Dollars, Quarters, Dimes, and Half Dimes. From 1965 to 1969, only half dollars were made from 40% silver, known as CLAD silver. To identify US silver coins, look at the coin from its side; if you see a ring of copper, it's not silver but made from copper-nickel.

When we mention "key date coins," we're referring to coins that are exceptionally rare based on their date of minting. In the Canadian coin market, there are several notable high-value key dates. These include:

• 1875 5 cent
• 1884 5 cent
• 1921 5 cent
• 1875 10 cent
• 1884 10 cent
• 1889 10 cent
• 1875 25 cent
• 1888 50 cent
• 1890 50 cent
• 1894 50 cent
• 1904 50 cent
• 1905 50 cent
• 1921 50 cent

Additionally, one of the most sought-after Canadian key date coins is the 1948 silver dollar, often considered the king among Canadian dollar coins due to its rarity and value.

Having a coin graded by a reputable third-party organization is paramount to determining its value accurately. The subjective nature of grading between sellers and buyers underscores the importance of an unbiased assessment.

A coin's grade is primarily based on its overall wear, which can vary depending on factors such as denomination and metal content. A third-party grader not only evaluates wear but also verifies the coin's authenticity. For rare varieties, professional grading is particularly crucial to confirm their uniqueness.

For those seeking coin graders, Gold Okanagan recommends International Coin Certification Service, based in Toronto, Canada, and PCGS in the USA, renowned for their expertise and integrity in the field.

Distinguishing between gold-plated and fake gold is crucial, as they represent two distinct categories of jewelry. Fake gold is deliberately manufactured to deceive buyers, often mimicking the appearance and markings of real gold. However, as experienced and trained gold buyers, we possess the expertise, experience, and specialized testing equipment necessary to discern genuine gold from counterfeit.

Gold-plated jewelry, on the other hand, is transparently labeled and does not aim to mislead. Electroplating gold dates back to 1840, leading to the presence of antique gold-plated jewelry. Common stamps indicating gold plating include GP (gold plated), GF (gold filled), RG (rolled gold), GEP (gold electroplated), and HGE (heavy gold electroplating). Some pieces may also feature numerical markings like "1/20 12k," denoting that one-twentieth (5%) of the piece comprises 12kt gold, with the remaining 95% made from a base metal alloy.

Understanding the hallmarks on your silver pieces is essential for determining their authenticity and origin. Sterling silver is typically marked with indicators such as "STERLING," "925/1000," or simply "925." However, many sterling silver items bear a variety of hallmarks, including those denoting the silver mark, maker mark, assay mark, and date letter.

Each country follows a unique hallmarking system, making it a complex field of study. While various hallmarks may appear on silver items, those of English origin are commonly encountered. The website link provided (https://www.925-1000.com) serves as an excellent resource to identify sterling silver pieces, including details on the assay office, maker, and year of production.

Similar to gold plating, silver plating has been prevalent since the mid-1800s. Common marks for plated silver include EPNS, IS, Sheffield Reproduction, Community Plate, Rogers, EP, and EP copper. If your silver piece features hallmarks instead of words, the referenced website offers valuable insight into deciphering silver plated hallmarks.

As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, we offer a reverse return policy for your peace of mind. If you have a change of heart about your sale to us, simply notify us within 2 days of the transaction, and we will happily accept the return of your items. Upon receiving the returned items from you, we will provide a full payout in the same form as it was initially received. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we strive to ensure a seamless and hassle-free experience for all our customers.

At our establishment, we prioritize providing the best guidance for maximizing the worth of all your valuable assets. For customers with diamonds in their gold jewelry, we advise exploring private selling options first, as this often yields the highest value for their diamonds. While we specialize in dealing with gold, silver, and platinum, it's important to note that we do not buy diamonds. However, our commitment is to ensure that our customers receive the most informed and beneficial advice for their specific needs. Feel free to consult with us regarding any of your valuable assets, and we'll be happy to assist you in making the best decisions.

(We are currently not buying diamonds)

Precious metals are commodities traded globally, and their prices fluctuate continuously. The term "spot price" refers to the current price at which a commodity, such as gold or silver, can be bought or sold for immediate delivery or transaction, often referred to as "on the spot."

For gold, the spot price denotes the price of one ounce of pure .999 fine gold, while for silver, it represents the price of one ounce of pure .999 fine silver. These spot prices serve as benchmarks for pricing precious metals in various markets worldwide.

It's crucial for consumers to understand the distinction between the US and Canadian prices for precious metals.

Given that the US dollar serves as the reserve currency for global trade, including gold and silver, prices are initially quoted in US dollars. These prices must then be converted into Canadian dollars to determine the Canadian price. This conversion can be done either by checking the exchange rate and performing the conversion manually or by using websites that provide the Canadian spot price already converted.

At Gold Okanagan, we subscribe to the precious metals exchange, enabling us to furnish you with the current spot prices of gold, silver, and platinum. You can easily access these prices at the top of every page on our website, ensuring transparency and ease of reference for our customers.