Expert Jewellery Knowledge, Shared Freely
Welcome to the South Coast Jewellers blog, your definitive resource for expert insights into precious metals, fine gemstones, luxury watches, and antique jewellery. As one of the South Coast's most trusted jewellery buying services, we are delighted to share the knowledge and experience we have built over more than two decades in the industry.
Throughout our years serving families across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Southampton, Portsmouth, and the wider South Coast, we have encountered the same questions time and again. What is my grandmother's ring truly worth? When is the best time to sell gold? How do I know whether my watch is genuine? This blog exists to answer those questions with clarity, honesty, and the kind of professional expertise that empowers you to make confident decisions.
With enhanced DBS-checked staff and full professional insurance, we bring specialist testing equipment directly to your home, so there is no need to travel with valuable items. Every valuation is free, and our pricing is based on live London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) prices, so you can be confident you are receiving a fair and transparent assessment.
What You Will Find Here
Our guides are written for both seasoned collectors and people encountering the jewellery market for the first time. We cover a broad range of topics designed to inform, educate, and help you get the best value from your precious items.
Precious Metal and Market Insights
Understanding gold, silver, and platinum markets helps you make informed selling decisions. We publish guides on how gold prices are determined, what drives precious metal markets, and how to interpret the figures that affect the value of your jewellery. Whether you are curious about selling gold or want to understand how we calculate your gold cash offer, our market-focused articles provide the context you need. You can also explore our guide to selling silver in Dorset for specialist advice on sterling silver items.
Valuation and Authentication Guides
From decoding UK hallmarks to understanding diamond grading and the four Cs and authenticating luxury watches, our valuation guides give you the knowledge to assess your own items before speaking to any buyer. We believe that informed sellers are confident sellers, and we would rather you understood exactly how we reach our figures than accept an offer on trust alone.
Specialist Selling Advice
Every type of item has its own considerations when it comes to selling. A Victorian brooch, a modern Rolex, a set of sterling silver cutlery, and a loose sapphire all require different expertise. Our specialist articles cover the nuances of each category, from getting the best price for a Rolex to understanding what happens to your diamond after you sell, helping you understand what adds value, what buyers look for, and how to present your items for the best possible return.
What We Buy
Our expertise spans a wide range of precious and collectible items:
- Gold jewellery: rings, chains, bracelets, brooches, and broken or scrap gold in any carat from 9ct to 24ct
- Silver and precious metals: sterling silver jewellery, flatware, tea sets, platinum, and palladium
- Luxury watches: Rolex, Omega, Cartier, Patek Philippe, Breitling, TAG Heuer, and other prestigious brands
- Antique and vintage jewellery: Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, and mid-century pieces
- Gemstones and diamonds: loose stones, diamond rings, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and other precious gems
- Costume jewellery: designer and vintage costume pieces from makers such as Trifari, Dior, and Chanel
If you are unsure whether we buy a particular type of item, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are always happy to discuss your pieces.
Our Free Home-Visit Valuation Service
What sets South Coast Jewellers apart is our free home-visit valuation service. We come to you. There is no need to travel to a shop, queue at a counter, or post your valuables through the mail.
Here is how it works:
- Get in touch: call us, send a message, or complete our online enquiry form to arrange a convenient time
- We visit you: one of our expert valuers arrives at your home with all the specialist testing equipment needed to assess your items on the spot
- Receive your valuation: we examine each piece carefully, explain our findings, and provide a fair cash offer based on live market prices
- Your decision: if you are happy with the offer, we pay you immediately by bank transfer or cash
Our service covers Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, the New Forest, and surrounding areas. For customers further afield, our fully insured postal valuation service means you can still benefit from our expertise wherever you are in the UK. Learn more about how our process works.
Why Trust South Coast Jewellers
Selling precious items can feel daunting, especially when they carry sentimental value. We have built our entire service around trust, transparency, and genuine expertise.
- Enhanced DBS checked and fully insured: every member of our team holds a current Disclosure and Barring Service check, and we carry full professional insurance for your peace of mind
- Over two decades of experience: our team has valued and purchased thousands of items across the South Coast, with decades of combined expertise across all categories
- Immediate payment: when you accept our offer, we pay on the spot with no waiting
- Full transparency: we reference live precious metal prices and explain our working clearly, so you can see exactly how we reach our figures
We assess every item individually, taking into account metal purity, weight, condition, maker, age, and current market demand. Unlike high street shops, we have minimal overheads so can offer significantly better prices. A hallmarked antique piece, for example, may be worth significantly more than its scrap value, and we make sure that premium is reflected in our offer. We actively encourage customers to get multiple quotes — we are confident our prices compete.
Browse Our Expert Guides
We have a growing library of in-depth articles covering every aspect of selling jewellery, watches, and precious metals. Here are some popular starting points:
- How to value your gold jewellery - the complete expert guide to gold purity, hallmarks, and pricing
- Understanding UK gold hallmarks - a seller's guide to reading hallmark stamps
- Selling your luxury watch - why box, papers, and service history matter
- The hidden value in broken gold - why damaged jewellery is still worth selling
- Estate jewellery guide for families - compassionate guidance for inherited collections
Start Your Free Valuation Today
Whether you have a single piece you are curious about or an entire collection you would like valued, we would love to hear from you. Book your free home-visit valuation or contact us to discuss your items with our friendly, expert team. You can also learn more about us and the thousands of satisfied customers we have served across Dorset and Hampshire. Just an honest assessment from a trusted local buyer.