Raw gold is gold in its natural state, usually in the form of gold nuggets, flakes or dust.
Just like you can sell your unwanted gold jewelry and other items, you can make money selling raw gold you’ve found, inherited or purchased. Now is a good time to sell, as gold prices are near 2020 highs, and you may need cash, fast.
Our top choice is CashforGoldUSA, which has a best-price guarantee and no minimums. Sell your gold now >>
Here's what to know before you sell:
- Best raw gold buyer
- Other raw gold buyers
- How to sell raw gold
- How much raw gold is worth
- How to sell raw gold for the most money
Best raw gold buyer: CashforGoldUSA.com
CashforGoldUSA is the only online gold buyer we could find that accepts all weight and quality of gold — no minimum.
Why we like it:
Pricing and payment
- CashforGoldUSA guarantees they'll pay the highest price for your gold, coins and diamonds — free insured returns if you are not happy with the offer or service
- Paid out millions of dollars to sellers since being founded in 2005.
- CashforGoldUSA pays a 10% bonus for items shipped within 7 days.
Speed to cash
- Get paid within 24 hours of accepted offer, up to 3 days of requesting an offer.
Reputation
- A+ Better Business Bureau rating
- 4.6 stars on Trustpilot
- Founded in 2005
- Family owned
Safety
- 100% free door-to-door free, trackable FedEx or USPS shipping
- Free Jewelers’ Mutual insurance up to $100,000 on each shipment
- CashforGoldUSA's facility is insured by Lloyds of London
Value add
- No minimum value (other gold buyers only work with shipments of $1,000+)
- Also buys all diamonds, silver flatware, and scrap gold and silver
Read our review of CashforGoldUSA, or get an immediate, free estimate now >>
Where to sell raw gold: Other buyers:
The most common ways to sell raw gold are to pawnbrokers and gold buyers in your community. These can offer quick cash when you need it, but typically do not pay the most.
Here is a list of other raw gold buyers:
- Liberty Gold and Silver
- Luriya
- Money Metals Exchange
- SellYourGold.com
- US Gold Buyers
- APMEX
- Kitco
- JM Bullion
- American Bullion
- Goldco Precious Metals
- Gold Geek
- Gold Guys
While the quality of these raw gold buyers varies, when compared with CashforGoldUSA, they typically take much longer from inquiry to payment, most have a minimum value of $500 to $1,000 or more, and have poorer online reviews and ratings.
Check out this post for a comprehensive review of these gold buyers.
By comparison, CashforGoldUSA can get you paid within 48 hours of filling out their online form and has hundreds of positive online reviews in part because of their best-price guarantee.
Where can I sell raw gold near me?
If you search “raw gold buyers near me” or “who buys raw gold near me,” you’ll get a list of local gold buyers who will purchase your raw gold. Read reviews to make sure buyers are reputable and offer fair pricing.
Local raw gold buyers might include an area jeweler or precious metals recycler, cash for gold and silver exchange, or pawnshops.
Learn more about selling gold for the highest price in this post about selling gold.
How to sell raw gold or panned gold
1. Test and weigh your raw gold
Here’s how to test raw gold at home:
First, determine how much you have. We recommend investing in a high-quality digital scale (like this one on Amazon that sells for about $16) that will give you an accurate reading. Keep in mind that raw gold is not 100% pure, and its value will be determined by how much gold is actually present in your sample.
2. Check raw gold prices
You can see the value of your raw gold using CashforGoldUSA's gold calculator, based on the current price of gold.
3. Find a reputable buyer, compare offers and negotiate
To start your search for a good gold buyer, check Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot ratings, ask friends for recommendations and search online for other reviews to avoid getting scammed or lowballed.
If you choose to sell your raw gold online through a reputable gold buyer, the process typically works like this:
- Request a quote online through the raw gold buyer. Raw gold pricing will depend on the amount of actual gold in the pieces you send.
- The raw gold buyer will likely send you a free FedEx or USPS mailer, along with a tracking number. Most buyers will insure your gold bullion up to a certain amount (CashforGoldUSA offers free insured shipping from Jewelers’ Mutual insurance up to $100,000 on each shipment, with your item being insured for that sum by Lloyds of London while at the facility).
- The gold bullion buyer will make you an offer after they’ve received your raw gold, which you can accept or reject.
- If you accept the offer, you’ll be paid within a few days via PayPal or check. CashforGoldUSA pays within 24 hours.
- If you reject the offer, a reputable gold buyer should return your item for free via a trackable shipper.
How much is raw gold worth?
The value of your raw gold depends on the same factors as other types of gold: How much gold you have, and how pure it is. Most raw gold is about 18K and is often combined with other metals like silver, copper, and lead.
As of , the spot gold value in the United States was trading at $ per ounce, or $ per gram.
If you had a gram of 18K raw gold, it would be worth about $50, minus buyer's fees.
How much are gold nuggets worth?
Most gold nuggets are between 85% and 95% pure gold, which means you’ll get a higher price for nuggets than most other forms of raw gold.
As of , the spot gold value in the United States was trading at $ per ounce, or $ per gram.
A gold nugget that weighs 1 troy ounce at 88% pure gold would be worth about $1,700 today.
How much are gold flakes worth?
Gold flakes are also a form of high-purity raw gold, but it takes a lot of gold flakes to reach a substantial amount of gold.
Some experts suggest selling gold flakes in vials or jars on sites like eBay because they often have a higher value as a souvenir or keepsake than they do based solely on gold content.
Selling raw gold? FAQs
What is raw gold? Is it the same as natural gold?
The term raw gold, also known as natural gold or gold ore, refers to any gold alloy (mixture of gold and other metals) that is found in nature and that has not yet gone through a refining process. It can come in many forms, including gold nuggets, gold dust, and gold flakes.
What does gold look like in raw form?
Raw gold is typically bright, shiny, and dark yellow in color. The yellower the metal, the more gold it likely contains; the paler or whiter the metal, the more silver or other metals it likely contains. Raw gold with other impurities can appear in other colors, as well.
Where is raw gold found?
Gold can be found all over the world. China, Australia, Russia, the United States, Canada, and South Africa are commonly mentioned as top gold-producing countries.
Within the United States, gold has been found across the country. While California is famous for the Gold Rush of 1848, today Nevada and Alaska account for much of the gold produced in the United States.
Raw gold is commonly found in placer deposits along riverbeds and streams. Gold can also be found encased in hard rock, and is often found in Quartz veins.
How pure is raw gold?
Raw gold is 100% pure gold in its natural state, and always contains some kind of impurities.
What carat is raw gold?
When these impurities consist of other metals, the gold is considered to be an alloy. The most common metal to be found with gold is silver, but gold can also be found with copper, iron, and lead impurities.
Raw gold is commonly found as 18 karat (18K) gold. It can be as low as 14 karats in purity.
How can you tell real raw gold?
Real raw gold is very heavy, has a deep yellow luster and is not magnetic.
This video does a good job explaining how to identify real raw gold vs fool's gold:
Can you sell pure gold?
Pure gold is most often found in the form of gold bullion bars or gold coins, which are worth nearly the market value of gold.
Can you sell gold that you find?
You can typically sell your raw gold the same way that you would sell refined gold products like jewelry, coins, or bullion — though keep in mind that gold found through prospecting, or other raw gold does not fetch the same high price as government-backed gold products. Pawnshops, gold exchanges, and online gold buyers all purchase raw gold, though certain establishments may have their own policies.
Bottom line: How can I sell my raw gold for the most money?
If you want to get top dollar for your raw gold, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Don't sell too quickly — selling to the right gold buyer at the right time can get you more money. Wait until the spot price of gold is high — right now, gold prices are near record highs.
- Recognize your natural gold might have impurities and will not fetch as much
And last but not least, only work with reputable raw gold buyers like CashforGoldUSA. The company pays within 24 hours and has a highest-price guarantee.
Get your free FedEx mailer from CashforGold and qualify for a 10% bonus now >>
The value of your raw gold depends on the same factors as other types of gold: How much gold you have, and how pure it is. Most raw gold is about 18K and is often combined with other metals like silver, copper, and lead.
You can typically sell your raw gold the same way that you would sell refined gold products like jewelry, dental scrap, coins, or bullion, though keep in mind that gold found through prospecting, or other raw gold does not fetch the same high price as government-backed gold products.
Pure gold is most often found in the form of gold bullion bars or gold coins, which are worth nearly the market value of gold.
Raw gold is commonly found as 18 karat (18K) gold. It can be as low as 14 karats in purity.
Gold can be found all over the world. China, Australia, Russia, the United States, Canada, and South Africa are commonly mentioned as top gold-producing countries.
Raw gold is typically bright, shiny, and dark yellow in color. The yellower the metal, the more gold it likely contains; the paler or whiter the metal, the more silver or other metals it likely contains. Raw gold with other impurities can appear in other colors, as well.
The term raw gold, also known as natural gold or gold ore, refers to any gold alloy (mixture of gold and other metals) that is found in nature and that has not yet gone through a refining process. It can come in many forms, including gold nuggets, gold dust, and gold flakes.
Gold flakes are a form of high-purity raw gold, but it takes a lot of gold flakes to reach a substantial amount of gold.
Most gold nuggets are between 85% and 95% pure gold, which means you’ll get a higher price for nuggets than most other forms of raw gold.
Do you also buy other precious metals like silver, nickel ,zinc ,?
Hi Jelene – CashforGoldUSA and its sister site, Cash for Silver USA, both buy sterling silver – but not nickel or zinc. https://www.wealthysinglemommy.com/silver-buyers/
Here’s some info on scrap metal sales: https://www.wealthysinglemommy.com/sell-scrap-metal-near-me/
Good luck!
How can I find the price you will buy gold nuggets for on a given day. I know it’s not spot price but what is the discount price per oz if I sell my raw gold nuggets?