Is Your Grandmother’s Silverware Actually Worth Anything?

Alliance Gold and Silver ExchangeBlog

Sterling silver flatware set with hallmark stamps visible

It’s usually in a felt-lined wooden box on a closet shelf, and nobody’s eaten off it since the nineties. At some point somebody asks whether it’s worth anything. Sometimes it’s worth a few hundred dollars. Occasionally it’s worth several thousand. And sometimes — genuinely — it’s worth almost nothing. The difference comes down to one thing most people can check … Read More

How to Tell If Gold Is Real: 6 Tests You Can Do at Home

Alliance Gold and Silver ExchangeBlog

Testing gold jewelry authenticity with a magnet and loupe

Someone hands you a gold chain at an estate sale. You find a ring in a drawer that doesn’t look like the others. Before you get attached to a number, it helps to know whether you’re holding gold at all. None of these tests are conclusive on their own. But together they’ll tell you pretty quickly whether something is worth … Read More

How to Identify Fair Cash for Gold Prices Near You

Alliance Gold and Silver ExchangeBlog

Gold jewelry being weighed and tested at a Fort Worth gold buyer

Most people selling gold for the first time have the same worry, and it isn’t really about the price. It’s about not knowing enough to tell whether the number they’re handed is reasonable. That’s a solvable problem. Gold pricing isn’t a mystery, and once you understand the three inputs every honest buyer uses, you can check any offer against your … Read More

Where to Sell Vintage Gold Items

Alliance Gold and Silver ExchangeBlog

Vintage jewelry can hold financial value. Searching for “cash for gold near me” often brings up various pawn shops, but finding a specialized precious metals buyer helps you receive a fair evaluation. At Alliance Gold & Silver, we provide professional evaluations in a secure environment. Here is where to sell vintage gold items: Visit a Precious Metal Buyer Searching for … Read More

Buying Gold or Silver for the First Time? Start Here

Alliance Gold and Silver ExchangeBlog

Gold and silver bullion coins and bars for first-time precious metals buyers

Most of our blog covers selling — but every week, first-time buyers walk into our Fort Worth store asking the same question: “I want to own some gold or silver. Where do I start?” Buying physical precious metals is simpler than it looks once you understand a few basics. Here’s a straightforward guide for first-time bullion buyers. Coins vs. Bars … Read More

What Do the Stamps on Your Gold and Silver Actually Mean?

Alliance Gold and Silver ExchangeBlog

alt="Close-up of purity stamps like 14K and 925 on gold and silver jewelry"

Flip over a ring or check the clasp of a necklace and you’ll usually find tiny markings — 14K, 585, 925, GF, or a symbol you can’t quite place. Those stamps tell you a lot about what your piece is made of and what it might be worth. Before you search “sell gold near me,” it helps to understand what … Read More

What to Do With Inherited Gold, Silver, or Jewelry

Alliance Gold and Silver ExchangeBlog

Inherited gold jewelry, silver coins, and heirloom pieces awaiting appraisal

You inherited a family member’s jewelry box, a coin collection, or a few gold bars tucked in a safe, and now you’re not sure what to do with it. You’re not alone — inherited gold and silver is one of the most common ways people end up owning precious metals they never bought themselves. Here’s what to know before you … Read More

Do You Have to Pay Taxes When You Sell Gold or Silver?

Alliance Gold and Silver ExchangeBlog

Capital gains taxes when selling gold and silver bullion or coins

Selling gold or silver for cash is usually simple — but if you’re selling a meaningful amount, it’s worth understanding how the sale could affect your taxes before you walk in the door. Here’s what actually triggers IRS reporting, and how any profit is taxed. Most Everyday Sales Aren’t Reported to the IRS A common misconception is that any gold … Read More

Where to Sell Gold Coins: Melt Value vs. Collector Value

Alliance Gold and Silver ExchangeBlog

Knowing Where to Sell Gold Coins

A gold coin has two possible values, and they can be very far apart. The first is melt value — what the gold in it is worth as metal. The second is numismatic value, what a collector will pay for that specific coin because of its date, mintmark, condition, or rarity. For most bullion coins these are nearly the same … Read More