I just went to our local family jewelers, needed to size my Dad's (deceased) wedding ring because I plan to wear it, and get the setting picked out for the diamond my brother gave me.
Well...I have had a sandwich bag filled with those really thin chains you sometimes get if you buy a necklace (then replace the chain because it is so puny), single earrings (maybe three?? ) Some gold flip backs I had taken off diamond earrings my DH bought me some years ago that pinched my ears (I had regular posts put in the earrings) and thats about it. I thought maybe I would get $40 or so....well, I ended up with $190!! For absolute junk!! Of course I chose to take store credit and walked out with a nice sealife anklet for summer, and a Buddah pendant. I had to pay about $12 bucks....
so if you have any old broken chains, or old gold laying around, now may be a good time to cash them in

About 2 weeks ago, there was a piece on gold on the local tv. We were going on a trip (still on it)so we did the same thing. I had a couple of rings, bracelet and earrings that we had gotten as gifts. Got $400.

Well, I must have bad luck or have gotten completely ripped off. I sent my gold to Sell Scrap Gold and Get Cash for Your Gold with GoldPaq™ and got a whopping $39 for a ring, 2 necklaces, a charm, a set of earrings, and some "scrap". I called today and am in the process of filing a complaint. Apparently, if you're gold is not evaluated as "fine jewelry" you get nothing (I did request that it be evaluated as fine jewelry). Also, they made a mistake and evaluated some of my pieces as 14K when they were actually 18K. The rep on the phone seemed pretty nice about it and said that I could have my pieces back if I am unhappy. Not sure what I'll do, I want the company to re-evaluate before I request my items back.

I think you got ripped off! As of last week, the price of gold was running around $1000/oz !!! So if anybody has anything around that doesn't mean anything to you and you need the money, now is the time to turn the gold into cash. But make sure you go to a reputable dealer/jeweler.

Personally I would take my gold to a local jeweler. At least you know the reputation of the guy in your community.

I have some things, but what exactly do I do or how do I know what is worth even taking in? I didn't realize I could just go to a local jewler. Any help is much appreciated

Yes - I know what the price of gold is!!! Anyway, if I don't get my gold back I plan to go to the BBB. I'll keep you guys posted.

I second the local jeweler...they are right there in the community for years and years...they wont rip you off...
I have a nice story about the jewer I use...I know these people slightly, as I worked with their neice, and had visited them sometimes with her (she also worked there part time...)
When my grandma was alive, and in her 90's (and suffering from demetia) she had a favorite crystal heart necklace. It broke, and my Aunt took the broken necklace to Rainbow's, explained the situation, and the owner REPLACED the necklace (I know it wasnt expensive, it was the idea of what she did), and they didnt even know it was my grandma!! Once I was discussing the jewelry store with my Aunt, and she told me this story, I promised after then to give these peopl every bit of what little business I had for them.
When I was still in my 20's, I would visit the store with their neice, and they had a blue diamond engagement ring...I used to pretend I couldnt get it off, and her uncle would come out of the back and tell me I had to leave my finger (he was kidding too)....nice people,
they have a website if you just want to look around...
www.rainbowjewelers.net