What We Buy
Sell Gold in Hickory, NC
Cash for 10k–24k jewelry, coins, bullion, scrap, and dental gold — priced in front of you at 1750 Startown Road.
If you are searching for a place to sell gold in Hickory, start here. Gold King buys the lots people actually walk in with: a broken chain in a bag, a few coins from a drawer, dental gold, or a full collection. One visit. One evaluation. Cash the same day if you accept.
We are a cash-for-gold buyer, not a pawn shop. There is no loan, no ticket, and no waiting period. You watch the test, hear how today’s market and the karat of each piece shape the number, then decide.
What a cash-for-gold offer is actually measuring
Online “gold price” tickers show a spot number. That is the starting line, not your payout. In the showroom we measure three things you can see: karat (how pure the gold is), weight, and whether the piece is only metal or something extra — a designer make, a dated U.S. coin, a graded holder.
Two lots that “feel” the same weight can pay differently. A 10k scrap chain and an 18k estate bracelet are not interchangeable. A common bullion round and a pre-1933 U.S. gold coin are not interchangeable. That is the gap between a melt-only quote and a specialist buyer in Hickory.
We explain those differences out loud while we test. If you want a second to think, keep the gold. The offer is optional.
Broken jewelry, scrap, and dental gold
Most gold that comes through the door is not display-case pretty. We buy snapped chains, single earrings, bent rings, mixed scrap, and dental gold — crowns, bridges, and fillings. You do not need to repair anything first, and you do not need to guess the karat at home.
Bring the lot unsorted. Picking out “the good stuff” before you arrive is how people accidentally leave value in a junk drawer. We sort karat from karat in front of you.
Gold-filled and plated are not 14k — the stamp is a clue, the test is the proof
A stamp that looks like jewelry language is not automatically a payout. 10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, and 24k (or 417, 585, 750) describe karat gold we buy. GF, HGE, GP, RGP, and “gold filled” describe a thin layer over a base metal. Those pieces are not purchased as 14k. Magnet videos and bathroom lighting do not settle it. We test in front of you and set plated and filled lots aside rather than pretending they are karat gold.
White, yellow, and rose gold at the same karat are still gold. Color is the alloy, not a different metal. White gold is not silver and not platinum; if the piece is platinum it will usually carry PT, PLAT, or 950 — that conversation belongs on our platinum page. Missing stamps are common on old chains. Missing does not mean costume, and a crisp stamp does not mean we skip the test.
If a relative already “sorted the real stuff,” bring the reject pile anyway. Gold-filled and karat gold get mixed in the same kitchen drawer more often than anyone wants to admit.
Gold coins and bullion — melt is not always the whole story
We buy American Gold Eagles, Maple Leafs, Krugerrands, Buffalos, sovereigns, mint-sealed and assayed bars, and rounds. Investment pieces are straightforward: weight, purity, authenticity.
Collectible gold is a different conversation. Pre-1933 U.S. gold and coins in PCGS or NGC holders can carry premiums that a generic cash-for-gold counter never looks for. If you inherited an album, bring the album. Do not dump it into a bag of scrap until someone who reads dates and mint marks has seen it. How the four numbers in an offer work — and pawn vs buyer if you are still comparing shops.
Need silver, platinum, or a mixed jewelry box in the same trip? We buy those too — see silver, platinum, and jewelry.
Cash for Gold in Hickory
Where can I sell gold in Hickory, NC?
Sell gold at Gold King, 1750 Startown Rd in Hickory. We buy 10k–24k jewelry, scrap, dental gold, coins, and bullion. Walk-ins welcome Monday–Saturday, 9AM–6PM.
How is a cash-for-gold offer calculated?
We start with today’s gold market, then factor karat purity and total weight. Rare coins, designer pieces, and graded gold can add value beyond melt. You see the test and hear the math before you decide.
Do you buy dental gold and broken jewelry?
Yes. Crowns, bridges, fillings, snapped chains, and unmatched earrings are routine. Condition does not have to be perfect.
Do collectible gold coins pay more than melt?
Common bullion is priced from weight and purity. Pre-1933 U.S. gold, key dates, and PCGS or NGC graded coins may carry a numismatic premium we look for before we quote.
Can I sell gold without an appointment?
Yes. Walk in for standard gold lots. Call first if you are bringing a large collection or want a private evaluation.
From the Counter
Google reviews from people who sold lots like this in Hickory.
★★★★★
The wife and I just stopped in. I feel they treated us extremely fairly with the offer and pay out. The wife was very happy. Excellent customer service. I was expecting to get low balled. I guess I've watched too much TV and I was pleasantly surprised. She had stopped at a couple gold buyers and was offered anywhere between 1/2 to 2/3. The price was very fair I would definitely recommend.
★★★★★
If you want to be paid the best price on gold, Marty at Gold King is the man. I’ve shopped against his prices once in awhile just to check, he usually pays around 75–80% higher than anywhere else. I’ve been going to him for probably around 15 years, I’ve always left with a lot more $ than I expected. Today I took a gold crown that had to be removed, I was thinking maybe $75 top, nope $200. You will have $50 worth of fun talking to him, no joke.
Bring Gold to Startown Road
Walk in Monday–Saturday for a free gold evaluation. No appointment for standard lots.