If you are ready to sell gold, silver, or platinum for cash, Clark Pawners & Jewelers in Lincoln Park has been buying precious metals from Chicago neighbors for years. Walk in with what you have, sit at the counter with one of our jewelers, and leave with a written cash offer the same day. The evaluation is free, the math is shown, and there is no obligation to sell.
Bring your gold, silver, or silverware to our Lincoln Park counter for a free evaluation.
Call 773-528-7900 or contact us before you visit. Walk in during business hours, no appointment needed.
What to expect when you bring metal to Clark
- 2626 N Clark Street in Lincoln Park, open to walk-ins during business hours
- A free evaluation done at the counter, in front of you, with the math shown
- A written offer and no obligation to sell
- 4.7 stars from 135 Google reviews
What we buy
We buy precious metals across all three categories: gold, silver, and platinum.
Gold: chains, rings, bracelets, pendants, charms, and earrings in 10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, and 24k. Gold coins and bullion. Broken pieces and single earrings.
Silver: sterling silver jewelry (.925), fine silver pieces (.999), coin silver (around .900), silver flatware and serving pieces, and silver coins.
Platinum: platinum rings and settings, pendants, and bracelets, usually marked 850, 900, or 950.
If your piece does not fit one of these categories, bring it in. The evaluation is free, and there is no obligation to sell.
How an evaluation works
Walk in any time during business hours. The evaluation happens at our counter, in front of you, and the piece never leaves your sight.
The process is the same for every metal, and it is short:
- We look at the piece. We check it for maker marks, purity stamps, and anything that might make it worth more than its metal weight, such as a recognized maker, a collectible coin, or significant stones.
- We test it for purity. Stamps are a starting point, not proof, so we confirm what the metal actually is rather than taking the mark at face value.
- We weigh it. Weight and purity together determine how much actual precious metal is in the piece.
- We quote against current market pricing. For higher purity items like 24k gold or bullion coins the math is straightforward. For mixed pieces like a sterling ring with a small diamond, we explain each part of the offer separately.
- We write the offer down. You decide whether to accept, walk away, or come back later.
We do not pressure, and we do not talk a piece down to lower the offer. If you want to think about it, the offer is yours to take home.
Selling gold in Chicago
Gold is one of the most common categories we see. Most of what walks through our door is jewelry: chains, rings, charms, and pendants in 10k, 14k, and 18k. We also see scrap from broken pieces, gold coins, and occasional bullion.
The offer on a gold piece comes from three numbers: the karat (10k through 24k), the weight, and the gold market the day you visit. Higher karat means a higher percentage of pure gold by weight, which means a higher offer for the same gram count. Stones add value when they are diamonds or significant gemstones. Smaller or damaged stones are part of the offer but do not subtract from it.
For a deeper look at current gold scrap pricing in Chicago, see our current scrap gold pricing guide.
Gold coins and bullion are evaluated against the gold market, with a small adjustment when collector or numismatic value applies. Common one ounce coins and bullion rounds usually follow predictable pricing. Older or rare coins may be worth more than the metal weight, so bring them in for an in person review.
Solid gold watch cases are evaluated like any other gold piece, by purity and weight. Selling a complete luxury watch as a timepiece is a different conversation that we handle in person.
Selling silver in Chicago
Silver follows the same logic as gold, scaled to the silver market. The three purities we see most often are sterling (.925), fine silver (.999), and coin silver (around .900). Purity, weight, and the market price on the day you visit are what set the offer.
How to tell sterling silver from silver plate
This is the single most common question we get, and it is worth checking before you make the trip. Solid sterling is almost always marked, usually with .925, 925, or the word STERLING, often on the back of a spoon handle, the inside of a ring, or the underside of a serving piece. Silver plate is a thin layer of silver over a base metal, and it usually carries a different mark or no purity mark at all.
Plated pieces are not worth what solid sterling is worth, because there is very little actual silver in them. That does not mean you should leave them at home. Bring the whole lot in, and we will sort solid from plated during the evaluation and tell you what each part is. If you would rather check at home first, how to tell real silver walks through simple tests you can run before your visit.
Sterling silver jewelry
Sterling silver jewelry is the most common thing we see. Rings, bracelets, pendants, signed pieces from major makers, broken chains, single earrings, and clasps all get the same evaluation: purity, weight, and market price the day you visit.
Condition matters less than people expect. A bent bracelet or a chain with a broken clasp is still sterling, and it is still weighed and evaluated the same way as an intact piece.
Silver flatware and serving pieces
Silver flatware and serving pieces are welcome, and they are one of the categories most often left sitting in a drawer. Solid sterling flatware is purchased for the silver content, evaluated by weight and purity like any other sterling item.
Your set does not need to be complete. Odd forks, a handful of spoons, a single serving piece, or the remains of a set that was split between family members are all evaluated the same way. Mismatched patterns are fine. Missing pieces are fine.
Pattern and maker can matter on top of the metal. Flatware from a recognized maker such as Gorham or Reed & Barton, in good condition and in a complete set, can be worth more than the silver weight alone, because there is a resale market for the pattern itself. We look at that before quoting so a collectible set is not priced as scrap.
Silver plated flatware is a different conversation. If you are not sure which yours is, our flatware value guide covers how to tell the difference before you visit.
Unwanted, inherited, and mismatched silver
A lot of the silver we buy arrives as a box rather than a piece. Inherited jewelry nobody wears, a partial flatware set from a relative, tarnished items that have been in storage for years, or a bag of odds and ends that has been accumulating. Tarnish is surface only and does not reduce the silver content, so there is no need to clean or polish anything before you come.
Bring the whole box. We will separate what is solid sterling from what is plated or not silver at all, explain what each group is, and quote the sterling as one lot or piece by piece, whichever you prefer.
Silver coins and bullion rounds
Silver coins, including U.S. silver coins minted before 1965 such as quarters, half dollars, and dollars, plus silver bullion rounds, are evaluated against the silver spot market. Some dates and conditions carry collector value beyond the silver content, so older coins and full collections are worth an in person review rather than a quick sort by weight. Our coin buyers page covers how we evaluate collectible and numismatic pieces.
Selling platinum in Chicago
Platinum jewelry is usually marked 850, 900, or 950 to indicate purity. The offer follows the same purity, weight, and market formula as gold and silver.
We buy platinum rings, settings, pendants, and bracelets. Platinum engagement ring settings often have a diamond center stone; both components are evaluated and the offer is itemized so you can see what each piece is worth. For how the diamond itself is graded, see how we evaluate diamonds.
If you are not sure whether a ring is platinum or white gold, the marking will usually tell you. PLAT, PT950, or 950 indicates platinum. A 10k, 14k, or 18k stamp with a white finish is gold.
Broken, mismatched, and scrap pieces
Do not throw broken pieces away. Single earrings, snapped chains, bent rings, settings with missing stones, and scrap karat gold all have real value when the metal is gold, silver, or platinum. Bring the broken pile with the rest of your visit, and we will separate scrap from intact pieces during the evaluation.
Sell vs pawn for precious metals
Selling and pawning are two different transactions. When you sell, the metal becomes ours and you walk out with cash. When you pawn, the metal is collateral on a short term loan, and you can redeem it later. Selling pays more on day one because there is no risk. Pawning lets you keep the piece if you redeem inside the loan window.
Most people who walk in already know which one they want. If you are not sure, our decision guide on pawn vs sell covers the trade offs. For a broader view of selling jewelry alongside metals, see the full guide to selling jewelry in Chicago.
What to bring to your visit
Nothing complicated, and nothing needs to be prepared in advance:
- The items themselves. Bring everything, including broken, tarnished, and mismatched pieces. Sorting is our job, not yours. If you have watches, coins, or other valuables too, see the full list of what we buy.
- A government issued photo ID. This is required to complete a transaction.
- Any certificates or original packaging, if you happen to have them. These are not required, but they help when a piece is from a major designer or carries unusual marks.
There is no need to clean, polish, or repair anything first. Tarnish does not reduce silver content, and a broken clasp does not reduce the metal weight.
Visiting our Lincoln Park shop
- Address: 2626 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5:30 PM. Saturday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM. Closed Sunday.
- Phone: 773-528-7900
- Walk in policy: no appointment needed. If you have a large collection or a full estate, calling ahead helps us set time aside.
Frequently asked questions
How do you decide what to pay for gold?
The offer is based on the karat (10k through 24k), the weight in grams, and the current gold market the day you visit. Higher karat and heavier weight produce a higher offer for the same item. We show the math at the counter.
Do you buy silver flatware or only silver jewelry?
Both. Solid sterling silver flatware (marked .925 or STERLING) is purchased for the silver content. Silver plated flatware is a different conversation; bring it in and we will tell you what it is and what the offer would be. Not sure if a flatware set is sterling or silver plated? Our guide on gold-plated and silver-plated flatware value walks through the difference.
Do you buy incomplete or mismatched sterling flatware sets?
Yes. A set does not need to be complete. Solid sterling is purchased for its silver content whether you bring a full service for twelve, a handful of odd forks, or a single serving piece, and mismatched patterns are fine. A complete set in good condition from a recognized maker can be worth more than the silver weight alone, which is why we check the pattern and maker before quoting.
How can I tell sterling silver from silver plate?
Look for a purity mark. Solid sterling is usually stamped .925, 925, or STERLING, most often on the back of a spoon handle, the inside of a ring, or the underside of a serving piece. Silver plate generally carries a different mark or no purity mark at all. Marks are a starting point rather than proof, so we test every piece in person to confirm what the metal actually is.
How is platinum valued differently from white gold?
Platinum is a denser metal and is usually worth more per gram than 14k or 18k white gold. The marking on the piece is the fastest way to tell which you have. We test every piece in person to confirm.
Do you buy gold and silver coins?
Yes. We buy gold coins, bullion, silver coins, and silver bullion rounds. U.S. silver coins minted before 1965 may also have silver value. Rare or numismatic coins may be worth more than the metal weight, so bring them in for an in person review. Looking to sell rare or collectible coins specifically? Visit our Coin Buyers page for more on how we evaluate them.
Do you buy fashion or designer jewelry, or only items priced by metal weight?
This page focuses on the metal value of gold, silver, and platinum items, priced by weight, purity, and current market rates. If you are selling designer or fashion jewelry where the brand, gemstones, or craftsmanship add value beyond the metal weight, our Jewelry Buyer page covers how we evaluate those pieces.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Walk in during business hours and one of our jewelers will evaluate your items while you wait. If you are bringing a large collection or a full estate, calling ahead at 773-528-7900 lets us set aside enough time to go through it properly.
What should I bring to my visit?
The items themselves, any certificates or original packaging you have, and a government issued photo ID. Certificates are not required but they help when the piece is from a major designer or has unusual marks.
Ready to find out what your gold, silver, or silverware is worth?
Walk in to our Lincoln Park shop at 2626 N Clark Street during business hours, call 773-528-7900, or send us a message. The evaluation is free and there is no pressure to sell.
