Don’t settle for “High Street” prices (~60%). Secure 94.5% of the live spot price with Lois Bullion. Professional XRF testing, zero hidden fees, and same-day payment for estates and executors.
Managing an estate is complex enough without worrying about being underpaid for the family gold. While most high-street jewellers and “pop-up” buyers pay roughly 60% of the gold’s value, Lois Bullion pays a market-leading 94.5% of the live spot price.
We provide executors and beneficiaries with the professional XRF testing, transparent documentation, and secure logistics required for a stress-free probate process. No hidden fees. No “admin” deductions. Just a fair price for your inheritance.
4.9/5 on Trustpilot · 4,208 reviewsWe have streamlined our probate purchasing to ensure transparency at every stage. Whether you visit our Birmingham showroom or use our insured postal service, the process remains the same.
Use our live price calculator to get an instant estimate based on current market spot prices. Request your free mail-in pack, which includes pre-paid, fully insured Royal Mail Special Delivery (up to £2,500 cover).
Once your items arrive, they are opened and logged under 24/7 CCTV. You will receive an immediate notification confirming your items are secure in our vault.
Our specialists use X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology to verify the exact purity of your gold, silver, and platinum. Unlike the “acid tests” used by many high-street shops, this method is 100% non-destructive.
We provide a final offer based on our 94.5% price guarantee. Upon your approval, funds are released via instant bank transfer or cash (for in-person appointments). If you choose not to sell, your items are returned via insured post at no cost.
When valuing an estate, “approximate” is not good enough. Most high-street jewellers and “gold for cash” shops rely on outdated methods that can damage your items or under-calculate their value. At Lois Bullion, we use laboratory-grade technology to ensure every gram of your inheritance is accounted for.
The industry standard for decades has been the acid test. This involves scratching the jewellery against a stone to remove a layer of metal and then applying nitric acid. It is destructive, subjective, and often inaccurate.
We use X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers. This technology allows us to:
Most UK gold buyers pay an average of 60% of the live spot price. Lois Bullion pays 94.5%. On a typical estate collection, this difference represents thousands of pounds that belong to the beneficiaries, not the buyer.
Simple comparison (scroll on mobile).
| Valuation feature | Lois Bullion | Typical high street / auction house |
|---|---|---|
| Payout % | 94.5% of live spot price | ~60% to 80% (or less) |
| Testing method | Non-destructive XRF technology | Destructive acid / scratch testing |
| Transparency | Live calculator shows actual price paid | Often shows “spot” only, not what you receive |
| Service fees | £0 — no admin, testing or payment fees | 15%–25% seller commissions, cataloguing fees, insurance and deductions |
| Payment speed | Instant bank transfer | 14–30 days (via auction) |
| Valuation process | Tested in front of you with XRF technology | Often tested off-camera / “out the back” |
| Postal insurance | FREE* fully insured up to £2,500 | Basic cover limits or paid upgrades |
*Pre-paid postage of £9 per pack is deducted and included in the final quote.
On an inherited collection valued at £5,000, selling to a standard buyer could cost the estate £725 in lost value compared to the Lois Bullion 94.5% guarantee.
Auction houses often appeal to executors because they feel “official.” However, once you factor in seller’s commissions, cataloguing fees, and insurance, the final payout is significantly lower than the items’ actual worth.
Lois Bullion operates on a high-volume, low-margin model.
Managing an estate involves more than just finding a buyer. It requires accurate records, legal clarity, and fair communication with beneficiaries. To help executors and families manage the process professionally, we have created three practical downloadable tools.
A visual cheat sheet to help you identify purity marks before sending your items.
See how a fair market valuation should be presented for probate and estate administration.
A spreadsheet template designed to help executors record items clearly and reduce disputes.
Managing the physical assets of an estate is a significant responsibility. Below are the most common questions we receive from executors and beneficiaries regarding the valuation and sale of inherited jewellery.
Yes. For Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes, HMRC requires a fair market value as of the date of death. We provide professional, written valuations that meet these legal standards, ensuring your probate application is accurate and transparent.
Executors can often sell assets to cover immediate estate costs, such as funeral expenses or Inheritance Tax, before probate is finalised. However, we always recommend confirming this with your solicitor. We provide the transparent sales receipts required for estate accounting.
This is common with inherited items. Our XRF technology identifies the metal purity and gemstone quality without needing original paperwork. We provide a full inventory and verification for every item we process, creating a new paper trail for the estate.
Insurance valuations reflect the cost of replacing an item at a retail shop, including high retail margins. Probate valuations reflect the fair market value — the actual cash value of the items today. Our valuations provide the realistic figures required by the tax office.
We recommend using our Beneficiary Transparency Log. We provide a detailed breakdown of each item’s weight, purity, and value. This data allows you to distribute the proceeds exactly as the Will dictates, removing the risk of family disputes.
We offer a free initial assessment for all items. If you require a formal, stamped document for HMRC or legal use, we charge a fixed, transparent fee per item. Please contact us to arrange this.
Absolutely. We value inherited items primarily on their precious metal content. Broken chains, single earrings, and damaged watches still hold significant value based on our 94.5% price guarantee.
Our mail-in packs use Royal Mail Special Delivery and are fully insured up to £2,500 per parcel. For higher-value estates, we can provide multiple packs or schedule a private, secure appointment at our Birmingham Jewellery Quarter showroom.
Transparency and speed are our priorities. Once you approve our valuation, we issue an instant bank transfer. For most estates, the funds arrive in the designated account on the same day the items are processed.
Inherited collections often contain a mix of genuine gold and costume pieces. We use XRF testing to separate them with 100% accuracy. We will return any non-precious items to you via insured post, or these can be donated to our sale for Birmingham's Hospice charity.
When managing an inheritance, you aren't just looking for a buyer — you are looking for a professional partner. We don’t expect you to take our word for it. We rely on verifiable data, scientific testing, and the feedback of thousands of families who have used our service.
The difference in our payout isn't a marketing claim; it is a mathematical fact. On average, our 94.5% price promise returns 34.5% more value to the estate than typical “Gold for Cash” services or antique dealers.
| Service feature | Lois Bullion (professional) | Typical high street / pop-up |
|---|---|---|
| Payout rate | 94.5% of live spot price | ~60% to 80% (or less) |
| Testing tech | Scientific XRF (non-destructive) | Acid & scratch (destructive) |
| Security | Permanent showroom + private parking | Busy counter or public library |
| Postal insurance | £2,500 (free & included) | Basic limits or customer-paid upgrades |
| Transparency | Live price calculator showing the actual price paid | Hidden “admin” or “testing” fees |
We pride ourselves on handling estate jewellery with the sensitivity it deserves. Here is what other executors and family members say about their experience.
Your peace of mind is our priority. We have invested in industry-leading security measures to protect your inheritance from the moment it leaves your hands.
Every mail-in pack is sent via Royal Mail Special Delivery, tracked and insured for up to £2,500. For higher-value collections, we can increase cover or arrange a private courier.
All items are opened and tested under 24/7 high-definition CCTV. This provides an undisputed record of every item we receive and its condition.
If you visit us in person, you won’t be standing at a public high-street counter. Our Birmingham Jewellery Quarter showroom features a private, secure car park and a professional valuation suite.
Whether you are an executor managing a complex estate or a beneficiary seeking a fair price, we provide two secure ways to complete your valuation. Both options guarantee our 94.5% price promise and scientific XRF verification.
This is the most efficient choice for executors who cannot visit our Birmingham showroom. It is safe, tracked, and requires zero travel.
For higher-value collections or those who prefer a face-to-face transaction, visit us in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter.
If you’d like to ask something first, contact us using whichever method is easiest.
Prefer a face-to-face valuation? Visit our Jewellery Quarter showroom for a transparent in-person valuation, secure parking, and immediate payment — no appointment needed.
41 Frederick Street, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham B1 3HN
Private, secure parking on-site (ideal if you’re bringing valuables).
This guide does not constitute as financial or tax advice. Please consult your solicitor or accountant for up-to-date guidance.
Use the calculator for a fast estimate, then request a free insured mail-in pack to sell from home.
We will send you a pre-paid envelope with instructions on how to send us your items safely.
Lois Bullion
Lois Bullion
