Gold & Two-Tone
10k–24k yellow, white, and rose gold along with tri-color bangles, mixed-metal chains, and designer pieces with enamel or gemstones.
Houston Jewelry & Fine Gifts
Store Hours
Mon-Sat: 11:00-6:00
Sunday: Closed
1.800.495.2630
713.784.1000
Store Hours
Mon-Sat: 11:00-6:00 | Sunday: Closed
1.800.495.2630
713.784.1000
Sell Precious Metals in Houston | Trusted Buyers Since 1953
Families across Greater Houston sell their gold, platinum, and precious metals to Houston Jewelry for award-winning ethics, transparent pricing, and immediate payment in a private buying room at our Westheimer showroom. We purchase estate jewelry, rare coins, bullion, and specialty alloys with on-site XRF testing you can watch.
Why choose Houston Jewelry for precious metals:
- Award-winning ethics: Multi-time BBB Awards for Excellence, Texas Treasure Business Award, Congressional recognition for customer service
- Laboratory-grade testing: Thermo Scientific Niton XRF, specific-gravity scales, and Texas-registered balances perform assays within arm's reach
- Immediate payment: Same-day cash, check, or store credit with written receipts and insurance documentation
- Transparent process: Live market rates, no pressure, all quotes valid all day so you can comparison shop confidently
- 72-year legacy: Since 1953, Houston families have trusted our family-owned team for generations
Metals & Specialty Alloys We Handle
Whether you are rehoming heirloom platinum, liquidating cobalt palladium jewellery from a collection, or comparing silver offers, our metallurgists break down purity, weight, and resale considerations so you understand every number.
Why Houston Trusts Our Buyers
- Awards for integrity: Multi-time BBB Awards for Excellence winner, Texas Treasure Business Award honoree, and Congressional recognition for exemplary customer service.
- Experienced appraisers: Graduate gemologists and estate specialists perform evaluations in front of you, explaining melt values, premiums, and resale options.
- Laboratory-grade testing: Thermo Scientific Niton XRF analysis, specific-gravity scales, and Texas Department of Agriculture registered balances ensure precise readings without guesswork.
- Secure, insured environment: Private buying offices inside our 9521 Westheimer Rd. showroom with video monitoring and same-day payment.
- Transparent offers: We quote live market rates, outline our refining costs, and never pressure you to sell. Quotes remain valid all day so you can comparison shop confidently.
Looking specifically to sell gold jewelry? Visit our dedicated gold buying page to see video walkthroughs of the same process.
What We Purchase Every Day
- Scrap or broken gold jewelry, class rings, and designer pieces.
- Platinum and palladium bridal sets, lab-grown diamond mountings, and loose stones.
- Sterling silver flatware, tea sets, holloware, and commemorative medals.
- Estate coin collections, bullion bars, and certified rare coins.
- Luxury watches and fine timepieces in any condition.
How Our Buying Process Works
- Schedule or walk in: Call 713-784-1000 or stop by Monday–Saturday. Appointments ensure a private office is ready.
- We evaluate while you watch: Items are photographed, weighed, and tested on calibrated scales with XRF, specific gravity, and electronic resistance tools. We review every step with you, just like on our gold buying desk.
- Get paid immediately: Choose cash, check, or store credit toward new jewelry. We provide written receipts and, when applicable, insurance jewelry certificates documenting the transaction.
Need directions? Open Google Maps to 9521 Westheimer Rd.
License transparency: Houston Precious Metals Dealers Lic #46590 | Texas Precious Metals Registration #100308.
Platinum Reference Library
In addition to buying precious metals, we craft platinum wedding bands that are 95% pure. Use the guide below to understand the alloys and properties we rely on when fabricating new pieces or evaluating estate jewelry.
Platinum Group Metals
Six Platinum Group Metals (PGM’s): Platinum, Palladium, Ruthenium, Iridium, Rhodium, Osmium
How PGMs Are Used
- Rhodium is used in plating solutions.
- Osmium is used in the manufacture of expensive pen points.
- Palladium, iridium and ruthenium are commonly alloyed with platinum.
- Combining alloying elements creates purpose alloys to improve casting flow, color, or polish.
- Only 5% alloy content can dramatically change platinum’s hardness and workability.
Common Platinum Alloys
- 950 Pt / 50 Ru: Ideal for tubing and die-struck wedding rings; Vickers hardness 130 (210 when work-hardened). Melts 1795–1780 °C. Preferred by the Platinum Guild and used in our bands.
- 950 Pt / 50 Co: Excellent for casting with Vickers hardness 135 (up to 270 work-hardened) and slight ferromagnetism. Melts 1770–1680 °C.
- 950 Pt / 50 Ir: Softer castings (Vickers 80) but can be work-hardened; common in Germany and Japan for safety catches and pins.
- 900 Pt / 100 Ir: American favorite for hand fabrication; melting range 1800–1780 °C with Vickers hardness 110.
Platinum Alloy Standards
U.S. regulations require at least 95% platinum and 5% PGMs to label a piece “platinum.” Alloys above 95% can be stamped “PLAT” while 75–95% items must include the secondary metal (e.g., IRIDPLAT). Common American alloys include 95/5 Pt/Ru, 95/5 Pt/Co, and 90/10 Pt/Ir.
General Platinum Information
Platinum has marked life’s celebrations since ancient Egypt and Louis XVI’s court. It remains prized for its strength, purity, rarity, luster, and fashion versatility.
- Strength: Weighs 60% more than karat gold and resists material loss, making it ideal for daily wear.
- Purity: Fine jewelry typically contains 90% or 95% platinum, is hypoallergenic, and resists tarnish.
- Rarity: Ten tons of ore yield just one ounce of platinum, versus three tons for gold.
- Luster: Neutral white sheen enhances diamond brilliance.
- Style: Platinum pairs beautifully with 18k gold accents for modern designs.
Platinum Jewelry & Weddings
Designers favor platinum for its durable prongs and ability to secure legendary diamonds such as the Hope and Koh-i-Noor. Bridal couples choose it for lifelong protection of engagement rings and wedding bands.
Buying Platinum Jewelry
Modern platinum pieces often include 18k gold details. Look for markings like “IRIDPLAT” (90% Pt / 10% Ir) or “PLAT” (95% Pt). Its density and luster make platinum a wise long-term investment.
Visit our showroom to compare platinum alloys, sell precious metals, or commission new jewelry—our experts will guide you every step of the way.
We are a company of Distinction
Precious Metal Properties & Specifications
Precious metals used in jewelry each possess unique properties affecting durability, appearance, and value. Understanding these characteristics helps you choose metals matching your lifestyle and preferences.
Platinum: Exceptionally durable, dense metal (95% purity in jewelry). Hypoallergenic, maintains polished appearance, most expensive precious metal.
Gold (14K): 58.3% pure gold alloyed with copper and other metals. Durable, warm appearance, widely available, moderately priced.
Gold (18K): 75% pure gold alloyed with copper and other metals. More pure than 14K, softer, warmer color, premium pricing.
Silver: 92.5% pure silver alloyed with copper (sterling). Beautiful appearance, softer than gold, requires regular polishing.
Metal Purity Standards & Marking
Purity standards ensure consumers understand exactly what they're purchasing. Proper hallmarking verifies metal content and provides confidence in jewelry authenticity.
Gold Karat Markings: 24K (pure), 22K, 18K, 14K, 10K. Higher karats contain more pure gold but are softer.
Platinum Markings: 950 (95% pure), 900, 850. Platinum pieces are typically marked with purity percentage rather than karatage.
Silver Markings: 925 (sterling), 900, 800. Sterling silver is the standard for fine jewelry and contains 92.5% pure silver.
Hallmark Significance: Hallmarks indicate metal type, purity, and maker. Professional hallmarking protects consumer interests and verifies quality.
Precious Metal Durability Comparison
Different metals exhibit varying durability and longevity characteristics. Understanding durability helps you select metals matching your activity level and daily wear requirements.
Platinum Durability: Exceptionally durable, resistant to scratching, maintains structural integrity for lifetime wear. Most durable precious metal.
Gold Durability: 14K and 18K gold are durable for daily wear. 14K is slightly harder than 18K due to alloy composition.
Silver Durability: Softer than gold, more prone to scratching and bending. Better for occasional wear or display pieces.
Repair & Maintenance: All precious metals can be repaired by skilled jewelers. Platinum is easiest to work with; silver repairs require most expertise.
Precious Metal FAQs
Is platinum worth the extra cost?
Platinum's superior durability and hypoallergenic properties justify premium pricing for daily wear jewelry and sensitive skin.
What's the difference between 14K and 18K gold?
14K is 58.3% gold (slightly harder); 18K is 75% gold (softer, warmer color). Both are durable for daily wear.
Can I mix metals in jewelry?
Yes! Two-tone and tri-color jewelry combining metals are popular and visually striking.
How often should I have precious metal jewelry cleaned?
Professional cleaning 2-3 times yearly maintains appearance. Silver requires more frequent polishing than gold or platinum.
Can I resize precious metal jewelry?
Yes, all precious metal jewelry can be resized by skilled jewelers. The process maintains metal integrity and structural quality.