Need to sell gold in Cranston? Rhode Island’s third-largest city offers excellent options for converting your unwanted gold jewelry, coins, and precious metals into cash. Whether you inherited jewelry pieces you will never wear, discovered old gold coins tucked away, have broken gold chains collecting dust, or simply want to capitalize on current gold prices, Cranston and the surrounding area provide numerous reputable buyers who pay fair market value. This guide covers the best places to sell gold in Cranston, from family-owned jewelry stores with decades of experience to specialized coin dealers and convenient online buyers. You will learn how to maximize your return, what to watch for when selling gold, and how to avoid common pitfalls in the gold buying market.
Best Places to Sell Gold in Cranston
Local Gold Buyers and Jewelry Stores
Providence Diamond Company at 105 Hillside Road in Garden City Center has been serving Rhode Island since 1984 and stands as one of the most established luxury jewelers in the state. Founded by Peter and Marcia Pritsker, the company is now operated by the second generation of the family. Providence Diamond buys gold, silver, diamonds, and estate jewelry, conducting all evaluations in a private room where their expert buyer carefully examines items for quality, condition, and special attributes. They provide both cash and check offers, and also offer the opportunity to trade in the value of your items toward merchandise in their store. With over 40 years in business, Providence Diamond has built a reputation for professionalism and fair pricing. The company emphasizes that all jewelry should be weighed in front of you and advises never letting your jewelry out of your sight, demonstrating their commitment to transparency.
Roman Jewelers at 1279 Cranston Street has been at its current location since 1995. This family-owned business started focusing on jewelry sales but has since shifted its primary focus to jewelry purchasing. Roman Jewelers buys fine diamond, gold, and silver jewelry at competitive prices, purchasing rings, earrings, watches (including Rolex), and various gold pieces. The business is licensed, bonded, and insured, and provides an upscale selling atmosphere for customer comfort. Their experienced jewelers evaluate your jewelry accurately by separating items based on karats or metal types, weighing the jewelry in front of you, and offering a price immediately. If you accept their offer, they can pay you in cash or with a check on the spot. No appointment is necessary, though calling ahead to confirm availability is recommended.
New England Coin Exchange at 1053 Park Avenue carries a complete array of U.S., foreign, and ancient coins and has been serving Rhode Island for over 30 years. This family-owned shop provides free written appraisals and identification services for U.S. and foreign coins. As a PCGS and NGC authorized dealer, they offer professional grading submission services, which adds credibility to their evaluations. Owner David is frequently praised in customer reviews for his extensive knowledge and honest dealings. New England Coin Exchange buys gold and silver coins, scrap gold jewelry, and provides detailed information so customers can compare prices anywhere. They emphasize transparency and encourage customers to shop around before selling, demonstrating confidence in their competitive offers.
Arlington Coin Company at 140 Gansett Avenue specializes in precious metals and has become one of the largest and best silver and gold dealers in Rhode Island over its three decades in business. Arlington Coin buys all types of gold and silver coins, scrap gold jewelry (broken pieces are acceptable), flatware, and hollowware. They also carry Franklin Mint silver rounds, silver bullion bars, paper currency, silver dollars, and various U.S. coinage including Indian pennies and half dollars. Arlington Coin pays top dollar even when current gold and silver prices are low, and their focus on precious metals bullion means they are particularly knowledgeable about market pricing. Owner David is consistently praised in reviews for fair treatment and expertise in evaluating both coins and jewelry.
Online Gold Buyers (Ship from Cranston)
If you prefer comparing multiple offers without driving around Cranston, online gold buyers provide a convenient alternative. These companies send insured shipping materials to your door, evaluate your gold at their facilities, and send payment via check, direct deposit, or electronic transfer. Most offer free insured shipping and allow you to reject their offer and receive your items back at no cost.
APMEX is one of the largest and most trusted precious metals dealers in the United States. They buy gold jewelry, coins, and bullion with competitive prices based on current market rates. APMEX provides free insured shipping labels, conducts professional evaluations using industry-standard testing equipment, and processes payments quickly once you accept their offer. Many Rhode Island residents use APMEX to establish baseline quotes before visiting local Cranston buyers, as their transparent pricing helps sellers understand fair market value.
JM Bullion specializes in buying gold and silver from individuals nationwide and has built strong credibility through transparent pricing and detailed offer explanations. They provide price locks on certain items, allowing you to secure a price before shipping your gold. This protects you from market fluctuations during transit time, which is particularly valuable when gold prices are volatile or trending downward. JM Bullion’s straightforward process and strong customer reviews make them a popular choice for Rhode Island sellers.
Kitco has decades of experience in precious metals and maintains comprehensive market information on their website, helping sellers understand current gold prices and market trends. They buy everything from gold jewelry to rare coins and provide clear breakdowns showing exactly how they calculated the value of your items. Kitco is especially good for sellers who want educational resources alongside their transactions, as their website offers tools to calculate gold value based on weight and purity.
Online buyers typically pay a higher percentage of melt value than pawn shops because they process larger volumes and have lower overhead costs. However, you must wait several days for shipping and evaluation, and payment takes longer than local transactions. The ability to get multiple online quotes and compare them against local Cranston offers gives you significant negotiating leverage when working with local buyers.
How to Get the Best Price for Your Gold
Know Your Gold’s Worth
Before visiting any gold buyer in Cranston, educate yourself about what you own. Gold purity is measured in karats, with 24 karat representing pure gold. Most jewelry is 10k, 14k, or 18k gold, meaning it contains other metals mixed with gold for durability and color. Your items should have small stamps indicating karat weight, typically marked as 10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, or sometimes as numerical representations like 417 (10k), 585 (14k), or 750 (18k), which indicate the percentage of pure gold content.
Weigh your gold items if possible. Kitchen scales work for rough estimates, though jewelry scales provide greater precision. Gold is measured in troy ounces (slightly heavier than standard ounces) or grams. One troy ounce equals approximately 31.1 grams. Knowing the weight and karat of your gold allows you to calculate approximate value before meeting with buyers.
Check the current spot price of gold online, which changes constantly throughout each trading day based on global market conditions. Multiply the pure gold content by the spot price to determine melt value. For example, 14k gold is 58.3 percent pure gold. If you have 10 grams of 14k jewelry, it contains roughly 5.83 grams of pure gold. No buyer pays full melt value because they must cover refining costs, testing, processing, and profit margin, but this calculation gives you a baseline for evaluating offers. Legitimate buyers should offer between 70 and 90 percent of melt value depending on quantity, purity, and their business model.
Get Multiple Quotes
Never accept the first offer when selling gold in Cranston. Getting quotes from at least three different buyers is essential for maximizing your return. Each buyer operates with different overhead costs, profit margins, business models, and current inventory needs, which means offers can vary significantly for identical items. Some buyers specialize in certain types of gold or may be more motivated to purchase based on their current stock.
Start by visiting 2-3 local gold buyers such as Providence Diamond Company, Roman Jewelers, New England Coin Exchange, or Arlington Coin Company. Then request quotes from online buyers like APMEX, JM Bullion, or Kitco. This comprehensive approach gives you leverage when negotiating with Cranston buyers.
If an online buyer offers significantly more than a local option, mention this to the local buyer and ask if they will match or beat the offer. Many Cranston buyers would rather match a competitive price than lose your business entirely. Remember that online quotes require several days for shipping and evaluation, while local buyers provide immediate payment. Factor in your need for quick cash versus potentially higher offers when deciding which route to take.
Best Time to Sell
Gold prices fluctuate based on economic conditions, currency values, inflation rates, geopolitical events, and investor sentiment. While timing the market perfectly is nearly impossible for individual sellers, you can make informed decisions by monitoring gold price trends over several weeks or months. When economic uncertainty increases, inflation rises, or stock markets become volatile, gold prices tend to climb as investors view precious metals as safe haven assets.
Check financial news websites or gold price tracking sites to understand recent trends. If you notice gold prices have recently dropped significantly and you are not in urgent need of cash, waiting a few weeks to see if prices recover might be worthwhile. However, for most people selling personal jewelry or modest amounts of gold, the more important factor is finding reputable Cranston buyers who offer fair prices based on current market rates rather than trying to predict future price movements.
If you need cash for an immediate expense, the difference between selling during a slight market dip versus waiting for a peak might only amount to a small percentage of your total value. The potential extra earnings might not justify the delay if you have pressing financial needs. Focus primarily on getting competitive offers from multiple buyers rather than attempting to time the precious metals market.
What to Look for in a Gold Buyer
When choosing where to sell your gold in Cranston, evaluate potential buyers based on these important criteria:
Transparency in testing and pricing: Reputable buyers test your gold in front of you using electronic testing equipment or acid tests and clearly explain how they calculated their offer based on weight, purity, and current gold prices. They should show you the scale reading and explain their percentage of spot price. Providence Diamond Company and New England Coin Exchange are known for this transparent approach, with Providence Diamond specifically emphasizing that all jewelry should be weighed in front of you.
Established reputation and reviews: Look for businesses with long track records in Cranston and strong customer reviews. Check Google reviews, Yelp, Better Business Bureau ratings, and ask friends or family for recommendations. Providence Diamond Company’s 40-year history, Roman Jewelers’ nearly 30 years in business, and New England Coin Exchange and Arlington Coin’s three-plus decades of operation are all examples of established reputations in the Rhode Island gold buying market.
No pressure tactics: Legitimate buyers give you time to consider their offer and never pressure you into immediate sales. Be extremely wary of buyers who use aggressive sales tactics, create artificial urgency, or make you feel rushed. Professional buyers understand you need time to compare offers and will respect your decision-making process. The family-owned businesses in Cranston generally pride themselves on creating comfortable selling environments without high-pressure tactics.
Proper licensing and credentials: Gold buyers in Rhode Island must comply with state regulations regarding precious metals transactions. Ask about credentials and licensing if you have any doubts about a buyer’s legitimacy. Roman Jewelers is licensed, bonded, and insured, while New England Coin Exchange maintains PCGS and NGC authorized dealer status, demonstrating professional credentials and industry recognition.
Fair percentage of spot price: While no buyer pays full melt value, you should expect offers between 70 and 90 percent of spot price depending on the quantity and purity of your gold, the type of items (coins versus broken jewelry), and current market conditions. Significantly lower offers suggest you should seek other buyers. Both Arlington Coin and New England Coin Exchange are noted for paying top dollar and competitive prices.
Clear payment terms: Understand exactly when and how you will receive payment. Local Cranston buyers typically offer immediate payment in cash or check, while online buyers specify their payment timeline in terms of service. Providence Diamond Company and Roman Jewelers both provide same-day payment options, making them convenient choices for sellers who need immediate access to funds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Gold in Cranston
What forms of gold do Cranston buyers accept?
Cranston gold buyers accept a wide variety of gold items including jewelry (rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings), broken or damaged jewelry, gold coins (both collectible and bullion), gold watches (including luxury brands like Rolex), dental gold, gold bars, and scrap gold of any karat. Most buyers accept gold in any condition, even if it is bent, broken, or missing stones. Coin dealers like New England Coin Exchange and Arlington Coin Company are particularly well-equipped to handle rare gold coins and can evaluate both the precious metal content and any numismatic value that collectible coins may have.
How do I know if my jewelry is real gold?
Real gold jewelry should have a stamp or hallmark indicating karat weight, typically marked as 10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, or 24k. These marks are usually found on the inside of rings, on clasps of necklaces and bracelets, or on the posts of earrings. The numbers 417, 585, 750, 916, or 999 also indicate gold content (representing the percentage of pure gold). However, stamps can be fake or worn away, so professional testing is essential. Cranston buyers like Providence Diamond Company, Roman Jewelers, New England Coin Exchange, and Arlington Coin Company use electronic testing equipment or acid tests to verify gold authenticity and purity accurately, and reputable buyers will perform these tests in front of you.
Should I clean my gold before selling it in Cranston?
You do not need to clean your gold before selling it, as buyers are only interested in the gold content, not the appearance. In fact, aggressive cleaning can potentially damage certain pieces or remove valuable markings. Buyers like Roman Jewelers and Providence Diamond Company will evaluate your gold based on weight and purity regardless of how dirty or tarnished it appears. However, if you want to clean your gold jewelry gently before selling, use warm water with a drop of mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush, then rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.
Is it better to sell gold jewelry or melt it down first?
You should never melt down your gold jewelry before selling it. First, melting gold requires specialized equipment and expertise that most individuals do not possess. Second, some jewelry pieces may have value beyond just their gold content. Designer pieces, antique jewelry, or items with gemstones might be worth more intact than melted down. Professional buyers in Cranston will evaluate your jewelry both for its gold content and any additional value it may have. Let buyers like Providence Diamond Company or New England Coin Exchange assess your items as-is to determine the best value.
What documents do I need to sell gold in Cranston?
Rhode Island law requires gold buyers to verify your identity, so you will need to bring a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or passport. Buyers must record your information as part of regulatory compliance to prevent the sale of stolen goods. You do not need original receipts, certificates of authenticity, or appraisals to sell gold, though having documentation of rare or collectible coins can be helpful when working with coin dealers like New England Coin Exchange or Arlington Coin Company. If you are selling high-value items, some buyers may request additional identification verification.
How quickly can I get paid when selling gold in Cranston?
Local Cranston buyers typically provide immediate payment on the spot. Roman Jewelers and Providence Diamond Company both offer same-day payment in cash or check once you accept their offer. The entire process from evaluation to payment usually takes less than an hour. Coin dealers like New England Coin Exchange and Arlington Coin Company also typically provide same-day payment for gold coins and jewelry. Online buyers like APMEX, JM Bullion, and Kitco have longer timelines because your gold must be shipped, evaluated, and processed. Online transactions typically take 5-10 business days from shipping to receiving payment, though this varies by company.
Ready to Sell Your Gold in Cranston?
Selling gold in Cranston gives you access to some of Rhode Island’s most experienced and reputable precious metals buyers. From established luxury jewelers like Providence Diamond Company with over 40 years of service to specialized precious metals dealers like Arlington Coin Company and New England Coin Exchange, Cranston offers trustworthy options for converting your unwanted gold into fair market value. Whether you choose local buyers who provide face-to-face service and immediate payment or opt for online buyers like APMEX, JM Bullion, or Kitco that often offer competitive prices, you have numerous paths to get the best value for your gold.
The key to maximizing your return is preparation and comparison shopping. Understand the karat weight and approximate weight of your items, check current spot prices for gold, and always get quotes from at least three different buyers before making a decision. Cranston buyers compete for your business, which works in your favor when you shop around and negotiate confidently based on informed knowledge of your gold’s value.
Whether you are selling inherited jewelry from a family estate, converting broken gold chains into immediate cash, liquidating old gold coins you discovered in storage, or simply decluttering your jewelry box and capitalizing on current gold prices, Cranston has reputable buyers ready to provide fair offers based on current market rates. Take advantage of established businesses with decades of experience like Providence Diamond Company at Garden City Center, Roman Jewelers on Cranston Street, or drive to New England Coin Exchange or Arlington Coin Company on Park Avenue and Gansett Avenue respectively.
Remember to verify that your jewelry is weighed in front of you, ask questions about how offers are calculated, and never feel pressured to accept the first offer you receive. With the knowledge provided in this guide and the FAQ section addressing common concerns, you are well-equipped to navigate the Cranston gold buying market confidently and secure the best possible price for your precious metals. Start getting quotes today from multiple buyers and turn your unwanted gold into cash that you can use for more important purposes.

Joe Meinen is the founder of LocalGoldSilver.com, a resource helping people across the United States find reputable local buyers for their gold, silver, and precious metals. With a background in digital marketing and local business research, he specializes in providing accurate, location-specific guidance for sellers in every state.
Joe has spent extensive time researching gold and silver buyers throughout the country, compiling information on local dealers, state tax laws, and pricing factors to help sellers get the best value for their items. He currently resides in Rhode Island.


