Help Center
Knowledge Base
Explore our Knowledge Base for comprehensive resources, FAQs, and expert insights to enhance your understanding of Accurate PMR's services and solutions.
Gold & Silver Bullion
- How can I buy or sell bullion? You can buy or sell bullion with Accurate Precious Metals in person at our Salem, Oregon facility, online through our shop, or by mail from anywhere in the US....
- How is bullion purity determined? Bullion purity is expressed as fineness (parts per thousand, such as .999 or .9999) or, for gold, sometimes as karats, and it is established by the mint or refi...
- What is bullion and what are its different types? Bullion is precious metal, usually gold, silver, platinum or palladium, that is valued purely for its metal content rather than for artistry, rarity or face val...
- Whats the difference between bullion coins and collectors coins? Bullion coins are valued for the precious metal they contain, so their price tracks the spot market plus a modest premium. Collector's coins (numismatic coins)...
IRA Rollovers
- How much can I put in a Precious Metals IRA? Seeking a reliable custodian & depository to securely transfer and store physical metals in accordance with IRA regulations? Contributions are limited on an ann...
- What is a Precious Metals IRA? A Precious Metals IRA is a self-directed Individual Retirement Account that allows investors to hold physical precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and p...
- What precious metals are eligible for inclusion in my Precious Metals IRA? Generally, only specific bullion and coin products are eligible for inclusion, based on purity standards set by the IRS. For instance, gold must be at least 0.9...
Jewelry
- Are diamonds in old rings worth anything? Usually, yes: the diamonds in an old ring are still worth something, but how much has far less to do with the ring's age than most people expect. A diamond does...
- Is it better to sell your jewelry to a jeweler or pawn shop? For most sellers, neither a retail jeweler nor a pawn shop is the best place to sell jewelry, because buying from the public is a sideline for both rather than...
Purchasing from AccuratePMR
- How Do I buy from APMR? You can buy from Accurate Precious Metals three ways: in person at our Salem, Oregon facility, online through our shop, or by opening a free account and orderin...
- Is investing in bullion a safe option? Bullion is widely regarded as one of the safer ways to hold wealth over the long term, but "safe" does not mean risk-free. Gold and silver have held value for c...
- Is it a good idea to buy gold as an investment? For many people, yes: gold is a sound long-term holding because it has intrinsic value that does not depend on any company or government keeping a promise. It i...
- What is the price of gold today? Today's gold price is the live spot price, which is currently around $4,166.71 per troy ounce of pure gold. That number is not fixed for the day; it moves conti...
- What kind of bullion can I purchase from APMR? Accurate Precious Metals sells the most widely recognized gold and silver bullion on the market: government-minted coins such as the American Gold Eagle and Ame...
We-Buy & Mail-in
Gold
- Can I sell my gold to a bank? In most cases, no. Retail banks are not set up to buy gold, jewelry or scrap from the public, so if you walk into a branch with a gold chain or a handful of coi...
- How much can you sell 1 oz gold for? One troy ounce of gold sells for a price tied to the live spot market, which is currently around $4,166.71 per troy ounce. What you actually receive depends on...
- How much is 14k gold worth? 14k gold is 14 parts gold out of 24, or 58.3% pure, so a gram of 14k is worth about 58.3% of the price of a gram of pure gold. With spot gold near $4,166.71 per...
- How to sell gold online? You can sell gold online from any of the 50 states through our insured mail-in program: submit a short form, receive a free prepaid mailer, ship your gold to ou...
- Who is the best person to sell gold to? The best buyer for your gold is one who tests and weighs it in front of you, pays a published percentage of the live market price, charges no fees, and is the e...
Silver
- Is it better to sell or pawn silver? If your goal is to turn silver into cash and you do not intend to get the item back, selling outright is almost always the better choice. Pawning is a loan agai...
- What is 1oz silver worth? One troy ounce of pure silver is worth the current spot price, which right now is around $57.33. That figure changes throughout the trading day, so the number y...
Diamonds
Silverware
- How much is a 12 piece set of sterling flatware worth? A 12 piece sterling flatware set is worth its total weight in sterling silver, priced against the live silver market, rather than a fixed amount per piece. With...
- How to tell if silverware is worth money? Look for a hallmark on the back of the handle or the underside of the piece. "Sterling," "Sterling Silver" or "925" means solid 92.5% silver with real melt valu...
Dental Gold
Coins
- How do you get coins appraised without getting ripped off? Getting coins appraised without getting ripped off starts with one idea: a coin's value comes from two very different places, and a trustworthy appraiser will t...
- What coins are worth selling? Coins worth selling fall into two broad categories: coins valued for the metal they contain, and coins valued for their rarity or condition. Most of the coins p...
Frequently Asked
Quick answers to what customers ask us most, with a comment from a real customer where one fits.
Trust and safety
We are a refinery that has been buying and selling precious metals for years, and we test and value your items in front of you. Our Google reviews are public, so you can read what other customers say before you visit.
“I've known the family for a number of years and they're hardworking, trustworthy people and I have no problem doing business here.”
“There's a lot of honest rapport that trust has built, so there's no doubt I would just tell them to come here.”
Our Salem showroom keeps its door locked and buzzes visitors in. It is a security measure for customers, staff and the valuables people bring in.
“I really feel safe here. I like it that you have the security. When I come in, I like it that everything is well lit.”
“One thing that I was impressed with actually is right when I came to the door because there's security. You buzz in.”
“The building itself is very secure.”
No. We give you information and an offer, and the decision is yours.
“When I first arrived, I felt that I was going to be pressured. I was not pressured. It was at my leisure, my time.”
“Very exciting, very professional, very courteous.”
Buying and selling precious metals is what we do. We are the refinery itself, not a middleman that ships your metal off to someone else, so the people testing and valuing your items are the same people who handle the metal.
“The facility is really clean and new and fresh. ... It seems very professional.”
“Very professional, not wasting time ... just straight to the point... not like a guessing game.”
Yes. Our staff test and weigh your items on the spot while you watch, and explain what they find.
“I was able to watch you classify the gold and find out the percentages that it is. You weighed it right in front of me.”
“She measured it with her little electronic gauge that told what was in it and we found out there was some gold and some other things and then they gave me a price.”
We price gold and silver from a live feed of the international metals markets, so your offer reflects the market at the moment we evaluate your items. The same live prices appear in the ticker on our website. We charge no evaluation, receiving or shipping fees when you sell.
“There's no hidden agendas you just watch what's going on and you look at the board and there's the price of gold today and you just go from there.”
Yes. Many of our customers are first-time sellers with an inherited piece or a drawer of old jewelry. We walk you through the process and explain each step, and the testing and pricing are the same for everyone.
“I don't know anything about scrap metals and they do a very good job. And I'm very happy with the outcome.”
“I had never done this before so I found the whole process very easy, straightforward, clear.”
Yes. Ask as many questions as you like, before, during and after the testing.
“If you have questions, very knowledgeable, they'll answer your questions without making you feel silly.”
“Everything was easy and explained well to me.”
We are at 1855 Hawthorne Ave NE, Salem, Oregon 97301, right off Interstate 5. Our hours are Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM PT. Get directions.
Yes. Call us at (503) 400-5608 during business hours and we will explain how selling works.
“It was great to call ahead of time and find out how it worked.”
Yes. You are welcome to stop in during business hours with your items and ask. We will test them and tell you what they are worth.
“Just walk in the door, say, "What can you do for me?" and they take care of it.”
Yes. You are never required to sell. If the offer is not right for you, you keep your items.
“It's easy, it's simple, there's no pressure. The first time I came in I asked a bunch of questions, got plenty of information.”
“I was not pressured. It was at my leisure, my time.”
Selling to us
Yes. Crowns, bridges and fillings are usually a gold alloy with real melt value, just like jewelry or scrap. See our dental gold page for details.
“I was looking for a business that would buy my dental gold and I found Accurate Precious Metals. From the start to the finish of the process, they were so informative.”
Yes. We test each item for purity on the spot and tell you what it is.
“I had some gold that I needed to know if it was real or not.”
“I find jewelry and dirt and I bring it in and he just zaps it with his gun and tells me what it is.”
Yes. We do not charge evaluation, receiving or shipping fees when you sell to us.
“They do it all for free... they check my jewelry too that I collect and they do it with never asking for money.”
Yes. We buy silver bars, rounds, coins, jewelry and silverware, in any amount.
“Today I brought in some 10-ounce silver bars to exchange for cash.”
“My first time to cash in some coins and some silver bars.”
Yes. We buy gold and silver coins and bars of any size, including American Eagles, Maple Leafs and Krugerrands. Keep any original tubes, capsules or assay cards that came with them.
“My first time to cash in some coins and some silver bars. ... Overall it's a good experience.”
“We came in to sell some gold coins for an estate.”
Yes. Families often come to us with inherited jewelry, coins and silverware. We will go through the pieces with you and explain what we find.
“I'm pleased to be a customer of Accurate Precious Metals, specifically being able to liquidate an estate and found outstanding professionalism.”
“We came to get an appraisal on my mother's estate, and that went well, ... and they took great care of us.”
Yes. We know these pieces can be hard to part with. Take your time, ask questions, and decide only when you are ready.
“I came in with some jewelry and things that I inherited and I wanted to see if I could turn things that were cluttering my drawers into some cash and I did.”
“I'm not a jewelry person. ... Very kind, very clean, well kept, everybody was very friendly.”
“This was a tough decision for me to let go of this ring, but I feel that it's in good hands.”
Bring it as it is. You do not need to sort, clean or repair anything first. We will go through it with you and test each piece.
“I told them I don't know how to present this to you. Walk me through it and I'll do the best I can. You did and we're done.”
“We sorted through the pieces I brought, ... so we made a deal and I'm very happy about how it turned out.”
“I needed to find out what type of items I had so I could sell it.”
In person, we weigh and test your items and give you an offer; the time depends on how much you bring. If you would rather not travel, our mail-in program lets you send items from home.
“You guys handled it, you know, told me what I need to know and just easy peasy.”
“Every time I've come in, I've come in to sell some jewelry... it is so easy and so quick.”
When you sell in person, you can leave with your payment the same day. Mail-in payments are usually sent about three to five business days after your package arrives, by certified check, cash or bank wire.
“They tested all the silver, and yeah, got a check the same day.”
You can bring it to our Salem refinery or send it through our mail-in program. We test every piece, show you the results, and you decide whether to sell.
“I had jewelry that I wanted to get rid of, had no one to leave it to. ... They're very friendly, nice people.”
Yes. Condition does not matter for a metal-value sale. Snapped chains, bent bracelets, single earrings and rings with missing stones all contain the metal we buy.
“I had jewelry that I wanted to get rid of, had no one to leave it to.”
Yes. We buy sterling silverware and flatware.
“It was my mother's silverware from many years ago and I just wanted to go ahead and eliminate that. I didn't need it any longer.”
“I'll be back to sell my silverware. Well, to see what it was worth, if I could sell my silverware.”
Yes. We test and weigh your items, explain what they are, and give you an offer based on the current market. You can say yes or no.
“You weighed it right in front of me and we figured out what it was worth.”
It should not be. Go at your own pace, ask anything, and decide when you are comfortable.
“I have not felt uncomfortable in any way. ... It's easy, it's simple, there's no pressure.”
“It seemed very fair and straightforward.”
When you compare buyers, ask whether you can watch the testing, whether there are fees, and whether the buyer explains how the offer was figured. We test in front of you, charge no evaluation, receiving or shipping fees, and explain our offers.
“I know that I can always trust Accurate Precious Metals.”
Buying from us
Yes. There is no membership requirement and no minimum transaction size.
“we are wanting to buy gold in small denominations so it works out great.”
“Very straightforward, quick and easy, just to maintain some value of my money.”
It is your choice. Some customers like to meet the people they are buying from, see the product and pick it up in person. You can also buy from our online shop, where orders ship insured.
“I wanted a place I could come to in person.”
“I like the idea of doing business locally where we can physically come in here and pick up our precious metals.”
Yes. Ask our staff and they will verify the item for you.
“You always verify what you're selling us and you always give us all answers I ask.”
“They weighed him, showed me they were real, did the ping test.”
Yes. We are happy to explain the basics. Our knowledge base and quick answers are also a good place to start. We do not give investment advice.
“You guys actually educated me at the same time, which was really nice because I'm new to this.”
“You talked to us and showed us a lot and educated us.”
“I didn't know much about silver, and when I left the doors, I knew quite a bit about it.”
Our online shop shows what is in stock right now, and our staff can tell you what is available in person.
“Very nice staff. Very good selection.”
“The service was great, ... and you had some in stock.”
People have many reasons: to diversify their savings, to own something tangible, or to pass something on. Metal prices can go down as well as up, and we do not give investment advice.
Our prices are built from the live market price of the metal plus a premium for the product, and the price is locked in when you buy. We charge no hidden fees, and our staff are happy to explain how a price was figured.
“I think that what went on here was all fair and square. It's right up in front.”
“I think it was a fair price.”
Our service
Calm and professional. You are buzzed in, welcomed, and helped one on one.
“Very welcoming, very professional and great environment. No high pressure.”
“I really liked it. It was comfortable. Everybody was really polite. ... They were easy to work with, friendly.”
“I was impressed with the beautiful displays of all the jewelry and the people that work here were just so friendly and knowledgeable.”
We think so, and we hope you do too. Our team tests metals and grades diamonds every day, and they are happy to explain what they find.
“Very cordial staff, really helpful, extremely helpful, I'll say.”
“The employees are very friendly ... Very informative, very helpful and very patient.”
Many do. You can read what customers say on our reviews page.
“I've really appreciated the personal attention, the honesty. ... The reason that I keep coming back.”
“We like the service and that's why we came back.”
Consistency matters to us, and long-time customers are the ones who tell us whether we are living up to it.
“Nothing has changed in all those years. It's always been friendly, welcoming, and you go away with what you needed.”
Customers tell us it is the testing they can watch, the clear explanations, the lack of fees and the reviews they can check beforehand.
“I researched in my area to sell my old used gold and more popped up, but I will read the reviews so I chose this one.”
Customers tell us they found us through an online search, our website, radio and TV ads, or a friend.
“I looked online. I found your website and I found a lot of information on the website which I really appreciated.”
“I heard about it on the radio and so I decided to look it up and come in and give it a try.”
“I saw the advertisement on TV, and I've lived here for quite a while.”
Yes. Our knowledge base, quick answers and jewelry guide explain how buying and selling precious metals works.
“I didn't know much about silver, and when I left the doors, I knew quite a bit about it.”
“I found a lot of information on the website which I really appreciated because I'm a new buyer so I wanted to have some basic education and I got that information.”
Yes. We expect first-timers to have questions. You can see the testing happen, ask anything, and walk away without selling.
“It's clean and well kept. It looks secure. When you came to the door it just felt like it was a good place to do business.”
“I was just very skeptical of online or advertisements that would send your money over the mail and all that, so I wanted a place I could come to in person.”
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