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Why TJ Diamond Pays More for Your Gold in Houston Houston has no shortage of gold buyers — pawn shops, cash-for-gold stores, coin dealers, and estate buyers operate across the city. But there is a wide range in what each pays. Here is an honest explanation of why TJ Diamond consistently pays more, and why our model is structured the way it is. We Use the Gold We Buy — We Don't Just Flip It Most gold buying businesses work on a simple model: buy low from sellers, sell high to refineries or wholesale dealers. The gap between what they pay you and what they receive is their profit — and that gap is typically significant. TJ Diamond is a fine jewellery manufacturer. We use the gold we purchase from Houston sellers directly in our own production — rings, bands, and custom jewellery pieces made in our workshop. This means: We pay closer to spot price because we are using the gold directly, not reselling it for a margin. We eliminate the middleman refinery step — and the margin that goes with it. Every gram of gold we buy from a Houston seller potentially ends up in a ring on someone's hand. Lower Overhead Than Houston's Gold Chains Large cash-for-gold chains in Houston operate with high overhead costs — high-traffic retail locations, franchise fees, large staff numbers. These costs come from somewhere. They come from what they pay you. TJ Diamond operates as a focused buyer without a national franchise structure. Our overhead is lower per transaction, and that saving goes to you. How TJ Diamond Compares to Houston's Other Gold Buyers Buyer Type Typical % of Spot Paid Notes Houston pawn shops 40–60% of spot Lowest payout; broad product focus Cash-for-gold retail chains 55–70% of spot High retail overhead built into margin Houston coin dealers 65–80% of spot (coins only) Strong on coins, variable on jewellery TJ Diamond Houston Up to 90% of spot Manufacturing-direct; lower margin needed Rates above are indicative and reflect typical Houston market ranges. TJ Diamond's specific rate depends on the gold type, current spot price, and market conditions on the day of your visit. Transparent Pricing — You See the Calculation At TJ Diamond, we do not hand you a number and ask you to trust it. We show you: the exact weight in grams, the purity reading from the XRF machine, the USD spot price we are using, and the calculation formula. You can verify every number. You can pull up the live spot price on your phone right there and cross-check our figure. Transparency is not a policy for us — it is how we build the trust that keeps Houston sellers coming back.  

When you walk into TJ Diamond Houston with your gold, the first thing we do is test it. Every piece, every time — in front of you, with results you can see in real time. We use XRF (X-ray fluorescence) technology — the same method used by US government agencies, assay offices, and professional gemological labs. It is accurate, fast, and completely non-destructive. No acid. No scratching. No damage to your jewellery. What Is XRF Testing? XRF stands for X-ray fluorescence. The machine directs a small beam of X-rays at the surface of your gold. Gold atoms absorb this energy and re-emit it at a unique wavelength. The machine reads that wavelength and calculates the precise gold percentage in the alloy — within seconds. The result: an exact purity reading. 41.7% for 10k gold. 58.3% for 14k. 75.0% for 18k. 99.9% for pure 24k. No guesswork — just chemistry. Why TJ Diamond Uses XRF Instead of Acid Testing Acid testing — the older method — involves scratching your jewellery against a testing stone and applying chemicals to observe the reaction. It is imprecise, slightly damaging, and slow. XRF replaced acid testing in professional gold buying because: It is non-destructive — your jewellery is not scratched or damaged in any way. It is more accurate — precise to two decimal places rather than a rough karat estimate. It is faster — results in under 60 seconds versus several minutes per piece. It is objective — the machine gives the same result every time for the same piece. It works on plated items too — XRF immediately identifies gold plating over a base metal, which acid testing can miss. The Houston Testing Process Walk into our Houston location — no appointment required. Bring your gold and a valid photo ID. We place each gold item into the XRF machine, one at a time, in front of you. The test runs for 15 to 60 seconds per piece. You see the readout: exact gold percentage and all other metals present. We weigh each piece on certified precision scales — to the nearest 0.01 gram. We calculate your offer: weight × gold purity × today's USD spot price, minus any non-gold components. We present the full calculation on screen. You see every number. You verify it yourself if you like. You accept or decline. No pressure either way. Texas-Specific Note: Why Testing Matters Texas has a strong and active second-hand gold market. Houston in particular sees gold from many cultural backgrounds — Middle Eastern 21k and 22k jewellery, Mexican gold coins, Indian 22k pieces, and US estate gold ranging from 10k to 18k. XRF testing is the only accurate way to distinguish between these karats, especially for items without a visible hallmark stamp. Acid testing cannot reliably distinguish between 21k and 22k gold, for example — XRF can. All XRF testing at TJ Diamond Houston is free. There is no charge for testing, no obligation to accept an offer, and no minimum amount. Bring any gold you have and we will tell you exactly what it is worth today.  

Selling gold in Houston is straightforward when you know what to expect. TJ Diamond makes the process clear, fast, and fair — here's exactly how it works. Step 1 — Gather Your Gold Items Collect everything you'd like to sell — broken jewellery, old rings, inherited pieces, coins, or bullion. Condition does not affect whether we buy it. We evaluate gold by purity and weight only. Step 2 — Walk Into Our Houston Location No appointment is needed. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's licence, state ID, or passport). Texas law requires ID for gold purchases — this applies to all licensed gold buyers in the state. Step 3 — Free XRF Testing and Weighing We weigh your gold on certified scales and use XRF technology to measure its exact purity. This takes under two minutes. The test is done in front of you — no waiting, no sending items to a back room. Step 4 — Receive a Transparent Offer We show you the calculation: weight × purity × today's spot price. You see exactly where the number comes from. There is no pressure to accept, and no obligation to sell. Step 5 — Same-Day Payment Accept the offer and receive immediate payment in cash or check. The process takes 10 to 15 minutes from the moment you walk in. Houston Gold Selling Tips • Check the gold spot price before you visit — it changes daily • Bring all your gold at once — items are evaluated individually but you save a trip • Pawn shops in Houston typically pay 40–60% of value — TJ Diamond pays significantly more • Estate sales and inherited gold are welcome — we handle sensitive situations with care • Texas law: you'll need photo ID for all gold transactions  

TJ Diamond buys gold in every form in Houston, Texas — from inherited estate jewellery and broken chains to gold coins, bullion bars, and dental gold. Condition does not matter. We assess gold by its purity and weight, not by how it looks. If you are not sure whether your item qualifies, bring it in. Testing is free and there is no obligation to sell. Gold Jewellery Rings — engagement rings, wedding bands, cocktail rings, signet rings Chains and necklaces — all lengths, all styles, Cuban links, rope chains, herringbone Bracelets and bangles — solid and hollow, all widths Earrings — studs, hoops, chandelier drops Pendants and charms Brooches and pins Broken, damaged, or tangled pieces — all accepted regardless of condition Estate jewellery — inherited pieces, antique gold, vintage collections Gold Coins American Gold Eagles — 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz American Gold Buffalos Krugerrands — South African gold coins Canadian Maple Leafs Mexican Gold Centenarios and Pesos US pre-1933 gold coins — St. Gaudens, Liberty Head, and others Other international gold coins — contact us if unsure Gold Bullion Gold bars — all sizes from 1 gram to 1 kilogram Gold rounds — privately minted and generic rounds Investment-grade bullion — ask specifically for our bullion rate, which differs from the jewellery rate Other Gold Items Dental gold — crowns, bridges, inlays, and partial plates Gold watches — Rolex, Cartier, and other luxury brands with gold cases or bands Middle Eastern gold — 21k and 22k gold jewellery is common in Houston's diverse communities and is accepted at the appropriate karat rate Gold nuggets and raw gold Gold-filled items — assessed individually; a small gold content is present but significantly less than solid gold ❌ What We Do NOT Buy: Gold-plated items (thin gold coating over a base metal) have negligible gold content and cannot be purchased as gold. If you are unsure whether your item is solid gold or plated, bring it in — XRF testing will identify it in seconds at no charge. All Karats Accepted Houston's diverse population means we see gold in every karat — from 10k jewellery common in US retail to 22k and 24k pieces from international markets. We buy all of the following: Karat Hallmark Purity Common Source 10k 417 41.7% US mass market jewellery 14k 585 58.3% Most popular karat in USA 18k 750 75.0% Fine jewellery standard 21k 875 87.5% Middle Eastern jewellery 22k 916 91.7% Coins and Indian gold 24k 999 99.9% Pure gold / bullion