Where to Sell Gold in Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads Gold Selling Guide
Where to sell gold in Hampton Roads, and how to get a fair price anywhere.
Updated November 2026 by the Segal & Co gold buying team, Sami and Jill
Gold offers in Hampton Roads can vary by hundreds of dollars for the same pieces. This guide explains how gold is priced, what Virginia law requires, how to compare buyers and where to go in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk.
The short answer
The best place to sell gold is a buyer that tests and weighs it in front of you, explains your offer by karat, weight and price per gram, puts it in writing and pays the same day. In Hampton Roads, Segal & Co Fine Jewelers in Chesapeake does all five: free evaluations in minutes at Greenbrier Mall, a written offer you can take home, same-day payment or 25% more in trade, and a GIA Graduate Gemologist to value diamonds and designer pieces. Family-owned since 2008, voted Best of Chesapeake every year since 2019, rated 4.9 stars by 500+ Google reviewers.
Jump to
Seven questions to ask · How gold is priced · Types of buyers · Virginia law · By city · Sell, trade or redesign · FAQ
Seven Questions to Ask Any Gold Buyer
| Ask | Why it matters | At Segal & Co |
|---|---|---|
| Will you test and weigh it in front of me? | You should see the karat test and the scale reading yourself. | Yes, every piece |
| What karat and weight did you find? | These two numbers drive your offer. | Shown to you, in writing |
| What price per gram are you paying? | The only fair way to compare offers between buyers. | Shown in writing |
| Can I have the offer in writing? | Lets you compare without pressure. | Yes, good for 3 days |
| Are diamonds and gemstones included? | Scrap buyers may ignore stones or value them at nothing. | Evaluated by a GIA Graduate Gemologist |
| Do you offer more in trade? | Trade credit can be worth much more than cash. | 25% more toward a purchase |
| Are you permitted under Virginia law? | Licensed dealers follow ID, scale and hold rules. | Yes |
How Gold Is Priced
Every gold offer starts with the same math: weight × purity × the day’s gold price. Gold is quoted per troy ounce, which is 31.1 grams.
| Karat | Stamps | Pure gold | Pure gold in a 10-gram piece |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10k | 10K, 417 | About 41.7% | About 4.2 g |
| 14k | 14K, 585 | About 58.3% | About 5.8 g |
| 18k | 18K, 750 | 75% | 7.5 g |
| 22k | 22K, 916 | About 91.6% | About 9.2 g |
| 24k | 24K, 999 | About 99.9% | About 10 g |
Buyers pay a share of that melt value to cover testing, refining and the 15-day hold. That share differs from buyer to buyer, which is exactly why written offers with a price per gram matter. Pieces with diamonds, gemstones or a designer name can be worth well above melt value.
Types of Gold Buyers in Hampton Roads
| Buyer | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Fine jewelers | Jewelry of all kinds, especially diamonds, gemstones, designer and estate pieces | Make sure they test in front of you and put the offer in writing |
| Coin and bullion shops | Coins, bars and rounds | Jewelry with stones may be valued only for its metal |
| Pawn and cash-for-gold shops | Speed and convenience | Jewelry is often priced as scrap; ask for the price per gram |
| Mail-in and online buyers | Sellers far from a local buyer | Your gold leaves your hands before you see an offer |
| Department and chain stores | Trade-ins during promotions | Offers may come only as limited store credit |
What Virginia Law Requires
Virginia regulates gold buyers to protect families from stolen jewelry. A precious metals dealer must hold a permit from local law enforcement and have its scales inspected, must record each seller’s photo ID, and must hold every purchase for at least 15 calendar days before selling, altering or moving it. Chesapeake’s city code includes the same 15-day hold. None of this delays your payment.
A buyer who skips these steps is a red flag. At Segal & Co, every purchase follows Virginia law and Chesapeake city rules.
What to bring
- Be 18 or older. Virginia law does not allow us to buy from anyone under 18.
- A valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or state ID. Virginia law requires ID for every sale.
- The pieces you’d like evaluated, just as they are. No need to clean or sort.
- Any paperwork you have, such as appraisals, receipts, diamond certificates, or watch boxes and papers.
Selling Gold Near You
Selling gold in Virginia Beach
Segal & Co is inside Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake, a short drive from Virginia Beach via I-64. Sellers from Kempsville, Lynnhaven, Princess Anne and the Oceanfront come for free evaluations with no appointment, evening hours until 8 p.m. on Saturdays and private in-home evaluations for estates.
Selling gold in Norfolk
From Norfolk, Segal & Co is a quick trip down I-64 to the Greenbrier Parkway area of Chesapeake. Bring your gold during showroom hours for a free test-and-weigh evaluation and a written offer.
Selling gold in Portsmouth
Portsmouth sellers reach Segal & Co in Chesapeake by way of I-264 and I-64. Evaluations are free, take just minutes for most pieces, and you’re paid the same day if you accept.
Selling gold in Suffolk
From Suffolk, Segal & Co is reached by way of I-664 and I-64. Estates and large collections are welcome; schedule a private appointment for a quieter visit.
Selling gold in Hampton and Newport News
Peninsula sellers can cross the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel or the Monitor-Merrimac and reach Segal & Co in Chesapeake. Call ahead at (757) 963-1800 if you’d like us to set aside time for a large collection.
Sell, Trade or Redesign?
Sell
Get a written cash offer and be paid the same day.
Trade
Put your gold toward new jewelry and receive 25% more than the cash offer.
Redesign
Turn a family chain or ring into something you’ll wear, with our custom design team.
Keep and appraise
Not ready to part with it? A certified appraisal documents its value for insurance or an estate.
See how we buy gold → · Estate jewelry → · Custom design → · Appraisals →
Visit Segal & Co
Segal & Co Fine Jewelers
1401 Greenbrier Parkway, Suite 1161
Inside Greenbrier Mall
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Showroom Hours
| Monday – Thursday | 10:00 am – 6:30 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am – 7:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Sunday | 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm |
Holiday hours may vary. Please call ahead around holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to sell gold in Hampton Roads?
Look for a buyer that tests and weighs your gold in front of you, explains the offer by karat, weight and price per gram, puts it in writing and pays the same day. Segal & Co Fine Jewelers in Chesapeake does all of that. It has been family-owned since 2008, voted Best of Chesapeake every year since 2019 and is rated 4.9 stars by more than 500 Google reviewers, with a GIA Graduate Gemologist on site to value diamonds and designer pieces.
Where can I sell gold in Virginia Beach or Norfolk?
Many sellers from Virginia Beach and Norfolk use Segal & Co Fine Jewelers inside Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake, a short drive via I-64. Evaluations are free, no appointment is needed, and written offers are good for 3 days.
How much will I get for my gold?
Your offer depends on karat purity, weight in grams and the day’s gold price. Buyers pay a percentage of the gold’s melt value to cover testing, refining and the 15-day hold that Virginia requires. The best way to compare is to get written offers that show the price per gram.
Is it better to sell gold to a jeweler, a pawn shop or a coin shop?
Coin shops are well suited to bullion and coins. Fine jewelers are usually the best choice for jewelry, especially pieces with diamonds, gemstones or a designer name, because a trained gemologist can recognize value that a scrap buyer may ignore. Pawn shops are convenient but often price jewelry as scrap. Whichever you choose, ask for a written offer.
Should I mail my gold to an online buyer?
Mail-in buyers can work, but your jewelry leaves your hands before you see an offer, and you can’t watch it being tested. Selling locally lets you watch the testing, compare written offers and be paid the same day.
What does Virginia law require when I sell gold?
Virginia requires precious metals dealers to hold a permit from local law enforcement, use inspected scales, record each seller’s ID and hold purchases for at least 15 calendar days. In Chesapeake, city code adds its own dealer rules. The hold does not delay your payment.
Do I need to clean or sort my jewelry first?
No. Bring it as it is. Cleaning can scratch soft gold or loosen stones. A good buyer will sort and test everything with you.
Can I trade my gold instead of selling it?
Yes. At Segal & Co, putting your gold toward new jewelry, a custom design or a repair gives you 25% more than the cash offer, used the same day or within 3 days. Some families have their own gold made into a new piece.
What should I bring to sell gold?
Your jewelry, a valid government-issued photo ID and any receipts, appraisals or diamond certificates. Sellers must be 18 or older.
More local answers in our Hampton Roads Jewelry Guide.
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