Looking for a fundraiser that does not require supporters to buy another product, sell coupon books or spend their weekend washing cars?
A gold and jewelry fundraiser gives supporters another option: donate old, broken or unwanted valuables they already own.
A broken chain sitting in a drawer may contain real gold. A single unmatched earring may still have precious-metal value. Old sterling silver, unwanted coins, estate jewelry and other valuables may also be worth evaluating.
Instead of asking every supporter for another cash donation, your organization can invite people to look through jewelry boxes, drawers and old collections for items they no longer want.
Gold Kings can professionally test and evaluate donated precious metals at our locations in Snellville and Commerce, Georgia.
How Does a Gold Fundraiser Work?
The basic idea is simple.
Your church, school, animal rescue, nonprofit, sports organization or community group holds a jewelry and precious-metals collection drive.
Supporters donate unwanted items to the organization. The organization keeps the donations secure and records them according to its own fundraising and accounting procedures.
An authorized representative can then bring the collected items to Gold Kings for testing and evaluation.
At Gold Kings, precious-metal items can be tested for purity, weighed and evaluated using current precious-metal prices. When appropriate, professional XRF testing can help identify the metal content without relying only on the stamp printed on the jewelry.
Your organization can review the evaluation and decide whether it wants to sell.
There is no reason to guess what a bag of old jewelry contains.
Gold Kings can test it, weigh it and explain it.
If you are planning a fundraiser, contact either Gold Kings location before collecting a large quantity of donations. We can explain what types of items are worth collecting and help you avoid spending time gathering items that normally have little or no precious-metal value.
What Can People Donate to a Jewelry Fundraiser?
Depending on your organization and the type of fundraiser you choose to hold, supporters may have many types of unwanted valuables worth checking, including:
- Broken gold chains and bracelets
- Gold rings
- Earrings and unmatched earrings
- Old wedding bands
- Gold pendants
- 10K, 14K, 18K and higher-karat jewelry
- Sterling silver jewelry
- Sterling silver flatware
- Gold and silver coins
- Gold or silver bullion
- Estate jewelry
- Dental gold
- Certain watches
- Diamond jewelry and other fine jewelry
Not every yellow-colored piece of jewelry is gold, and not every silver-colored item is sterling silver.
That is one reason professional testing matters.
Jewelry hallmarks such as 14K, 585, 18K, 750, 22K, 916 or 925 give you an important clue about possible metal content, but a stamp should not be the only factor used when real money is involved.
Gold Kings can examine questionable or unmarked pieces and explain what the testing shows.
Why Jewelry Fundraisers Can Be Different From Traditional Fundraising
Many traditional fundraisers require someone to spend new money.
A supporter may need to buy candy, wrapping paper, raffle tickets, restaurant cards or another product simply to help the organization.
A donated-jewelry fundraiser works differently.
The supporter may already have the item sitting unused at home.
That could be a broken necklace that has not been worn in years, an old class ring, a mismatched earring, an inherited piece nobody wants or sterling silver that has been stored away.
The supporter gets the satisfaction of contributing to a cause without necessarily writing another check.
The organization gets an opportunity to convert otherwise-unused property into money that can support its mission.
Church Gold and Jewelry Fundraisers
Churches are particularly well suited for this type of fundraiser because members often want a meaningful way to contribute toward a specific goal.
A church could organize a jewelry offering to help support a building project, missions program, youth ministry, benevolence fund, equipment purchase or other ministry need.
For churches that want a Biblical connection, Exodus 35:22 describes men and women bringing jewelry and gold as part of an offering for the Tabernacle.
A modern church does not need to use the jewelry itself.
Instead, members can donate unwanted precious-metal items and the church can have those items professionally evaluated.
Church leaders who want a program specifically designed around this idea can also review the Gold Kings Church Gold Fundraising Program.
The emphasis should always remain on voluntary giving. Nobody should feel pressured to surrender jewelry that carries financial or sentimental importance.
Before accepting donations, the church should also establish its own procedures for identifying donors, securing donated property and providing any appropriate donation acknowledgments.
Gold Kings can handle the precious-metal evaluation. The church should handle its own charitable contribution records and consult its accountant or tax professional about tax-deductibility questions.
School and Band Fundraisers
School groups and bands often compete with dozens of other fundraisers during the year.
Parents may already have purchased candy, calendars, discount cards, raffle tickets and other fundraising products.
A jewelry drive gives families another way to participate.
Parents, grandparents, alumni and community supporters can search for unwanted gold and silver rather than purchasing another item.
The proceeds could help support needs such as instruments, uniforms, competition expenses, travel, equipment or other approved programs.
Schools and booster organizations should follow their school system’s policies for accepting property donations and handling fundraiser proceeds.
For larger collections, having an authorized representative bring the items to Gold Kings allows the organization to see how the precious metals are tested and weighed instead of simply mailing a valuable package to an unknown buyer.
Animal Rescue and Shelter Fundraisers
Animal rescues and shelters frequently depend on community donations.
Veterinary expenses, food, medication, facilities and emergency care can create continuing fundraising needs.
A donated-gold drive can give supporters another way to help.
Someone who cannot make a large cash donation may still have an old gold ring, broken bracelet or unused sterling silver item at home.
That item may have been forgotten for years, but its precious-metal content could still have value.
Local animal organizations can collect qualifying donations and bring them to Gold Kings for evaluation at either our Snellville or Commerce location.
Community Groups, Clubs and Youth Organizations
The same idea can work for civic organizations, youth sports teams, booster clubs and other community groups.
The fundraiser can be organized around a specific goal.
For example, a group might be raising money for equipment, uniforms, travel, facility improvements or a community project.
Giving supporters a clearly defined purpose often makes the fundraiser easier to understand:
“Instead of throwing away or forgetting broken jewelry, donate it to help fund our project.”
That is a much clearer message than simply asking people to give your organization another cash donation.
Why Professional Gold Testing Matters
Two pieces of jewelry that look almost identical can have dramatically different values.
One may be gold plated.
Another may be 10K gold.
Another may be 14K, 18K or even 22K.
Weight also matters.
Precious-metal value is primarily influenced by the amount of metal, its purity and the current market price.
At Gold Kings, we regularly evaluate jewelry and precious metals using professional testing methods, including XRF testing when appropriate.
We also weigh items so the person representing the organization can understand what is being evaluated.
This is especially important when an organization is dealing with property donated by multiple people.
A fundraiser should be transparent.
The organization should be able to understand what it collected and how the value was determined.
Don’t Throw Away Broken or Unmatched Jewelry
One of the most important messages to give supporters is simple:
Broken does not mean worthless.
A gold chain does not have to be wearable to contain gold.
A ring can be bent.
A bracelet can have a broken clasp.
An earring does not need its matching partner.
A piece can be scratched, outdated or engraved.
When precious-metal value is the primary consideration, condition may matter far less than weight and purity.
That makes old jewelry particularly useful for this type of fundraiser.
Supporters can keep the pieces they love and donate the pieces they no longer use.
How Gold Kings Evaluates Fundraiser Donations
First, We Identify the Items
We separate pieces that appear to contain precious metals from items that require additional testing.
Hallmarks such as 10K, 14K, 585, 18K, 750, 22K, 916 and 925 can provide useful information, but testing can help confirm what the item actually contains.
Next, We Test the Metal
Professional testing helps determine the actual precious-metal content.
This is particularly useful with inherited, unmarked, worn or questionable jewelry.
Then, We Weigh It
The weight of the precious metal is another major part of determining value.
Organizations can see their items being evaluated rather than being left to wonder what happened after handing them over.
Finally, We Explain the Value
Precious-metal prices change with the market.
The value of donated gold or silver therefore depends on the purity, weight and current market price when the items are evaluated.
Your representative can review the evaluation before deciding what to do next.
Have Your Fundraiser Evaluated at Gold Kings
Organizations in Metro Atlanta, Gwinnett County and surrounding communities can work with our Gold Kings of Snellville location.
Gold Kings of Snellville
3635 Stone Mountain Hwy
Snellville, GA 30039
Phone: 770-771-4650
Gold Kings of Snellville is convenient for organizations throughout Snellville, Loganville, Lawrenceville, Grayson, Stone Mountain, Lilburn, Conyers and surrounding communities.
Organizations in Northeast Georgia can use our Gold Kings of Commerce location.
Gold Kings of Commerce
480 Banks Crossing Dr
Commerce, GA 30529
Phone: 706-336-0043
Gold Kings of Commerce serves Commerce and surrounding Northeast Georgia communities including Jefferson, Maysville, Homer, Nicholson, Braselton, Hoschton, Gainesville, Cornelia, Winder and nearby areas.
Walk-ins are welcome at both locations, but organizations bringing a large fundraiser collection should call ahead so we can prepare for the evaluation.
Before You Start Your Fundraiser
A little organization can make the process much easier.
Decide who will be authorized to handle the donations, how items will be secured, whether donations will be tracked individually and how your organization will document contributions.
You should also tell supporters not to donate anything they are unsure about emotionally.
Gold jewelry can have both financial and sentimental value.
If someone is hesitant about giving an heirloom or family item, encourage them to keep it.
There are plenty of broken, outdated and forgotten pieces that may be better candidates.
Also remember that Gold Kings evaluates precious metals; your church, school or nonprofit is responsible for its own fundraising records, accounting and donor documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gold Fundraisers
Can broken jewelry be donated?
Yes. Broken gold and silver jewelry may still have precious-metal value. A broken clasp, missing stone or damaged chain does not automatically make a precious-metal item worthless.
Does jewelry have to be marked 10K or 14K?
No. Some genuine precious-metal items may have worn, missing or difficult-to-read markings. Testing can help determine what the item contains.
Can people donate silver?
Yes. Sterling silver jewelry, certain silverware and silver coins may have value and can be evaluated along with gold.
Can people donate coins?
Potentially. Gold and silver coins may have precious-metal value, and some coins can also have collectible value. They should be evaluated rather than automatically treated as ordinary scrap metal.
Can an organization bring several people’s donations together?
Yes. For larger collections, call Gold Kings before visiting so the evaluation can be handled efficiently.
How much can our fundraiser raise?
There is no responsible way to guarantee a specific amount.
The total depends on what people donate, how much the items weigh, their precious-metal purity and current market prices.
A handful of lightweight 10K jewelry will have a very different value from a collection containing heavier 14K, 18K or 22K pieces.
Are jewelry donations tax deductible?
Tax treatment depends on the donor, the organization and applicable tax rules. Gold Kings does not provide tax advice. Churches and nonprofit organizations should consult a qualified tax professional regarding donation acknowledgments and deductions.
Do we have to sell after the evaluation?
An evaluation should allow the organization to understand what it owns before making a decision. Contact Gold Kings beforehand if your group has special requirements or a large collection.
Turn Forgotten Jewelry Into Support for Your Mission
Some of the money your organization needs may already be sitting unused in the jewelry boxes and drawers of the people who want to support you.
A broken chain.
An unwanted ring.
A mismatched earring.
Old sterling silver.
A coin collection nobody knows what to do with.
Instead of asking supporters to buy another fundraising product, consider giving them an opportunity to turn unused valuables into support for something they care about.
Gold Kings can help your organization understand what those items contain, what they weigh and how their precious-metal value is determined.
For organizations near Metro Atlanta and Gwinnett County, contact Gold Kings of Snellville at 770-771-4650.
For churches, schools, nonprofits and community organizations in Northeast Georgia, contact Gold Kings of Commerce at 706-336-0043.
Bring the collection in, have it professionally tested and weighed, understand what your organization owns, and then decide what makes sense for your fundraiser.
Gold Kings — We test it. We weigh it. We pay you.