Glossary
Buying rate
The buying rate is the percentage of spot price you actually receive when selling.
The buying rate states the share of spot paid out. Depending on the material, ours is up to 97 % of spot. The difference from the market price, known as the spread, covers testing, insurance, transport, refining and margin.
The rate differs by material for a practical reason. Investment gold in bars or minted coins is already pure and does not need refining, so its rate is 97 %. Jewellery gold is alloyed and goes through a refinery, so its rate is 90 to 95 %.
The rate is 85 % for silver and 88 % for platinum and palladium. A clearly stated rate is the key sign of a fair dealer. Be cautious when spot price is advertised but deductions only appear at the counter.
Worked example with two materials
At 120,00 € per gram, a bar containing 50 grams of fine gold has a material value of 6.000,00 €. Applying a rate of 97 % gives 5.820,00 €.
A 50 gram lot of 585 jewellery, however, contains only 29.25 grams of fine gold, with a material value of 3.510,00 €. At 90 to 95 %, that gives 3.159,00 to 3.334,50 €. Equal weight, very different results, both clearly calculated.
Compare offers, including in Nordhorn
An advertised price per gram says little alone. Combined with fineness, the underlying market price and the buying rate, it becomes comparable. Always ask for the same four figures: market price, fineness, weight and result.
At our Nordhorn shop, those four figures appear on the receipt. You can check any offer at home and compare it with others. You have no obligation if you ultimately prefer another offer.
Also check for additional charges. We charge nothing for testing or valuation, and no handling or payout fee. The calculated amount is what you receive, in cash or by bank transfer if you prefer.