Most people have a drawer, a box, or a forgotten corner of a wardrobe where old jewellery lives. Pieces from past relationships, inherited items that don't suit your style, tangled chains, single earrings missing their pair. They sit there, unloved, because it's never quite felt like the right time to deal with them.

Here's what most people don't realise: some of that jewellery might be worth more than you think — not sold at a pawn shop, but recycled into something beautiful and new.

The catch? Not all jewellery is recyclable. A recycling initiative like ours works with solid precious metals — real gold and silver — not plated, filled, or base metal pieces. So before you send anything in, it helps to know what you're actually working with.

Here's how to figure it out.

Step 1: Look for Hallmarks

The most reliable way to identify a precious metal is to look for a hallmark — a small stamped mark, usually on the inside of a ring band, the clasp of a necklace, or the post of an earring. You may need a loupe or magnifying glass to find it.

For gold, look for:

• 375 — 9 carat gold (37.5% pure gold)
• 585 — 14 carat gold (58.5% pure gold)
• 750 — 18 carat gold (75% pure gold)
• 999 — 24 carat (pure gold, less common in jewellery)
• You may also see the karat written directly: 9K, 14K, 18K, 24K

For silver, look for:

• 925 — Sterling silver (92.5% pure silver)
• 999 — Fine silver
• 800 — Continental silver (common in older European pieces)
• The word STERLING stamped directly

For platinum:

• 950 or PT950 — 95% pure platinum
• PT900, PLAT

If you find one of these stamps, you're likely holding a solid precious metal piece. That's a great sign.

Step 2: Watch Out for These Red Flags

Some markings tell you the piece is not solid precious metal:

• GF or G.F. — Gold filled (a thin layer of gold bonded to a base metal)
• GP or G.P. — Gold plated (an even thinner coating)
• RGP — Rolled gold plated
• GE — Gold electroplated
• 925 on yellow metal — Sterling silver with gold plating (the base is silver, which is recyclable, but it won't be valued as gold)

Plated pieces (unless they're sterling silver underneath) aren't suitable for recycling initiatives because the precious metal content is too thin to be separated and reused meaningfully. They're not worthless — but they won't qualify for a credit note.

Step 3: Try a Few Simple Tests at Home

If there's no visible hallmark, a few easy checks can give you a better sense of what you have.

The magnet test: Gold, silver, and platinum are not magnetic. Hold a strong magnet near your piece — if it pulls toward the magnet, it contains iron or steel and is likely a base metal or heavily plated. If there's no pull, that's a good sign (though not definitive on its own).

The skin test: Real gold doesn't react with skin. If a piece leaves a green or black mark on your skin after wearing, it's likely a base metal or low-quality plating reacting with your body chemistry.

The weight test: Precious metals feel dense and substantial. If a piece feels surprisingly light or hollow, it may be base metal. This is especially noticeable with rings and bangles.

The colour consistency test: Look at scratched or worn areas, especially on clasps and edges. If you can see a different coloured metal underneath, it's plated.

None of these tests are definitive on their own, but together they paint a useful picture.

Step 4: Don't Discount Old or Damaged Pieces

This is important: the condition of a piece doesn't determine whether it's recyclable. A bent ring, a broken chain, a single earring, a brooch from the 1970s — if it's made of solid gold or silver, it can be melted down and given a completely new life.

In fact, some of the most meaningful recycling projects start with the most unlikely-looking pieces. A worn wedding band from a grandmother. A heavy gold chain that feels too dated to wear. A pair of earrings that no longer match your style. The metal doesn't care about the history of the piece — it can become something entirely new.

What you can't recycle are pieces with base metal cores, even if they have precious stone settings. The stones, however, may still be reusable — so it's worth getting a professional opinion even if the metal itself doesn't qualify.

Step 5: When in Doubt, Just Ask

If you've gone through the steps above and you're still not sure, the easiest thing to do is get in touch. A good recycling programme will assess your pieces properly — checking karat, weight, and composition — before offering a credit note. There's no obligation, and a reputable jeweller will be upfront with you about what they can and can't work with.

At Zoë Alexandria, we only accept solid silver or gold pieces (no base metals, plated, or filled items), but we'll always tell you exactly what you have and why. If something doesn't qualify, we'll let you know — and you can have it sent back.

The worst outcome of reaching out is finding out a piece isn't recyclable. The best outcome is turning something forgotten into something you'll wear every day.

Think you might have some recyclable pieces? Find out how our Jewellery Recycling Initiative works — and start turning what you have into what you actually want.