Why the gold from Dunellen is mostly everyday gold
Dunellen broke away from Piscataway to become its own borough in 1887, laid out around the Central Railroad of New Jersey stop that NJ Transit still serves on the Raritan Valley Line. Houses sit close together on narrow lots on both sides of the tracks, about 7,600 people in the 2020 census, and plenty of families have stayed put for generations.
So the jewelry that comes to us from Dunellen is usually jewelry somebody actually wore for years: wedding bands, school rings, rope and box chains, charm bracelets, a retirement watch. A lot of it is damaged. A clasp that gave out, a ring cut off at a hospital, one earring whose partner went missing long ago. None of that lowers what the gold is worth, because the number depends on karat and weight alone. Our broken gold page shows how damaged pieces are handled.
Reading the karat on a class ring or a chain
Most American class rings were made in 10K, which is 41.7 percent gold, and some families paid extra for 14K at 58.5 percent. A large synthetic stone and a thick shank make them heavier than they look, so the gold weight is what matters. Chains are trickier. The clasp may carry a 14K stamp while the links are hollow, and a chain with no stamp at all can test solid. Gold filled and plated pieces, often marked GF, 1/20 or HGE, hold only a trace of gold.
The XRF analyzer answers each of those questions in seconds, backed by an acid test. You read the result on its screen, the piece goes on the scale in front of you, and the offer is that gold weight at that karat against the live spot price of the day. The gold jewelry page walks through each karat.
What the Middlesex counter is like, five minutes from Dunellen
“I had an amazing experience at Cash for Gold Trading Post in Middlesex, NJ! Ed and Chris were incredibly friendly, professional, and honest throughout the process. They went above and beyond, offering me even more than I expected for my items, which was a pleasant surprise. On top of that, they had a fantastic selection of unique and high-quality pieces for sale. Whether you're looking to sell or buy, this is definitely the place to go. Highly recommended!”
Shannon Hill, five-star Google review of our Middlesex store
Silver coins and sterling from Dunellen dressers
Dimes, quarters and half dollars dated 1964 or earlier are 90 percent silver, and a roll or two of them is one of the most common things a Dunellen seller finds while clearing a drawer. Each coin gets a look for a collector date or mint mark before it is ever priced on silver content. Sterling forks and spoons from a wedding set come in often too; anything stamped STERLING or 925 is 92.5 percent silver. The coin page and the silver flatware page cover both.
Route 28 west to Bound Brook Road
From downtown Dunellen, get on Route 28 and head west across the Middlesex Borough line. There the road takes the name Bound Brook Road, and the store is at number 748. From the train station it is about five minutes; from the Green Brook or Piscataway side of town, allow a couple more.
Dunellen streets and neighbours we see at the counter
Downtown along North Avenue and South Avenue on either side of the rail line, and the residential blocks running toward the Green Brook and Piscataway borders. Sellers from Green Brook, Middlesex Borough, Piscataway, South Plainfield and Bound Brook reach us by the same stretch of Route 28.
What Dunellen sellers bring most often
Everyday gold first, then coins and silver. Open a category to see how it is tested and judged.
What happens at the counter for a Dunellen seller
Hand over your ID and the pieces. Everything is sorted by metal and karat, tested, and weighed on the counter, and you hear one offer, with any diamond or collector coin priced on its own line. Say yes and you leave with cash. Say no and it all goes back in your pocket, with nothing charged for the look.
A class ring, a broken chain, a roll of old dimes? The Middlesex store is five minutes up Route 28. Have them tested free while you watch.
📞 Get a Free Appraisal: (732) 629-7600Dunellen cash for gold: frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Dunellen to the Middlesex gold buyer?
About five minutes. Take Route 28 west into Middlesex Borough, where it becomes Bound Brook Road; the store is at 748 Bound Brook Rd. Phone (732) 629-7600.
Is a Dunellen High School class ring real gold?
Usually, yes. Most class rings are 10K, which is 41.7 percent gold, and some are 14K at 58.5 percent. Some were made in alloys with no gold in them at all, so every ring is tested with the XRF analyzer before it is weighed.
Do you buy broken chains and single earrings from Dunellen?
Yes. Damage does not change the gold content, so a snapped chain or an earring missing its partner is weighed and priced on its karat like any other piece. Bring every broken bit so none of the weight gets left behind.
Are pre-1965 dimes and quarters from a Dunellen coin jar worth more than face value?
Yes. Dimes, quarters and half dollars dated 1964 or earlier are 90 percent silver, so they are priced on silver content at that day's live spot price. Each coin is checked for a collector date first.
Do you buy from Green Brook, Piscataway and Middlesex Borough as well as Dunellen?
Yes. Sellers from all three, and from South Plainfield and Bound Brook, use the same stretch of Route 28 to reach the Middlesex counter.
What do I need to bring from Dunellen to sell jewelry?
A valid government photo ID, which New Jersey requires for every precious-metals sale, and the pieces themselves. No appointment and no receipts are needed.
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