A farm township that became a post-war suburb
Livingston was carved out of Caldwell and Springfield townships in 1813 and named for William Livingston, New Jersey's first governor. For well over a century it stayed rural, orchards and dairy land west of the Watchung ridges, running down to the Passaic River lowlands. That changed after World War II, when the farms gave way to the ranches, split-levels and center-hall colonials that line Northfield Road, South Livingston Avenue and the side streets off Mount Pleasant Avenue today.
Two Newark institutions moved out in 1964 and shaped the town: Saint Barnabas, now Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center on Old Short Hills Road, and Newark Academy on South Orange Avenue. The hill that held a Cold War Nike missile control site is now Riker Hill Art Park. About 31,330 people lived here at the 2020 Census, and many of the families who bought those first post-war houses are now the ones deciding what to do with a lifetime of jewelry.
Mitzvah gifts, doctors' watches and full sterling services
Livingston has one of the larger Jewish communities in the state, so bar and bat mitzvah jewelry is a regular sight at our counter: chai and Star of David pendants, name bracelets and delicate 14K chains, gold at 58.5 percent, given at thirteen and rarely worn after college. Medical and professional families add dress watches, cufflinks and tie bars, and engagement rings with platinum settings and a grading report tucked in the box. The stone and the setting are valued separately; the diamond buyers page explains how.
When a house on one of the older streets is being sold, the sterling tends to arrive complete: service for twelve, serving pieces, a tea set. Sterling is 92.5 percent silver and is weighed apart from anything plated. Older 18K European jewelry, at 75 percent, is read on its own rather than lumped in with 14K. The estate buyers service can see a full collection at the house if downsizing makes a trip impractical.
A repeat seller on how it works
“Absolutely amazing Customer service. Chris was kind and informative. He was pleasant and really personable . I got a good return on my jewelry. Highly recommend this place. You will not be disappointed. Thanks Chris. I will be back.”
Gwen, five-star Google review of Cash 4 Gold Trading Post in Middlesex
Sorting before the drive down
Separate by what is stamped inside: 14K, 18K, 585 and 750 in one pouch; Sterling and 925 in another; platinum, usually marked Plat or PT, in a third. Anything unmarked can travel in its own bag, since the analyzer reads it on the spot, backed by an acid test. Watches go in with their boxes and papers. Coins and commemorative medals stay in their original holders and are not cleaned.
Bring any appraisal or diamond report you find in the same box as the ring it describes. None of it is required, but it speeds things up. The New Jersey estate jewelry guide covers what executors should keep on file.
Route 10 or JFK Parkway to I-287, then down to Middlesex
From the north side of town, take Route 10 west through East Hanover and Whippany to I-287. From the south side, JFK Parkway past Short Hills meets Route 24, which runs west to I-287 in Morristown. Either way, head south on 287 to the Route 28 exit at Bound Brook and follow Route 28 east into Middlesex, where it becomes Bound Brook Road; the store is at 748. Allow about 40 minutes without traffic.
Which parts of Livingston and nearby towns do we hear from?
Around the Town Center at North Livingston and Mount Pleasant avenues, along South Livingston Avenue and Northfield Road, near the hospital on Old Short Hills Road, and up by Riker Hill. Roseland, West Orange, Short Hills, Florham Park and East Hanover sellers use the same I-287 run.
What do Livingston sellers bring most?
Gift jewelry, watches, diamonds and complete silver. Pick a category to see how it is valued.
How a Livingston visit goes
Set out the pouches and show your ID. Each gold and platinum piece is read for purity, silver is sorted from plate, and the scale reading is on a display you can see. Watches, signed pieces, graded stones and dated coins are pulled aside and priced on their own merits before any metal is valued at the day's live market. You get one clear offer with its parts explained. Take it and you are paid on the spot; pass and nothing is charged.
Livingston cash for gold: frequently asked questions
What is the best route from Livingston to the Middlesex store?
Route 10 west to I-287 from the north side, or JFK Parkway to Route 24 west from the south side, then I-287 south to the Route 28 exit at Bound Brook and Route 28 east to 748 Bound Brook Rd, Middlesex. About 40 minutes without traffic. Phone (732) 629-7600.
Do you buy bar and bat mitzvah jewelry?
Yes. Chai and Star of David pendants, name bracelets and chains are bought on their gold content after each is read by XRF. You can hear the offer and still decide to keep a piece.
I have a diamond ring with a grading report. Should I bring it?
Yes, bring the report with the ring. The stone is judged on its cut, color, clarity and carat weight, and the platinum or gold setting is valued separately, so you are paid for both.
We are downsizing and there is a whole sterling service. Can you come to the house?
Yes. For a large collection the estate service can visit, and every category, sterling, gold, watches and coins, is appraised on its own rather than as one lot.
What are the hours and what should I bring?
Monday through Friday from 10 to 6 and Saturday from 10 to 4; closed Sunday. No appointment. Bring a valid government photo ID, which New Jersey requires for every precious-metals sale.
Do you also buy from Roseland, West Orange and Short Hills?
Yes. Sellers from Roseland, West Orange, Short Hills, Florham Park and East Hanover come to the same Middlesex counter by way of I-287.
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