Frequently Asked Questions

We weigh the gold, confirm its purity (for example 10K, 14K or 18K) and apply our buying rate for that purity. Stones, springs and other non-gold parts are not counted as gold weight. Our current per-gram buying rates are published on the gold prices page, and the final offer is confirmed after we examine your items in person.

The price in the news is the market (spot) price of pure 24K gold, usually quoted per troy ounce. Most jewellery is an alloy, so a 14K chain is only about 58.5% gold, and a buyer’s rate also covers testing, refining and handling. That is why a market quote and a shop’s buying offer are different numbers.

No. The calculators give an estimate based on the weight and purity you enter. A final offer depends on the actual items, their usable metal weight and purity, which we confirm when we see them.

Yes. Broken chains, single earrings, bent rings and pieces with worn or missing stamps can all be assessed for their metal content. A missing stamp does not mean a piece is not gold; we check it before making an offer.

Besides gold jewellery, we assess silver, platinum, palladium, coins, bullion bars, diamonds, selected luxury watches and dental gold. Call us about other valuables before you visit.

Bring the items as they are, together with any detached parts, boxes, receipts or certificates. Please do not clean them with chemicals, polish coins or remove stones. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID if you plan to sell.

Not at the moment. Selling is done in person at our shop at Alta Vista Plaza, so you can watch the assessment and ask questions before you decide.

No. You are free to think about it, keep your piece, or ask about repairing or redesigning it instead. Nothing is agreed until you say yes.

Online orders are paid by Interac e-Transfer to info@nouras.ca, in Canadian dollars, within 48 hours of placing the order. Please include your order number in the transfer message. Unpaid orders are cancelled after 48 hours.

Shipping is free to any address in Canada. Every parcel is fully insured and needs a signature on delivery. We do not ship outside Canada.

Yes. In-store pickup at Alta Vista Plaza is free. We contact you when your order is ready; bring government-issued photo ID that matches the name on the order, and your order number.

Most pieces are ordered for you from trusted suppliers and arrive at our store to be inspected before they are shipped. We confirm the estimated delivery date by email when we accept your order, and if we cannot deliver within 30 days of that date you may cancel for a full refund.

You can request a return within 14 days of delivery or pickup for unworn items in their original condition and packaging. A 15% restocking fee applies. Custom, resized or engraved pieces, bullion and coins, earrings and sale items are final sale. Read the full shipping and returns policy.

Yes. You do not need a drawing; photos, an occasion, a stone you already own or a budget are enough to start. We agree the design, materials and quote before work begins. See custom jewellery design.

Yes. Most repairs are done in about 30 minutes while you wait, with a free polish. Bigger jobs or work that needs parts take longer, and we confirm the timing after we look at the piece. Call 613-680-8883 if you have questions.

Every repair is assessed before we quote, because the metal, the construction and earlier repairs all affect the work. We agree the scope and the estimate with you before we start, and if we find something new we ask you before going further.

No. The metal, stones set around the band, engraving and the size change all matter. Eternity bands, tension settings and some alternative metals need special care or another solution. Read before you resize a ring.

Signs include a stone that moves or rattles, a prong that catches on fabric, or a gap between the stone and its setting. Stop wearing the piece and bring it in; prong retipping can protect a stone before it is lost.

Yes, we look at battery, strap and clasp requests at the shop. Water resistance is never assumed after a case has been opened; ask us what can be checked for your watch. More on watch repair.

Yes. Names, dates and short messages can be engraved on many rings, pendants and bracelets. Bring the piece so we can check the space and the metal. See jewellery engraving.

Yes. Jewellery stores can send us repair work through our trade repair service.

The karat tells you how much of the metal is gold: 10K is about 41.7%, 14K about 58.5% and 18K 75%. Higher karat means more gold and a richer colour; lower karat is harder and more resistant to scratches. Learn more in our gold purity guide.

Yes. 14K is solid gold alloyed with other metals for strength. It contains about 58.5% pure gold and is the most common karat in North American jewellery.

They are purity marks in parts per thousand: 417 equals 10K, 585 equals 14K and 750 equals 18K. Read how to read gold hallmarks.

Precious metals are weighed in troy ounces. One troy ounce is 31.1035 grams, about 10% heavier than a regular (avoirdupois) ounce of 28.35 grams.

Yes, ask us about coins and bars. Availability and the full price of a specific product are confirmed before you buy, because bullion prices follow the market. See buy bullion and our bullion guide.

The prices on our gold prices page and the bar at the top of the website follow the live market and refresh automatically throughout the day, in Canadian dollars.

We are at Unit 13, Alta Vista Plaza, 2651 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, ON K1V 7T5. Get directions.

Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed on Sunday.

Call 613-680-8883, message us on WhatsApp or email info@nouras.ca.