Only gold and platinum count
The two Swiss public pawn offices accept only gold or platinum jewellery. A silver chain, a plated bracelet or a costume ring will be handed back, whereas a yellow gold wedding band, even scratched or bent out of shape, can serve as a pledge in Geneva.
The Geneva per-gram scale
The Geneva public pawn office (Caisse publique de prêts sur gages) quotes about CHF 28 per gram for 18-carat gold, fineness 0.750, as at October 2026. This figure tracks the metal price, so it should be checked at the counter on the day of deposit.
A worked example for a small chain
At this rate, a 12-gram chain in 18-carat gold would represent around CHF 336. Below the CHF 350 threshold, the CPPG charges 0% interest; what remains is the one-off 6% pledge fee, roughly CHF 20.
Higher-value jewellery and interest bands
From CHF 351 to 850, the CPPG charges 5% a year; from CHF 851 upwards, 7.5% a year, or 0.625% a month. A heavy necklace quickly crosses this threshold; see pawn loan rates in Switzerland.
Diamonds: deposit in Geneva, certificate in Zurich
In Geneva, a piece set with diamonds may need to be deposited for appraisal, and the office may ask for an invoice or proof of ownership. In Zurich, diamonds and brilliants, set or loose, are taken into account only with a certificate.
Coloured stones refused at the ZKB
The Pfandleihkasse of the Zürcher Kantonalbank does not accept coloured stones such as rubies, sapphires or emeralds. For a ring set with such stones, it is best to ask at the counter before depositing it, since the Zurich amount depends on precious metal weight.
Metal weight, the Zurich criterion
The ZKB sets its amounts using internal lending values, without publishing a price per gram. For new or used jewellery, the weight of precious metal is decisive. The methods are detailed in valuing a pledged item in Switzerland.
Cost of one month's pledge in Zurich
The Zurich office charges 1% a month, with no other charges if interest is paid on time in cash at the counter. A month started is due in full, and contracts last 6 months, extendable on an invoice sent about 20 days before the due date.
Where to leave jewellery in Geneva
The CPPG receives customers at 5 rue des Glacis-de-Rive and 6 rue Adrien-Lachenal, Tuesday to Friday, 8.15am–12.30pm and 1.15pm–4.30pm, from 9am on Thursdays. It is closed on Mondays and carries out no transactions by e-mail (as at October 2026).
Auction of unredeemed jewellery
Jewellery that is not redeemed is sold at public auction. CPPG sale charges reach 10%, plus inspection and compliance charges specific to jewellery and watches. In its conditions of sale, "OR" refers to 18-carat gold.
The surplus kept for five years
If the hammer price exceeds the debt, the surplus (boni) goes to the borrower: it can be claimed for 5 years in Geneva (article 8 LCPPG), after which it passes to the office. In Zurich, the right to the Mehrerlös also lapses after five years.
Comparing with neighbouring countries
Pawning jewellery in France goes through the Crédit Municipal institutions, and pawning jewellery in Belgium through the Brussels Mont-de-Piété. The Swiss pawn loan guide sets out the cantonal rules.
Where to pawn jewellery in Switzerland
- Caisse publique de prêts sur gages (CPPG): Geneva public institution lending on 18-carat gold at around CHF 28 per gram, interest-free up to CHF 350.
- Pfandleihkasse der Zürcher Kantonalbank: Zurich office accepting gold and platinum jewellery and certified diamonds, at 1% per month.
Pawning a piece of jewellery step by step
- Sort your jewellery: keep only gold and platinum, and look for the fineness hallmarks.
- Find invoices, proof of ownership and diamond certificates, especially for Zurich.
- Go to the counter with an identity document and, if you are a foreign national in Geneva, your permit.
- Let the metal be weighed and tested; the amount offered depends on weight and fineness, not the purchase price.
- Sign the contract, keep the pawn ticket and note the 6- or 12-month due date.
- Repay or extend before the due date to avoid reminder charges and then a public sale.
Charges on a jewellery loan
| Item | CPPG Geneva (Oct. 2026) | ZKB Zurich (Oct. 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Amount lent on 18 ct gold | About CHF 28 per gram | By metal weight, not published |
| Interest | 0% up to CHF 350, 5% up to CHF 850, 7.5% above, per year | 1% per month |
| Entry charge | One-off 6% pledge fee | None if interest is paid on time at the counter |
| Reminders | CHF 8 per letter, CHF 15 for the notice of sale | Charged, amount not published |
| If sold | 10% plus jewellery inspection charges | Surplus claimable for 5 years |
What to take with your jewellery
- Official identity document
- B, C, F, L, N or S permit for non-Swiss nationals in Geneva
- Invoice or proof of ownership
- Diamond certificate, essential in Zurich
- Proof of residence in Switzerland
Frequent mistakes with jewellery
- Counting on the value of rubies or sapphires in Zurich, when the ZKB refuses coloured stones.
- Bringing a diamond without a certificate to the Pfandleihkasse: it will not be counted in the amount.
- Mixing silver and gold jewellery: only gold and platinum are accepted by both public offices.
- Forgetting the 6% pledge fee in Geneva, payable even on a small interest-free loan.
- Failing to claim the surplus after a sale: once five years have passed, the borrower loses the money.
Questions on pawning jewellery in Switzerland
How much can you get for a gold ring in Switzerland?
In Geneva, the CPPG lends about CHF 28 per gram of 18-carat gold, as at October 2026. A 5-gram ring would therefore represent around CHF 140, interest-free below CHF 350 but subject to the 6% pledge fee.
Do diamonds increase the loan amount?
In Zurich, diamonds and brilliants can be counted if they come with a certificate. In Geneva, a diamond may have to be deposited for appraisal. Without these steps, the loan is based mainly on the metal of the setting.
Can a wedding ring be pawned in Switzerland?
Yes, if it is gold or platinum. Both public offices accept new and used jewellery, and the CPPG specifies that solid precious metal items are accepted even when damaged. The amount depends on weight and fineness.
Can you get your jewellery back before the loan ends?
Yes. In Geneva, the whole loan may be paid off whenever you wish. In Zurich, redemption is possible at the Zurlindenstrasse counter, with the current month's interest payable in full whatever the day.
General information, up to date as of October 2026 and non-contractual: always check the terms with the Crédit Municipal or the institution concerned.