Frequently Asked Questions  

 

In South Carolina, the Precious Metal Law regulates and mandates who and where businesses can operate, and how to conduct their businesses.  The state law places the enforcement and regulation on each local law enforcement agency.  Businesses that apply and obtain a precious metal permit must complete a precious metal application, submit a $50 money order, and pass a background check.  After passing the background check, a permit signed by the Chief of Police is issued to the business which allows the business to purchase gold, silver, platinum, and precious stones for the one year permit.  The law requires the business to keep documentation on the customer and property purchased.  To review the SC Precious Metal Law and obtain a copy of the permit application, please click on the appropriate links below.

SC Precious Metals Permit/Dealer Law

SC Precious Metals Permit Application

The Horry County Police Department point of contact for questions regarding precious metal permits is:

Det. John Lewis

2560 N. Main St, St 7

Conway, SC 29526

843-915-8025 

lewisj@horrycounty.org

 

Precious Metal Dealers in Horry County 

Name	Address	Phone	Fax	Police Contact	Manager/Owner
Empress II	Myrtle Beach Mall	361-9703		Same	Mohammad Siddique
Reeds	Myrtle Beach Mall	910-794-3594	272-5998	Same	Larry Graham
Gold Buyers of Horry county	82 Cloverleaf Dr, #107, Longs	843-222-1058	843-399-6450	Same	Jerry Wilder
Dardens Jewelers	Hwy 17 Bypass, MI	651-5067		Same	Stu Darden
Jewelry Tree	305 Hwy 701, Loris	756-0491		Same	Lynwood Mills
Nobles Jewelers	Inlet Square Mall	651-4078		Same	Charlie Buxani
Grand Strand Gold & Estate Jewelry	2610 Hwy 17, Garden City	651-6949		Same	Al Greene
Kay Jewelers	Myrtle Beach Mall	361-1340	910-520-3984	Same	Connie Frederick
We Buy Gold-Socastee Blvd	4021 Socastee Blvd, MB	293-0370		Same	Ronny Roberts
MB Coin Exchange	4232 Socastee Blvd, MB	293-9000		same	David Quante
Socastee Gold	3610 Socastee Blvd, MB	333-2498		Same	Tom Pate
Gold Rush of Conway	3083A Hwy 701N, Conway	450-7600		Same	Dock Hardee
Thee Gold Shop	363 Bob Grissom Pkwy, MB	455-1829		Same	Larry Williams
We Buy Gold of Little River	1662 Hwy 17, LR	249-1200		Same	Randy Yow
Hopson Enterprises	507 8th Ave, Aynor	358-8662		Same	Don Hopson
We Buy Gold of Garden City	3018Hwy 17, Garden City	651-0113		Same	Shaquana Henson
707 Gold	10764 Hwy 707 #11, MB	457-0869		Same	Lisa Gillen
We Buy Gold of Loris	215 Hwy 701, Loris	251-7372		Same	Denise Hemingway
The Gold Stop	1735 Hwy 544, Conway	803-463-4519		Same	Marcus Gardner
Belk	Myrtle Beach Mall	272-4200		Same	Michael Ujcich
Oxford Perfume and Jewelry	Myrtle Beach Mall	272-4137		Ana mourate	Hasnain Sayed
Michelle & Dans Thrift Shop	4301 Kinlaw St, LR			Michelle Hamman	Dan Thompson

 Frequently Asked Questions

 How do I obtain a precious metals dealer permit?

1. Contact the law enforcement agency (Myrtle Beach PD, Conway PD, Horry County PD, etc) that has jurisdiction where your proposed business will be located.
2. Complete the precious metal dealers application.
3. Submit your completed application to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

1. SC law mandates a $50 fee.

1. Contact the law enforcement agency (Myrtle Beach PD, Conway PD, Horry County PD, etc) that has jurisdiction where your proposed business will be located.
2. If your business is located in Horry County jurisdiction, see above contact person.

1. The precious metal dealers permit law is regulated by SC law.
2. The SC law delegates administration and enforcement to the local law enforcement agencies in the state.

1. Ask the business if they have a precious metal dealer’s permit. The law requires the permit to be posted openly at the business.
2. Contact the local law enforcement agency (Myrtle Beach PD, Conway PD, Horry County PD, etc) that has jurisdiction where the business is located.

1. Contact the local law enforcement agency (Myrtle Beach PD, Conway PD, Horry County PD, etc) that has jurisdiction where your residence is located to file an official criminal police report.
2. Speak with the managers of businesses that have a precious metals permit. Provide them with a description of your stolen jewelry to determine if they have purchased your stolen jewelry from a customer.

1. Contact the local law enforcement agency (Myrtle Beach PD, Conway PD, Horry County PD, etc) that has jurisdiction where the business is located.
2. Once the police officer arrives, explain that you found your stolen jewelry at the dealer.
3. The officer can obtain the customer information who sold your stolen jewelry.
4. The officer will investigate the criminal incident and assist in the return of your stolen jewelry.

1. According to SC law, if an immediate family member takes your jewelry to a precious metals dealer, it will be the jewelry owner’s responsibility to reimburse the dealer for the jewelry. 
2. Then, the owner can press charges against the family member for the theft to be reimbursed for the loss.

1. According to SC law, a dealer must obtain full name, address, state identification card number, date of birth, and full description of jewelry sold by the customer.

1. No, not to the general public, only to a law enforcement officer.

1. Be polite and respectful to the store employees. Ask for their cooperation, but they are not required to release any information to the public.
2. Explain you’re a victim of a theft, completed an official criminal police report, and are requesting their assistance to review their recent inventory for the property.
3. Explain you are not requesting any customer personal information, only their assistance in reviewing their recent purchases for your stolen property.