Goudwisselkantoor
Retailer / private label
UnclaimedDutch family-run chain that buys, sells, pawns and auctions gold, silver, coins, jewellery and watches through more than 175 outlets in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
Last updated September 28, 2026
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Overview
Goudwisselkantoor is a Dutch specialist retail chain focused on precious metals, jewellery, coins, banknotes and collectibles. Founded in 1984 by Jaap de Ruiter as a coin and stamp dealership, the business grew into a family enterprise when his son Johan de Ruiter joined in 1994. The arrival of the euro in 1999 prompted the family to expand its coin and banknote inventory to more than 100,000 items, and in 2005 the company began buying jewellery and investment gold. The first physical store under the Goudwisselkantoor name opened in Rotterdam in 2010, followed by mobile offices in 2011 and the addition of watch and diamond buying from 2013. The first auction was held in 2014, and in 2017 the company opened its own auction house in Klaaswaal, where it also added currency exchange services that were later discontinued in 2026. Today Goudwisselkantoor operates more than 175 locations across the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, with roughly 60 outlets in Belgium and about 15 in Germany. The company employs around 500 people across the three countries. It operates under a single brand architecture: Goudwisselkantoor in the Netherlands and Flanders, Goldwechselhaus in Germany and Comptoir de l'Or in French-speaking Belgium. Its services span precious-metal trading in gold, silver and platinum; auction services including online, jewellery and room auctions; buying of valuables such as diamonds and collectibles; and a jewellery chain for pre-owned and vintage pieces originally launched as Reclaimed Jewels in 2016 and now trading as Pre-owned Goudwisselkantoor. The company also runs an e-commerce shop for precious metals and investment coins, which ranked 22nd in the Twinkle Top 100 in 2023. Goudwisselkantoor is registered with De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) and holds the Thuiswinkel Waarborg certification. Its auction house in Klaaswaal specialises in jewellery, diamonds, watches, silverware, coins and banknotes, and is a member of several domestic and international trade associations. The company celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024. In 2025, consumer programme Kassa reported that the company sometimes offered prices below the actual value of gold and jewellery, in some cases as little as a quarter or even 5 percent of the real value; Goudwisselkantoor disputed the findings and noted that customers are not obliged to sell at the offered price.
History
Goudwisselkantoor was founded in 1984 by Jaap de Ruiter as a coin and stamp dealership. In 1994 his son Johan de Ruiter joined the family business. The introduction of the euro in 1999 led the De Ruiter family to expand its collection of coins and banknotes to more than 100,000 items. In 2005 the company started buying jewellery and investment gold. The first physical store under the Goudwisselkantoor name opened in Rotterdam in 2010, and its success led to the opening of multiple Goudwisselkantoor outlets across the Netherlands. In 2011 the company introduced mobile offices, which helped build brand awareness. From 2013 it also began buying watches and diamonds. The first auction took place in 2014. In 2015 Goudwisselkantoor opened its first two Belgian locations, in Ghent and Hasselt. In 2017 it opened its own auction house in Klaaswaal and added currency exchange services, which were later discontinued in 2026. In 2020 the company opened an e-commerce shop for precious metals and investment coins, which ranked 22nd in the Twinkle Top 100 in 2023. The 100th location opened in Purmerend in 2020. In 2021 the first German location opened in Aachen. In 2022 all specialisms were brought under one brand architecture: Goudwisselkantoor in Flanders and the Netherlands, Goldwechselhaus in Germany and Comptoir de l'Or in French-speaking Belgium. In 2024 the company celebrated its 40th anniversary. In 2025 consumer programme Kassa reported that the company regularly offered prices below the actual value of gold and jewellery, in some cases only a quarter or even 5 percent of the real value; Goudwisselkantoor disputed the findings and stated that customers are not obliged to sell at the offered price. As of 2025 the company had more than 175 locations in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, with around 60 outlets in Belgium and 15 in Germany, and approximately 500 employees across the three countries.
- 2026
Currency exchange services discontinued.
- 2025
Kassa consumer programme reports below-value offers; company disputes findings.
- 2024
Celebrates 40th anniversary.
- 2023
E-commerce shop ranks 22nd in the Twinkle Top 100.
- 2022
Brings all specialisms under one brand architecture: Goudwisselkantoor, Goldwechselhaus and Comptoir de l'Or.
- 2021
Opens first German location in Aachen.
- 2020
Opens e-commerce shop for precious metals and investment coins; opens 100th location in Purmerend.
- 2017
Opens own auction house in Klaaswaal; adds currency exchange services.
- 2016
Reclaimed Jewels jewellery chain founded.
- 2015
Opens first two Belgian locations in Ghent and Hasselt.
Products and positioning
Specialist in gold, silver, coins and currency with a large physical network and in-house expertise in valuation, gemmology and watchmaking.
Precious metal trading
Buying and selling of gold, silver and platinum.
Auction services
Online auctions, jewellery auctions and room auctions.
Buying of valuables
Purchase of diamonds and collectibles.
Pre-owned Goudwisselkantoor
Jewellery chain for pre-owned and vintage jewellery and watches, originally Reclaimed Jewels.
E-commerce shop
Online shop for precious metals and investment coins.
Controversies
Kassa investigation into below-value offers
Sources5 sources
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