How Much to Expect When Selling Gold Jewelry
If you have gold jewelry you no longer wear, selling it can be a great way to turn it into cash and get something useful out of it. But before you do, it’s important to understand how gold is valued and what factors influence how much you’ll get. The price you receive depends on the gold’s purity, weight, market value, and where you sell it. When you understand these factors you’ll have a better idea of how much to expect when selling gold jewelry!
Understanding Gold’s Value
Gold is priced based on its purity and weight, with rates fluctuating daily based on market demand. To get an accurate estimate, you need to know two things:
- Purity (Karats) – The higher the karat, the more gold your jewelry contains, making it more valuable. Pure gold is 24K, but most jewelry is 10K, 14K, or 18K, meaning it’s mixed with other metals for durability. The percentage of pure gold is:
- 10K – 41.7% gold
- 14K – 58.3% gold
- 18K – 75% gold
- 24K – 99.9% gold
- Weight – The heavier the piece, the more gold it contains. Buyers will weigh your jewelry in grams or pennyweights (1 pennyweight = 1.55 grams) to determine how much gold it holds.
How Market Prices Affect Your Payout
The value of gold changes daily based on supply and demand. Gold prices are measured in troy ounces (31.1 grams), and when gold prices are high, you can expect to get more for your jewelry. Checking current gold prices before selling can help you decide if it’s the right time.
How Much Can You Expect to Get?
While it depends on purity, weight, and market price, here’s a general idea. Grab a pencil and paper, there’s going to be a bit of math!
- Calculate the Gold Content – If gold is trading at $2,000 per ounce, then:
- 10K gold is worth about $833 per ounce (41.7% of $2,000)
- 14K gold is worth about $1,166 per ounce (58.3% of $2,000)
- 18K gold is worth about $1,500 per ounce (75% of $2,000)
- Weigh Your Jewelry – Let’s say your 14K gold chain weighs 10 grams.
- Gold is priced per gram, so divide $1,166 by 31.1 (grams in an ounce) to get $37.50 per gram
- Multiply by 10 grams = $375 worth of pure gold
- Understand the Buyer’s Offer – Buyers won’t pay 100% of the gold value because they need to refine and resell it, and they need to make a profit on their purchase. Typical payouts range from 60% to 90% of the gold’s market value, depending on the buyer.
At Stewart Kuper Jewelers, we offer the most competitive rates and full transparency in our pricing. It makes everything work fast and fair for everyone involved.
Where You Sell Matters
Different buyers offer different rates, so it’s important to choose wisely:
- Pawn Shops – Often offer lower payouts, usually around 40-60% of the gold’s value. The name of the game here is fast.
- Mail-In Gold Buyers – This may be convenient but can have hidden fees and low offers.
- Jewelry Stores & Gold Buyers – Typically offer the best prices, especially reputable jewelers like Stewart Kuper Jewelers, who provide accurate appraisals and fair payouts.
When choosing where to sell your gold you need to balance out your needs. Do you want to make the sale fast? Do you want to make it easy? Or, do you want to get the most value for your pieces? At Stewart Kuper Jewelers, we evaluate your gold on the spot and offer immediate payment—no hidden fees, no hassle.
How to Get the Best Price for Your Gold Jewelry
- Know Your Gold’s Purity and Weight – Check for karat stamps and weigh your jewelry to get an estimate.
- Check Market Prices – Selling when gold prices are high will get you the best return.
- Get Multiple Quotes – Compare offers to ensure you’re getting a fair deal.
- Avoid Middlemen – Selling directly to a jeweler like Stewart Kuper Jewelers means higher payouts.
If you’re wondering how much to expect when selling gold jewelry, the answer depends on purity, weight, and market conditions. Do some research and math of your own and you’ll have an idea what your gold may bring in. Otherwise, trust the experts at Stewart Kuper Jewelers. We make selling gold simple, transparent, and profitable. Call today and schedule your free, private, one-on-one consultation with Stewart Kuper today!
