Gold Jewelry Value Calculator

Calculate the melt value and estimated resale price of your gold jewelry based on weight, karat purity, and current gold prices.

Gold Melt Value Calculator

Calculate the pure gold melt value of your jewelry.

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Buyer Price Comparison

See what different gold buyers would pay for your jewelry.

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Gold Collection Value

Estimate total melt value of multiple gold pieces by total weight.

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Formula

Melt Value = Weight (g) × (Karat / 24) × Gold Price per gram
Gold Price per gram = Spot Price per troy oz / 31.1035

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is my gold jewelry worth?
Gold jewelry value depends on weight, karat, and spot price. Most buyers pay 70-90% of melt value. Designer or antique pieces may be worth more due to craftsmanship value.
How much do gold buyers pay?
Reputable buyers pay 80-90% of melt value. Pawn shops pay 50-70%. Always get multiple quotes before selling.
What karat gold is most valuable?
24k is the purest and most valuable per gram. 18k is the standard for fine jewelry. 14k is popular for everyday wear in the US. 10k is the legal minimum to be called gold.

Understanding Gold Jewelry Value

The value of gold jewelry is primarily determined by its gold content (melt value), though craftsmanship, brand, and collectibility can add significant premiums. The melt value is calculated by multiplying the weight of pure gold in the piece by the current gold spot price. For example, a 20-gram 18k gold necklace contains 15 grams of pure gold (20g x 75%).

Gold purity is measured in karats (not to be confused with diamond carats). 24k is pure gold (99.9%), while lower karats indicate the proportion of gold to other metals. 18k contains 75% gold and 25% alloy metals (silver, copper, zinc, palladium). The alloy metals provide durability and can create different colors -- rose gold uses more copper, white gold uses palladium or nickel.

When selling gold jewelry, you can typically expect to receive 70-90% of the melt value, with the buyer's margin covering refining costs and profit. Designer jewelry from brands like Cartier, Van Cleef, or Bvlgari can sell for significantly above melt value on the secondary market due to brand cachet and craftsmanship. Antique gold jewelry with historical significance may also command premiums from collectors.

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