The short answer
Read the karat or fineness stamp on each piece, sort by purity, weigh each group in grams and estimate its melt value from today's gold price. Then check whether any piece is worth more as jewelry than as scrap, because of its maker, design, age or stones. Get written offers from several buyers, watch them test and weigh, and do not sell valuable stones or branded pieces at scrap rates. Gold buying is regulated differently in different places, so expect to show ID.
1. Read the stamps
Look on clasps, inside ring bands and on the backs of pendants with a magnifier. Common gold stamps show either karats or the parts per thousand of pure gold:
- 9K or 375: 37.5% gold.
- 10K or 417: about 41.7% gold.
- 14K or 585: about 58.5% gold.
- 18K or 750: 75% gold.
- 22K or 916: about 91.6% gold.
Stamps such as GP, GF, HGE, RGP or "rolled gold" mean gold plated or gold filled, which has only a thin layer of gold and is worth far less. A stamp is not proof on its own, because stamps can be faked. Our guide on how to tell if gold is real covers simple, non-damaging checks.
2. Sort and weigh
- Separate pieces by purity, and put unmarked or doubtful pieces aside.
- Weigh each group in grams on an accurate kitchen or jewelry scale.
- Remember that stones, beads, springs in clasps and non-gold parts add weight that is not gold.
3. Estimate the melt value
Gold prices are usually quoted per troy ounce, which is about 31.1 grams. To estimate the value of the pure gold in a group:
weight in grams × purity × gold price per gram
For example, 10 grams of 14K gold contains about 5.85 grams of pure gold. Multiply by today's price per gram to get the melt value. Buyers pay less than full melt value, because they cover refining costs and profit, but knowing the figure lets you compare offers on a fair basis.
4. Is it worth more as jewelry?
Do not assume everything is scrap. A piece may be worth more than its gold if it is:
- by a known designer or jewelry house, with the right marks and paperwork,
- antique or vintage with fine workmanship, or a sought-after style,
- set with diamonds or other valuable stones,
- a collected item such as certain charm bracelets, lockets or signet rings.
Gemstones need a professional to identify and grade them. Ask whether the buyer is paying for the stones or only the metal; if only the metal, you can ask to have stones removed and returned. Our guide is my jewelry worth anything? explains when an appraisal makes sense.
5. Compare buyers
- Local jewelers may buy scrap gold and may pay more for pieces they can resell as jewelry.
- Gold buyers and bullion dealers focus on metal value and often display their buying rates.
- Pawn shops can pay quickly, usually at lower rates. See how to sell to a pawn shop.
- Mail-in buyers can be convenient, but you lose sight of the weighing and testing. Check their reputation, insurance, return terms and whether you can decline an offer and get your items back.
- Selling online or at auction suits pieces worth more as jewelry than as metal.
6. At the counter
- Ask for the price per gram for each purity, in writing.
- Watch the testing and weighing, and check the scale reads zero first.
- Have each purity weighed separately, not all together at the lowest rate.
- Bring ID; many buyers are required to record it.
- Do not feel pressured to sell on the spot. You can take your items and leave.
7. Records and tax
Keep the receipt. Depending on where you live, selling precious metals can have tax or reporting implications, especially for larger amounts, so check the rules that apply to you.
Where WorthAI fits
WorthAI can help you identify the likely type of piece from a photo and see what similar items sell for as jewelry, with the listings behind the estimate. That helps you spot pieces worth more than their gold. WorthAI cannot test metal, weigh gold or grade stones, and it is not an authentication service, so have a jeweler confirm gold content and stones before you rely on any figure.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know how much my gold jewelry is worth?
Read the karat or fineness stamp, weigh the piece in grams, multiply the weight by the purity and today's gold price per gram to estimate melt value, then check whether the design, maker or stones make it worth more as jewelry.
Where is the best place to sell gold jewelry?
Get written offers from several buyers, such as local jewelers, gold buyers and pawn shops, and compare their price per gram for each purity. Pieces worth more than their metal can sell better online, at auction or to a jeweler.
Will a gold buyer pay for the diamonds in my ring?
Not always. Some scrap buyers pay only for the metal. Ask whether the stones are included in the offer, have valuable stones assessed by a professional, and ask for stones to be removed and returned if you sell only the gold.