Most people who sell gold jewelry have no idea what their pieces are worth before they walk into a shop. That's a problem. Without a basic understanding of how gold is priced, you're trusting someone else to be fair with no way to verify the number.
This guide breaks down exactly how gold jewelry value works, what to look for on your pieces, and how to get the best price when you sell gold jewelry in Honolulu.
How Gold Jewelry Pricing Works
Gold jewelry is priced based on three things: the current spot price of gold, the karat (purity) of your piece, and its weight. That's it. The math is straightforward once you know those three numbers.
Here is how the formula works:
Weight (in grams) × Purity (as a decimal) × Spot Price Per Gram = Melt Value
The melt value is the raw gold content of your piece. It's the baseline that every buyer starts from. Some pieces are worth more than melt value if they have collectible, antique, or designer value. But melt value is your floor.
Gold Karat Guide: What the Stamp on Your Jewelry Means
The karat stamp tells you how much pure gold is in your piece. Pure gold is 24 karat (24K). Everything below that is mixed with other metals like copper, silver, nickel, or zinc to make the piece harder and more wearable.
| Karat | Purity % | Stamp | Common In | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 999 | Bullion, some Asian jewelry | Too soft for daily wear |
| 22K | 91.7% | 916 | Indian & Middle Eastern jewelry | Very high purity, soft |
| 18K | 75.0% | 750 | Fine jewelry, watches | Popular in European & Hawaiian pieces |
| 14K | 58.3% | 585 | Most U.S. jewelry | Best balance of durability and value |
| 10K | 41.7% | 417 | Budget U.S. jewelry | Minimum legal karat in the U.S. |
Look for the stamp on the inside of rings, the clasp of necklaces and bracelets, or the post of earrings. You may need a magnifying glass. If the stamp says "585," that's 14K. If it says "750," that's 18K. Some older pieces have no stamp at all, and a professional buyer can test the purity with an acid kit or electronic tester.
What Your Gold Jewelry Is Worth Right Now
Gold is trading around $4,460 per troy ounce as of late March 2026. That comes out to roughly $143 per gram for pure 24K gold. But your jewelry isn't pure gold, so the per-gram value depends on the karat.
| Karat | Gold Per Gram | 10g Chain | 20g Bracelet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | ~$143 | ~$1,430 | ~$2,860 |
| 22K | ~$131 | ~$1,310 | ~$2,620 |
| 18K | ~$107 | ~$1,070 | ~$2,140 |
| 14K | ~$83 | ~$830 | ~$1,660 |
| 10K | ~$60 | ~$600 | ~$1,200 |
These are approximate melt values. The actual amount a buyer pays will be slightly less, because refining costs, business overhead, and profit margins are part of every transaction. A reputable buyer typically pays 75–95% of melt value depending on the piece and quantity.
Pro tip: Gold prices change daily. Check the spot price on the day you plan to sell, not the day you decide to sell. A $100 swing in gold per ounce can mean a $30–50 difference on a heavy bracelet.
How to Find the Karat Stamp on Your Jewelry
Every piece of gold jewelry sold in the U.S. is supposed to be stamped with its karat. Here's where to look:
- Rings: Inside the band, near the sizing mark.
- Necklaces and chains: On the clasp or the tag next to the clasp.
- Bracelets: On the clasp or the inside of a flat link near the clasp.
- Earrings: On the post or the back of the earring.
- Watches: On the case back or inside the case.
You might see the stamp written as "14K," "14KT," "14KP" (the P stands for "plumb," meaning exact purity), or a three-digit number like "585." All of these mean the same thing.
If there's no stamp, the piece could be gold-plated, gold-filled, or simply unmarked. A buyer with testing equipment can tell you in minutes.
Gold-Plated, Gold-Filled, and Solid Gold: Know the Difference
Not everything that looks gold is worth selling for scrap. Here's the difference:
- Solid gold is what we've been discussing. The entire piece is a gold alloy. This is where the real value is.
- Gold-filled (GF) pieces have a thick layer of gold bonded to a base metal, usually brass. By law, gold-filled items must contain at least 5% gold by weight. They have some value, but far less than solid gold. Look for stamps like "1/20 14K GF" or "1/10 12K GF."
- Gold-plated pieces have an extremely thin layer of gold over a base metal. The gold content is negligible. These are not worth selling to a gold buyer. Stamps include "GP," "GEP" (gold electroplate), or "HGE" (heavy gold electroplate).
- Vermeil is sterling silver with a gold plating. The silver has value, but the gold layer does not add much.
If you're not sure what you have, bring it in. A quick test takes the guesswork out of it.
Why Hawaii Residents Often Have Valuable Gold They Don't Realize
Hawaii has a unique relationship with gold jewelry. Several factors make it common for local families to have valuable gold pieces at home:
- Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. Many families in Hawaii have roots in Japan, China, the Philippines, Korea, and other cultures where gold jewelry is a traditional gift for weddings, births, and milestones. These pieces are often high-karat (18K, 22K, or even 24K), which means they carry more gold per gram than typical mainland U.S. jewelry.
- Military connections. Hawaii's large military community means families often have jewelry purchased overseas in Germany, Italy, Japan, or Korea. European gold is commonly 18K. Asian gold is often 22K or 24K. Both are worth significantly more per gram than the 10K and 14K pieces common on the mainland.
- Inherited collections. Multi-generational families in Hawaii frequently pass down gold jewelry, coins, and watches. Many of these pieces sit in drawers and safe deposit boxes for decades. With gold trading near all-time highs, now is a strong time to have them appraised.
5 Things to Do Before You Sell Gold Jewelry in Honolulu
- Know the spot price. Check gold's current price per ounce before you walk in. A quick Google search for "gold price today" will show you the live number.
- Weigh your pieces at home. A kitchen scale that measures in grams gives you a starting point. This isn't exact (a buyer's scale will be calibrated and certified), but it helps you estimate.
- Separate by karat. If you have multiple pieces, group them by karat before you go. A 10K chain and an 18K bracelet are worth very different amounts per gram.
- Don't clean or polish. Leave your pieces as they are. Cleaning doesn't change the gold content, and aggressive polishing can actually remove material from plated items.
- Get more than one quote. Any honest buyer will encourage you to shop around. If someone pressures you to sell on the spot, walk away.
Red Flags When Selling Gold
Watch out for these warning signs:
- No scale visible. A reputable buyer weighs your pieces in front of you on a calibrated scale. If they take your jewelry to a back room, that's a problem.
- Won't explain the math. You should be able to see the karat, the weight, the spot price, and the percentage of melt value they're offering. If a buyer can't walk you through the calculation, move on.
- Lowball first offers. Some shops offer 40–50% of melt value hoping you don't know better. A fair offer for most jewelry falls between 75% and 90% of melt value.
- "Cash for gold" mail-in services. You lose control of your pieces the moment you drop them in the mail. Disputes are common, and you have no leverage once your gold is in someone else's hands.
Sell Your Gold Jewelry to a Trusted Honolulu Buyer
Honolulu Coin Buyers pays competitive prices for gold jewelry in any karat, any condition. Broken chains, single earrings, class rings, dental gold, old watches — we buy it all.
Every transaction starts with a free appraisal. We weigh your pieces on a certified scale right in front of you, test the karat, and show you exactly how we arrive at our offer. No pressure, no obligation. If you don't like the number, you walk out with your gold.
Call 808-215-4048 or visit us in Honolulu. Walk-ins welcome. We also buy silver jewelry, platinum, coins, and estate collections.